What You Should Know About Hashtags on Pinterest

If you’re using Pinterest to grow your blog, business, or personal brand, you’ve probably wondered: Should I still be using hashtags on Pinterest? The short answer? Not the way you think.

Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where hashtags are still core to content discovery, Pinterest has evolved. In fact, Pinterest itself has shifted its stance on hashtags over the years—and in 2025, using them the wrong way can hurt more than help.

At PinMySEO, I work with creators and brands to build Pinterest strategies that focus on long-term growth. One of the first things we help clients do is clean up outdated hashtag tactics and replace them with content that actually ranks in search.

If you’re confused about Pinterest hashtags or still tagging every pin with 10 random words, this guide is for you. Let’s break down everything you need to know about hashtags on Pinterest—what works, what doesn’t, and what to focus on instead.

The History of Hashtags on Pinterest (Why People Still Use Them)

Back in 2017, Pinterest officially encouraged users to add hashtags to pin descriptions. At the time, it worked similarly to Instagram—users could click hashtags and discover trending content within that tag.

This led to a wave of creators adding 10 to 20 hashtags to every pin.

But by mid-2020, Pinterest started rolling that feature back. Clickable hashtags were deprioritized, and Pinterest’s engineering team made it clear they were shifting focus back to traditional keyword-based search.

Today in 2025, hashtags on Pinterest are no longer actively supported. That means:

  • They’re no longer clickable in search results
  • Pinterest does not use hashtags as a ranking signal
  • Adding them does not increase discoverability
  • In some cases, they may confuse the algorithm

And yet, many users—especially those coming from Instagram—still copy-paste long blocks of hashtags into every pin.

If that sounds like you, it’s time to rethink your strategy.

What Pinterest Says About Hashtags

According to Pinterest’s official Creator and Business Help Center:

“Hashtags are no longer recommended for pin descriptions. Instead, focus on keywords and complete sentences to help your content get discovered.”

This is important. Pinterest is a visual search engine—not a social media feed. Its algorithm prioritizes:

  • Keyword relevance
  • User engagement (saves, clicks)
  • Pin quality
  • Board context

So when Pinterest says “no need for hashtags,” they mean it.

At PinMySEO, we’ve tested this repeatedly. Pins without hashtags—when properly optimized with keywords—consistently outperform hashtag-stuffed posts.

Why Hashtags Don’t Work on Pinterest (Anymore)

To understand why hashtags don’t help on Pinterest, it’s helpful to compare it to platforms that still rely on them.

Pinterest = Search Engine

Pinterest’s algorithm works more like Google or YouTube. It scans your text (title, description, board, alt text) and indexes your pin based on keywords.

Instagram/TikTok = Social Discovery

Hashtags here are used to group content and help users follow niche topics. Their algorithms surface posts based on trends and tags.

Pinterest dropped hashtags because:

  • Users weren’t clicking them
  • They cluttered descriptions
  • Keywords performed better in testing

This is why Pinterest now recommends clear, sentence-based descriptions with natural keywords—not hashtags.

What to Use Instead of Hashtags

If hashtags aren’t helping, what should you use?

Here’s what to focus on instead:

1. Keyword-Rich Descriptions

This is your main opportunity to tell Pinterest what your content is about.

Write in natural language. Include 1–2 main keywords plus secondary phrases. Avoid keyword stuffing.

Example (for a fashion blog post):
Discover 7 cozy winter outfit ideas you can recreate with pieces you already own. From oversized knits to layered trench coats, these looks are perfect for staying stylish and warm.

Not only does this sound human—it’s full of searchable terms.

2. Optimized Titles

Pinterest uses your pin title to determine search relevance. Make sure your keyword appears near the beginning and speaks to the benefit.

Good:
“10 Minimalist Outfit Ideas for Busy Women”
Not-so-good:
“My Daily Style Diary #OOTD #Minimal #Chic”

At PinMySEO, we help clients craft keyword-forward titles that get clicks—without sounding robotic.

3. SEO-Optimized Boards

Your boards matter more than your hashtags ever will.

Pinterest looks at:

  • The board title
  • The board description
  • The pins saved to it

If your pin is saved to a well-optimized board, Pinterest will better understand what your pin is about.

For example:
Board title: “Budget-Friendly Home Decor”
Board description: “Ideas for decorating your home on a budget, including DIY projects, thrift flips, and cozy minimalist styles.”

Avoid vague board names like “Inspo” or “Cute Stuff.”

4. Fresh Pin Designs

Pinterest values freshness. Even if your URL is the same, a new image, new title, or updated description gives it a boost.

Instead of creating one pin and copying it everywhere with 10 hashtags, create:

  • 3–5 different designs
  • Unique text overlays
  • Different keyword angles in the description

This expands your reach and makes your content more search-friendly.

5. Idea Pins for Engagement

While they don’t include links (yet), Idea Pins are shown more often in home feeds and help grow your Pinterest presence.

Use keywords in:

  • The title
  • Slide text
  • Notes section (under the pin)

Hashtags here also don’t help—focus on storytelling, design, and keyword clarity.

Should You Remove Old Hashtags from Your Pins?

If you’ve already published pins with hashtags, don’t panic. You don’t need to delete them all—but it’s worth cleaning up your best-performing content.

Here’s what I recommend:

  • Identify your top 20 pins by link clicks
  • Remove hashtags from the descriptions
  • Rewrite the description with full, keyword-rich sentences
  • Save the updated pin to the same board or a relevant secondary board

At PinMySEO, we’ve seen clients recover traffic simply by updating older pins with better SEO—and removing hashtags in the process.

Will Hashtags Ever Come Back to Pinterest?

Never say never, but it’s unlikely. Pinterest’s product roadmap is focused on:

  • Search intent
  • Shopping integration
  • Predictive AI recommendations
  • Visual discovery and camera search

Hashtags don’t fit into that long-term strategy.

Pinterest wants users to type a question or phrase into the search bar—and find visually compelling, keyword-optimized content. That’s why content strategy in 2025 should be focused on Pinterest SEO, not social tagging.

How We Help Clients at PinMySEO

When creators come to me stuck with low reach or outdated strategies, here’s what we fix first:

  1. Keyword research for their niche and audience
  2. Pin title and description rewrites
  3. Hashtag cleanup and strategy replacement
  4. Content planning based on Pinterest Trends
  5. Custom Pinterest graphics that stop scrolls
  6. Traffic analytics and pin tracking setup

And the result? More search traffic, more saves, and more clicks—without needing hashtags at all.

Stop Worrying About Hashtags. Start Focusing on Keywords.

If you’re still copying over 10 hashtags to every pin, hoping for a traffic spike—it’s time to pivot.

Pinterest in 2025 rewards:

  • Helpful, SEO-friendly descriptions
  • Engaging titles
  • Well-organized boards
  • Fresh content created regularly

That’s what drives long-term success—not hashtags.

Want help fixing your Pinterest content and growing your organic traffic the smart way?

Visit PinMySEO.com — we help bloggers, brands, and content creators turn their Pinterest profiles into strategic traffic sources using the right blend of SEO, design, and data.

No trends. No gimmicks. Just a real system that works.

Louis Dioso