Join an affiliate program, write a helpful page (a review, gift guide or roundup) with your links on it, and make several pins that send people to that page. Say clearly that you earn from links, on the pin and on the page. Avoid link shorteners and pinning bare affiliate links over and over, since that looks like spam to Pinterest.
How Pinterest affiliate marketing works
You join an affiliate program, get a special link to a product, and earn a small cut when someone buys through it. On Pinterest, your pin is what gets people to that link.
It fits Pinterest well because people come to Pinterest to plan purchases: what to buy for the new apartment, which stroller, what to give Dad. A pin that answers that question at the right moment can earn for a long time.
Is affiliate marketing allowed on Pinterest?
Yes. Pinterest allows affiliate links, with a few conditions that come from its spam rules and from the law in many countries:
- Disclose it. Say plainly that you may earn from the link, for example "I earn a commission if you buy through this link". In the US, the FTC expects this, and Pinterest asks for it too.
- Don't hide the link. Link shorteners and redirect tricks are a fast way to get pins removed. Use the full link, or link to your own page.
- Don't spam it. Pinning the same affiliate link over and over, across many boards, in a short time looks like spam even if each pin is different.
- Follow the program's own rules. Each affiliate program has terms about where and how you can share links. Read them before you pin.
Direct links or a blog post: which works better?
There are two ways to do it, and for most people the second one wins.
| Direct affiliate link | Link to your own page | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Pin goes straight to the product | Pin goes to your review or guide, which links to the product |
| Setup | Fast, no website needed | Needs a blog or simple site |
| Earnings per click | Lower: people haven't been convinced yet | Higher: your advice does the selling |
| Risk | Higher: more likely to look like spam, and you depend on one program's rules | Lower: you own the page and can swap links |
| Long-term value | Each pin earns from one product | Each page can earn from many products, plus ads and email |
If you have no website yet, direct links are a fine way to test a niche. But if you're serious, a simple blog with honest, helpful pages is worth building. It's also how you protect yourself when a program changes its rules.
What about Amazon affiliate links on Pinterest?
Amazon Associates is the program most beginners start with. Amazon's rules change from time to time, so check its current operating agreement before you pin direct links. The safest approach, and the one that tends to earn more, is to pin your own page, like "The 12 best gifts for new dads", and put your Amazon links there with a clear disclosure.
Also know that Amazon's commission is lower than many other programs, and its cookie window is short. Programs run by individual brands, or networks like ShareASale, Impact and Awin, often pay more per sale for home, beauty and craft products.
What kind of pages and pins work best
The pages that earn are the ones that help someone decide. Those usually look like:
- Gift guides: "Gifts for gardeners under $50". These get a big seasonal bump, so start pinning in October for Christmas.
- Roundups: "The 10 best cozy throw blankets".
- Honest reviews: "I tested 5 stand mixers, here's the one I kept".
- How-tos that need tools: "How to start a sourdough starter (and the 4 things you need)".
- Room or outfit ideas with shoppable links: "Small boho bedroom on a budget".
For the pins themselves, show the result people want, not a product on a white background. A cozy, styled reading nook sells a throw blanket better than the blanket alone. Use clear text on the image ("Best gifts for new dads") and make three to five different pins per page.
Example: an affiliate pin, done right
Say you wrote a gift guide called "18 thoughtful gifts for new dads" with affiliate links to each gift. Here's what a good pin for it looks like:
| Part | What it says |
|---|---|
| Image | A styled flat lay of four gifts, with the text "Gifts new dads actually use" |
| Title | 18 thoughtful gifts for new dads (that they'll actually use) |
| Description | Practical, thoughtful gift ideas for first-time dads, from comfy loungewear to gadgets that make night feeds easier. Ideas for every budget. I may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page. |
| Link | Your gift guide page, not a single product |
| Board | Gifts for dads |
Make three or four more pins for the same guide with different photos and angles, like "Father's Day gifts for new dads" in May, and "Push present ideas for dad" for the baby crowd.
A simple plan for your first 90 days
- Pick one niche you know, like baby gear, home office or baking tools.
- Join one or two affiliate programs that fit it.
- Write five helpful pages: two gift guides, two roundups and one honest review.
- Find keywords with the Pinterest search bar (our Pinterest keywords guide shows how).
- Make three to five fresh pins for each page and post one or two a day.
- Add one new page every week or two, and keep making fresh pins for the pages that get clicks.
- After 90 days, look at which pages earn. Make more pages like those.
Mistakes that get affiliate pins hidden
- Using link shorteners or redirects to hide where a link goes.
- Forgetting to disclose that the link earns you money.
- Pinning the same link dozens of times in a day.
- Using product photos you don't have the right to use. Use your own photos or the ones the program gives you to share.
- Promising things the product can't do. "Lose 10 pounds in a week" is a quick way to get a pin removed.
Quick answers
Can you do Pinterest affiliate marketing without a blog?
Yes, with direct affiliate links, if the program allows it and you disclose it. A simple blog usually earns more per click and is safer long-term.
Do I need to disclose affiliate links on Pinterest?
Yes. Say plainly in the pin description that you may earn from the link. In the US the FTC expects it, and Pinterest asks for it too.
Can I use Amazon affiliate links on Pinterest?
Check Amazon's current operating agreement first, since its rules change. Linking pins to your own page with Amazon links on it is the safer route.
How much can you make with Pinterest affiliate marketing?
Most beginners earn little in the first few months. It grows with the number of helpful pages and fresh pins you have working for you.
