On the podcast, I share something I used to dismiss completely—Pinterest board sections. Yep, for years I thought they weren’t worth the time or effort. But like everything in the digital world, Pinterest has evolved, and so has my view. After a deep dive, direct access to Pinterest’s internal team, and a full six hours of research and note-taking, I’m here to tell you how to use Pinterest board sections strategically to make a big impact on your visibility and SEO.
What’s Changed in How Pinterest Recommends Using Boards
This episode was created in partnership with Pinterest as a Pinterest educator with their team. The partnership gives me access to the person who leads their internal strategy around boards. I had a lot of questions, like why Pinterest now recommends keeping 20-100 pins within each section or board. And the answers surprised me in a really good way.
The big shift? Most Pinterest users are on mobile, and they tend to scroll just three or four times before moving on. So when boards or sections have thousands of pins, your best content gets lost. Keeping pins between 20–100 per board or section makes your most relevant content more visible, and Pinterest’s internal data shows that boards within this range perform better.
How Pinterest Board Sections Work
Let’s talk about how Pinterest board sections are structured. If a board is like a digital binder of ideas, then sections are the tabs or dividers that make it easier to navigate. For instance, my “Backyard” board has two sections: one for patio ideas and one for gardening. That level of organization not only helps you stay tidy—it helps Pinterest better understand your content.
Related: How the Pinterest Algorithm Works
Why Board Sections Matter for SEO
Here’s where it gets really interesting: using Pinterest board sections effectively can boost your SEO. Pinterest confirmed that 25% of all Pinterest SEO traffic goes to boards. And now, when users search on the platform, boards are showing up at the top of results—sometimes even above individual pins. That means organizing and optimizing your boards isn’t just helpful—it’s strategic.
Should You Go Back and Reorganize Everything?
Not necessarily. If you’ve got thousands of pins in a board, don’t feel like you need to go back and sort them all into new sections. Instead, start fresh moving forward. Use Pinterest board sections in new or active boards, especially when pin counts begin to grow. It’s more realistic and still effective.
How to Use Pinterest Board Sections (The Right Way)
If you’re wondering how to use Pinterest board sections in your own profile, here’s a quick strategy:
- Create a board that aligns with your content goals
- Add sections once the board grows past 100 pins or has clear content themes
- Use descriptive section titles with relevant keywords
- Keep each section between 20–100 pins
- Use a variety of pin types—videos, images, collages, and product pins
Related: How to Use Pinterest Collages for Product Sales
Manual Pinning May Be Required
At this time, you can’t schedule pins directly to board sections—even with Pinterest’s built-in scheduler. So if you want to use board sections, you’ll need to do some manual pinning. Start with your top-performing board and optimize it first before expanding.
Optimizing Your Sections for Search
To make Pinterest board sections work in your favor, make sure your board and section names are clear, keyword-rich, and help people understand exactly what to expect. For example, a “Home Décor” board might have a section called “Bathroom Remodel Ideas.” The pins in this section would include content like “budget-friendly bathroom updates” or “modern bathroom tile inspiration.”
Related: How to Keyword on Pinterest
Try Different Pin Formats for Better Engagement
Pinterest now recommends diversifying pin types inside each section. That includes:
- Collages or mood boards (which are saved 2x more often than other pins)
- Product pins for sellers
- Video pins and step-by-step tutorials
- Lifestyle imagery that shows the product or idea in context
All of these support a better user experience and help your pins stand out in a crowded feed.
Related: Latest Pinterest Features Updates
Tips by Niche: How to Use Pinterest Board Sections Strategically
For content creators:
- Use colorful, high-quality imagery
- Include links wherever possible
- Group content into easy-to-navigate sections (e.g., “Weeknight Dinners,” “Vegan Breakfasts”)
For product sellers:
- Photograph your product in lifestyle settings (like a living room or garden)
- Mix inspirational content with product pins
- Include variations like color and use-case demos
Related: Pinterest Best Practices: Your Pin Strategy
Why This Shift Matters for Marketers
For a long time, we assumed Pinterest board sections were just for users organizing their own inspiration. But now it’s clear that using Pinterest board sections strategically can lead to higher engagement, more visibility in search, and ultimately more conversions—whether that’s clicks, saves, or sales.
My biggest piece of advice? Look at your Pinterest profile through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Are your boards organized in a way that makes sense? Do your sections make it easier for someone to find what they’re looking for? Are the most engaging, representative pins near the top?
Related: A Full Funnel Strategy for Pinterest
Start Small—It Still Makes a Difference
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Just choose one board, break it into sections, and apply what we’ve talked about today. See what kind of engagement you get, then move on to another board. That’s exactly what I’m doing with my own Pinterest profile.
This was a big episode with a lot of learning packed in, but the message is clear: Pinterest board sections are no longer optional. They’re a smart way to improve organization, boost SEO, and enhance the user experience. Whether you’re a creator or a seller, now’s the time to lean into this new best practice and give your Pinterest presence a solid refresh.
Citations from the Podcast Episode:
- “Gen Z is the fastest growing audience on Pinterest” -Pinterest analysis, global, June 2023. Gen Z was defined as ages 13-24 at the time of the analysis.
- “25% of Pinterest SEO traffic goes to boards” -Pinterest Internal data, Global, November 2024.
- “Boards updated within the last 3 months have been shown to drive higher Pin engagement” -Pinterest Internal data, Global, February 2024
- “Pinners save collages at 2x the rate of other pin types” -Pinterest Internal data, Global, Jan 2024.
Podcast Episode
Pinterest Board Sections
For further Pinterest Marketing Resources:
Simple Pin Media Services- Pinterest Account Deep Clean & Build
This information is SO useful. I have a question… what if you already have a separate board for the most obvious new section for a set of pins on a board you are organising? Create the section anyway, move them to the other board or start a new board and come up with a variation on the keyword for its name? Thank you!
And also… (sorry, my mind is whirring!) What if you have several hundred pins on a board? Start new boards and move them or just do sections for the top pins on a board? Thanks!
If a board has several hundred pins, you don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Instead, focus on future-forward organization by creating new sections as you go for the content you’ll continue pinning most often. If you already have a separate board on the same topic, you can either move the pins there or create a new section with a slightly different keyword to keep things organized but not redundant.
Hi Kate,
Thanks so much for this helpful article on using Pinterest board sections! I originally listened to this on your podcast and then came back to reread all the information. I’ve been using Pinterest since it was in beta, and I’ve collected thousands of pins on some of my boards. I’ve pinned an embarrassing amount, I’m talking like over 35K total pins over the years 🙈
With Pinterest now recommending 20–100 pins per board or section, I’m wondering how to handle these older, mega-sized boards. Should I start fresh with a new, more niche board and let the old one go quiet? Or is there a smart way to break those large boards into smaller, more strategic sections without losing their value (or driving myself crazy with organizing such large boards)? Here is my Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/pacecreative/
I’d love your take on how to best approach reorganizing these boards so they stay aligned with the current Pinterest strategy!
Thanks again,
Jen
Pinterest’s current recommendation of 20–100 pins applies to each section, not the board as a whole. For those older mega boards, there are a couple of ways you can go:
• If the content still fits under the same umbrella topic, try creating more new sections for your past and new content.
• If it’s evolved into a broader category, you can split it up into more focused, niche boards.
No need to delete old content or let boards go totally quiet, you can gradually shift focus and organize moving forward.
Thanks for clarifying! I was thinking what a nightmare it would be to reorganize a mega board, but I can easily start adding sections as I move forward.