What is a Fresh Pin on Pinterest?
There has been so much debate recently about Pinterest and the changes that have gone on. Pinterest has said they want to focus on fresh content. They noticed that users were fed up seeing the same few pins on their feed every time, and interacted more with fresh content. Fair enough, right? So what is a fresh pin on Pinterest?
Pinterest defines a fresh pin as an image that hasn’t been pinned before. The first time you pin a new image to a Pinterest board, it’s a fresh pin. If you then pin that same image on another board, it’s not a fresh pin. You can create a few images that link to the same blog post or product page and each of those would be fresh when saved to Pinterest for the first time.
There is a bit of a hierarchy when it comes to pins, a bit like a first, second and third best system.
The absolute best pin is a new image and new URL.
The second best pin is a new image for an old URL.
The next best pin is an existing image for an existing URL (or a Save).
Pinterest is prioritising the distribution of the these fresh pins over and above existing content, so it makes sense to get in there with your own fresh pins!
How do you make fresh pins?
An easy way to make fresh pins is with a graphic design programme like Canva. Pinterest prefers a vertical image sized in a 2:3 aspect ratio, with the best size being 1000 x 1500 px. If you set up some templates, you can quickly and easily create pins for your blog posts. Have a few sets of templates that you can alternate between so your feed doesn’t end up looking too samey. I like to make 10 new pins per blog post, but you don’t have to make that many. Most people make around 5-10, so make as many as you feel comfortable with. Each pin image should be targeted at a different audience, so make them different to try and attract a wider audience. If you don’t have time to make templates, why not check out Creative Market?
When it comes to pin design, try and keep the pin as simple as you can.
- Stick to two or three colours.
- Use a clearly legible font (I like to use Montserrat or League Spartan).
- Don’t use scripty fonts as they’re difficult to read, especially when viewed on a small screen like a mobile or tablet.
- Make sure you have an enticing headline on your pin, letting the reader know what to expect. Also, add in a call to action such as Learn More, Read More, Get Access Now, Download Now, Find Out More etc.
- Choose your image carefully. Remember, Pinterest is a place for inspiration and ideas, so using a blurry old cluttered photo to promote your pin won’t be inspiring. There are plenty of stock photo sites you can use – just make sure you have permission to use the photos! Try to use new images where possible, or even take your own.
How to Quickly Make Fresh Pins
You’ll often find that these second load of pins do slightly better than the first load, as Pinterest has indexed the URL they link to and so will be able to share the second batch of pins quicker as it already knows what to expect from the URL they link to.
TOP TIP: When you have made your pins, download them to your device before scheduling into Pinterest and change the file names to something that includes keywords relevant to your niche e.g. how-to-use-pinterest-wildflower-pinterest-management. This will further help with Pinterest SEO.
How Many Fresh Pins Should I Pin Per Day?
Unfortunately there is no set amount of pins, as different accounts perform in different ways and what works for one account might not work the same way for another. I know a lot of bloggers think they need 10 or more fresh pins each day, but this isn’t the case. If you only have 3 blog posts, you don’t want to be making so many pins!
Experiment with the number of fresh pins you pin. The main thing is to be consistent. If you can only manage 1 or 2 fresh pins a day, stick with that. If you have a lot of content or are a whizz at creating pins, you might be able to manage a few more. Try for 3-5 at first and see how that goes. Consistency is far more important than the number of pins, especially when you’re starting out.
Can I Pin the Same Pin to Different Boards?
Yes! Just because Pinterest is favouring fresh content doesn’t mean you can’t pin the same image to different relevant boards. You could create pins for a floral wedding cake which could be pinned to a wedding cakes board and a floral wedding board, or a summer weddings board, or a pink weddings board – you can repin an image to as many relevant boards as you like. Just be aware that the first time the image is pinned is when it will get most distribution, but pinning to different boards will increase your reach. Be sure to leave a decent amount of time (7-10 days plus) between pinning the same images so you don’t look spammy. Changing the pin image by adding in a sticker or a slight crop, as mentioned above, can also help the image to be viewed as fresh again by Pinterest.
Should We Be Repinning Other User’s Content?
There is a lot of confusion about whether we should still be repinning other user’s content. Personally I don’t see any harm in repinning carefully curated pins which would be of interest to your ideal client. If you have a wedding cakes account, for example, it could be good to pin some wedding inspiration boards as well as they’re related topics.
If you are on group boards or Tailwind Communities where you have to reciprocate pinning, you don’t have a choice really! You have to pin other user’s content. Just be mindful to focus on your own content. Again, there is no set number for the amount of your pins versus other users pins – it’s just trial and error and what works for one account might not work for another. I like to pin around 80% of my own content or client content.
Overall the Pinterest changes wanted to focus more on the user experience, which is why Pinterest is encouraging new ideas and fresh content.
Have you adapted your Pinterest strategy to include more fresh pins?
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