Don't Start Pinterest Marketing Before Checking These 5 Metrics

You're ready to dive into Pinterest marketing. You've heard the success stories, seen the traffic potential, and you're excited to start pinning. But wait—before you invest time, money, or hire a Pinterest manager, there are 5 critical metrics you absolutely must check first.

Starting Pinterest marketing without auditing these metrics is like building a house on sand. You might see some initial results, but without a solid foundation, your efforts will crumble. I've seen countless businesses waste months (and thousands of dollars) because they skipped this crucial audit step.

Let me show you exactly what to check before you start, so you can build a Pinterest strategy that actually works from day one.

Why These Metrics Matter More Than You Think

Pinterest isn't just another social media platform—it's a visual search engine. And like any search engine, success depends on having the right foundation. These 5 metrics will tell you whether your account is ready for growth, or if you need to fix fundamental issues first.

Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. Pilots don't skip their checklist, and neither should you. Let's dive into each metric and why it matters.

Metric #1: Account Health Score (Claimed Website Status)

What to check: Is your website claimed on Pinterest? Do you have a verified business account?

This is the foundation of everything. An unclaimed website means you're missing out on critical analytics, your pins won't show your branding, and Pinterest's algorithm won't prioritize your content. It's like trying to run a business without a business license.

How to fix it: Go to Settings → Claimed Accounts → Claim your website. Add the HTML tag or upload the verification file. This takes 5 minutes but unlocks everything.

Metric #2: Pin Quality Score (Engagement Rate)

What to check: What's your average engagement rate per pin? (Saves + Clicks + Closeups / Impressions)

Pinterest's algorithm rewards pins that people actually engage with. If your current pins have low engagement (below 2%), creating more pins won't help—you'll just be creating more low-quality content that the algorithm ignores.

I've audited accounts with 10,000 pins and zero traffic because every single pin had terrible engagement. More isn't better—better is better.

How to improve it: Audit your top 20 pins. What do they have in common? Better images? Clearer text overlays? More compelling titles? Double down on what works, eliminate what doesn't.

Metric #3: Domain Authority (Pinterest's Trust Score)

What to check: How long has your domain been on Pinterest? What's your historical performance?

Pinterest has a memory. If your domain has been flagged for spam, has a history of low-quality pins, or violated guidelines in the past, you're starting with a handicap. New domains start neutral, but damaged domains start in the negative.

I've seen accounts that couldn't gain traction for months because they had historical spam flags from previous owners or bad Pinterest practices years ago.

How to check it: Look at your Pinterest Analytics → Overview. Check for any sudden drops in impressions or engagement. Review your email for any Pinterest warnings or notifications about account quality.

Metric #4: Content-Market Fit (Audience Alignment)

What to check: Is your content actually what Pinterest users are searching for?

This is where most businesses fail. They create content they think is valuable, but Pinterest users aren't searching for it. It's like opening a steakhouse in a vegan neighborhood—great product, wrong audience.

Use Pinterest Trends to check if your topics have search volume. If your main content categories show "Low" or "Declining" interest, you're fighting an uphill battle.

If your content doesn't align with what Pinterest users want, no amount of pinning will save you. You need to pivot your content strategy first.

Metric #5: Technical SEO Foundation (Pin Optimization)

What to check: Are your pins optimized for Pinterest's search algorithm?

Pinterest is a search engine, which means SEO matters. But most people treat it like Instagram—pretty pictures with vague captions. That's a recipe for zero traffic.

Check your existing pins for these technical SEO elements:

• •Keyword-rich titles: Do your pin titles include the exact phrases people search for?
• •Detailed descriptions: Are you using all 500 characters with relevant keywords?
• •Alt text: Are you adding alt text to every pin for accessibility and SEO?
• •Board optimization: Are your board names and descriptions keyword-optimized?
• •Rich Pins: Have you enabled Rich Pins for your website?

If you're missing these elements, you're invisible to Pinterest's search algorithm. It's like having a store with no sign—people can't find you even if they're looking.

What to Do After Your Audit

Now that you've checked these 5 metrics, you'll fall into one of three categories:

Need Help With Your Pinterest Audit?

If you're in the yellow or red zone, don't panic. Most accounts need work before they're ready to scale. The good news? Once you fix these foundational issues, growth becomes exponentially easier.

Our Pinterest marketing services include a comprehensive audit of all 5 metrics, plus a custom action plan to fix any issues. We'll handle the technical setup, optimize your existing content, and build a growth strategy that actually works for your business.

The Bottom Line

Pinterest marketing can transform your business—but only if you start with a solid foundation. These 5 metrics are your pre-flight checklist. Skip them, and you're flying blind.

Take 30 minutes today to audit your account. Check each metric honestly. If you're not passing at least 4 out of 5, fix the issues before you invest in growth.

Remember: Pinterest rewards quality over quantity. A well-optimized account with 100 pins will outperform a broken account with 10,000 pins every single time.

Start with the audit. Fix what's broken. Then scale with confidence.

Your Pinterest success starts with these 5 metrics. Don't skip them.