Pinterest isn’t just a platform for inspiration—it’s a powerful search engine that can drive consistent, long-term traffic to affiliate links. But one question keeps coming up: Do affiliate links on Pinterest get lower rankings? The good news? Pinterest allows affiliate marketing, and if done correctly, you can monetize without hurting your reach.
Let’s dive into how Pinterest affiliate marketing works, how to maximize visibility, and which strategies help you succeed in 2025.
Does Pinterest Penalize Affiliate Links?
There’s a common misconception that Pinterest suppresses pins with affiliate links. However, Pinterest has explicitly confirmed that affiliate links are allowed, provided they meet the platform’s guidelines (Pinterest Help Center).
That said, spammy behavior—like overposting affiliate pins, using misleading links, or failing to provide value—can trigger algorithm penalties. The key is to focus on quality, not just commissions.
💡 Tip: Instead of only posting affiliate links, mix in value-driven content like blog posts, product reviews, and how-to guides to keep engagement high.
How to Do Pinterest Affiliate Marketing the Right Way
1. Choose the Right Affiliate Programs
Not all affiliate programs perform well on Pinterest. Look for visual-friendly products from platforms like:
- Amazon Associates – Works well for a wide range of products.
- RewardStyle (LTK) – Popular for fashion and home decor influencers.
- ShareASale & Rakuten – Great for lifestyle, tech, and home goods.
- BrandU – A influencer-first platform that simplifies affiliate marketing with shoppable links, real-time analytics, and seamless brand partnerships. Unlike traditional affiliate networks, BrandU helps creators track performance and withdraw instantly and offers exclusive brand deals tailored for nano and micro-influencers.
| Platform | Best for | Key Features | Creator-Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Associates | Broad product range | Wide audience, easy setup | Medium (delayed payouts) |
| RewardStyle (LTK) | Fashion/Home decor | High-end brands, curated campaigns | High (for macro-creators) |
| ShareASale/Rakuten | Lifestyle/Tech | Diverse niches, established network | Medium |
| BrandU | Nano/Micro-influencers | Real-time analytics, instant withdrawals, exclusive deals | ★★★★★ (Yes!) |
Products with high search intent on Pinterest (e.g. fashion, beauty, home decor) tend to perform best.
2. Optimize Pins for Search Rankings
Since Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, SEO matters! Here’s how to make your affiliate pins discoverable:
- Use high-quality images (vertical format, 2:3 ratio).
- Write keyword-rich descriptions (e.g. “Best home office gadgets for productivity”).
- Add relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
- Create engaging pin titles that encourage clicks.
According to Pinterest Business, pins with detailed descriptions get 30% more engagement than those without (Pinterest Business Guide).
3. Disclose Affiliate Links Properly
To stay compliant with Pinterest’s policies and FTC guidelines, always disclose affiliate relationships. A simple “This post contains affiliate links” in your pin description keeps things transparent and builds audience trust.
Pinterest’s algorithm favors trustworthy content, so honesty helps your rankings, not hurts them.
4. Create Idea Pins for More Engagement
Pinterest’s Idea Pins (formerly Story Pins) allow creators to share multi-page, interactive content. While these don’t support direct links, you can:
- ✅ Include a CTA like “Check the link in my bio!”
- ✅ Create step-by-step guides that build trust before directing traffic to affiliate pages.
- ✅ Use them to drive more traffic to linked blog posts, where you can include multiple affiliate links.
According to Hootsuite, Idea Pins get 9x more engagement than standard pins.
Best Practices to Avoid Getting Flagged
| 🚫 Avoid Penalties | ✅ Safe & Recommended |
|---|---|
| Spamming affiliate pins | Mix 70% value content + 30% affiliate |
| Using shortened URLs | Direct affiliate links |
| Hiding disclosures | FTC-compliant labels (e.g., “#ad”) |
| Broken/expired links | Monthly link audits |
- 🚫 Avoid excessive affiliate pinning – Mix in organic content and value-driven pins.
- 🚫 Don’t use shortened URLs – Pinterest prefers direct affiliate links for transparency.
- 🚫 Update outdated links – Broken or expired links can hurt rankings and user experience.
Pinterest rewards creators who provide value, so the key is to blend affiliate marketing with genuinely helpful content.
Make Money by Pinterest Affiliate with BrandU
BrandU offers real-time analytics to help creators and brands track campaign performance and optimize and withdraw in real-time. Getting started is quick and easy—no long application process required. Once you join, you can create shoppable links to share products you love. These links make it simple for followers to shop, and you earn commissions on every sale.
Whether you have a large or small audience, BrandU helps anyone connect with brands and monetize your social media effortlessly. Tap into BrandU’s resources to connect with fresh audiences and grow your influence like never before.
FAQ
- Q: Does Pinterest suppress pins or lower rankings just because they contain affiliate links?
A: No. Pinterest explicitly allows affiliate links if they follow platform guidelines. Penalties occur only for spammy behavior (e.g., overposting, misleading links, low-value content), not for compliant affiliate links themselves. - Q: What types of affiliate products perform best on Pinterest?
A: Visual-friendly products in high-intent categories like fashion, beauty, home decor, lifestyle, and tech. Platforms like Amazon Associates, RewardStyle (LTK), ShareASale, Rakuten, and BrandU are recommended for these niches. - Q: How can I optimize my affiliate pins for better visibility on Pinterest?
A: Use high-quality vertical images (2:3 ratio), write keyword-rich descriptions and titles, add relevant hashtags, and ensure proper disclosure. Detailed descriptions alone can boost engagement by 30%. - Q: Can I use Pinterest Idea Pins for affiliate marketing even though they don’t support direct links?
A: Yes. Use Idea Pins to showcase products via step-by-step guides or tutorials, include CTAs like “Link in bio,” and drive traffic to a blog post or profile page housing your affiliate links. They generate 9x more engagement than standard pins. - Q: What are the top practices to avoid getting flagged by Pinterest’s algorithm?
A: Avoid excessive affiliate pinning (mix in organic content), use direct (unshortened) affiliate links for transparency, update broken links promptly, and always disclose affiliate relationships clearly to comply with FTC and Pinterest policies.