9 Types of Content That Work Best on Pinterest in 2025 (With Examples)

Not all content performs equally on Pinterest. After analyzing millions of pins and managing hundreds of Pinterest accounts, I've identified the exact types of content that consistently drive engagement, traffic, and sales. Here's your complete guide to creating Pinterest content that actually works.
Why Content Type Matters on Pinterest
Pinterest isn't just another social media platform—it's a visual search engine where people actively look for solutions, inspiration, and products. Understanding which content types resonate with Pinterest users is crucial for success.
The right content type can mean the difference between 100 views and 100,000 views. Let's dive into the 9 types of content that consistently perform best on Pinterest.
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1. How-To Guides & Tutorials
Why it works: Pinterest users are actively searching for solutions. How-to content directly answers their questions and provides actionable value.
Best Performing How-To Topics:
- "How to [achieve specific result] in [timeframe]"
- "Step-by-step guide to [solve problem]"
- "Beginner's guide to [topic]"
- "How to [task] without [common obstacle]"
Example: "How to Grow Your Email List from 0 to 1,000 Subscribers in 30 Days" or "Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Budget That Actually Works"
Pro tip: Break complex processes into numbered steps and use clear, action-oriented language in your pin titles.
2. Infographics & Data Visualizations
Why it works: Infographics are highly shareable, easy to digest, and perfect for Pinterest's visual format. They get saved and shared more than almost any other content type.
What makes a great Pinterest infographic:
- Vertical format: 2:3 ratio (1000x1500px) works best
- Clear hierarchy: Title at top, sections clearly divided
- Scannable content: Bullet points, icons, and white space
- Branded elements: Logo and website URL included
Example: "10 Statistics Every Small Business Owner Should Know in 2025" or "The Ultimate Social Media Posting Schedule [Infographic]"
3. List Posts & Roundups
Why it works: List posts promise quick, organized information. They're easy to scan and save for later reference.
High-Performing List Post Formats:
- "X Ways to [achieve goal]"
- "X Things You Need for [project/goal]"
- "X [Items] Every [Target Audience] Needs"
- "X Best [Products/Tools] for [Purpose]"
Example: "25 Budget-Friendly Home Decor Ideas Under $50" or "15 Productivity Tools Every Entrepreneur Should Use"
Sweet spot: Lists with 7-25 items perform best. Odd numbers (especially 7, 11, 15) tend to get more engagement.
4. Recipe & Food Content
Why it works: Food is one of Pinterest's most popular categories. Recipe pins get saved repeatedly as users plan meals and special occasions.
Recipe content that performs best:
- Quick & easy recipes: "30-minute meals" or "5-ingredient recipes"
- Dietary-specific: Keto, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb
- Seasonal content: Holiday recipes, summer BBQ ideas
- Meal prep guides: Weekly meal planning and batch cooking
Pro tip: Use Rich Pins for recipes to automatically include ingredients, cooking time, and serving size directly on the pin.
5. DIY Projects & Crafts
Why it works: DIY content inspires action and gets saved for future projects. It's perfect for Pinterest's "plan and do" user behavior.
Top DIY categories on Pinterest:
- Home improvement and renovation projects
- Furniture makeovers and upcycling
- Holiday decorations and seasonal crafts
- Gift ideas and handmade presents
- Organization and storage solutions
Example: "DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table for Under $100" or "Easy Mason Jar Crafts for Beginners"
6. Product Pins & Shopping Content
Why it works: 89% of Pinterest users use the platform for purchase inspiration. Product pins directly connect inspiration to purchase.
Product content strategies that convert:
- Product roundups: "Best [products] for [purpose]"
- Gift guides: Curated collections for specific recipients
- Product comparisons: Side-by-side feature analysis
- Lifestyle shots: Products in real-life settings
Pro tip: Use Product Pins (Rich Pins) to include real-time pricing, availability, and direct purchase links.
7. Inspirational Quotes & Motivational Content
Why it works: Quote pins are highly shareable and get saved to personal inspiration boards. They're perfect for building brand awareness.
Quote content best practices:
- Keep it short: 10-15 words maximum for easy reading
- Beautiful design: Clean typography with complementary backgrounds
- Brand consistently: Use your brand colors and include logo
- Link strategically: Direct to relevant blog content or landing pages
Warning: Don't rely solely on quote pins. Mix them with actionable content for best results.
8. Before & After Transformations
Why it works: Transformation content provides visual proof of results. It's incredibly engaging and inspires action.
Popular transformation categories:
- Home renovations and room makeovers
- Furniture restoration and painting projects
- Garden and outdoor space transformations
- Organization and decluttering results
- Business growth and analytics improvements
Design tip: Use a clear split-screen or side-by-side layout with "Before" and "After" labels.
9. Checklists & Printables
Why it works: Checklists and printables provide immediate, actionable value. They're perfect lead magnets and get saved repeatedly.
High-performing checklist topics:
- Daily, weekly, or monthly planning templates
- Event planning checklists (weddings, parties, moves)
- Cleaning and organization schedules
- Budget trackers and financial planners
- Business and productivity worksheets
Strategy: Offer free printables in exchange for email addresses to build your list while providing value.
How to Mix Content Types for Maximum Results
Don't just stick to one content type. The most successful Pinterest accounts use a strategic mix:
The 60-30-10 Content Rule
Educational Content
How-to guides, tutorials, infographics, and list posts that provide value and establish expertise.
Inspirational Content
Before/after transformations, DIY projects, quotes, and aspirational content that motivates saves.
Promotional Content
Product pins, service offerings, and direct sales content. Keep this minimal to avoid appearing spammy.
Common Content Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Creating Horizontal Images
Pinterest is a vertical platform. Horizontal images get cut off and perform poorly. Always use 2:3 ratio (1000x1500px).
❌ Using Too Much Text on Pins
Cluttered pins with tiny text don't perform well. Keep text large, readable, and minimal. Focus on one clear message.
❌ Ignoring Pinterest SEO
Even great content won't perform without proper keywords in titles, descriptions, and board names. Pinterest is a search engine first.
❌ Posting Inconsistently
Pinterest rewards consistent activity. Posting sporadically won't build momentum. Aim for 10-15 pins daily using a scheduler like Tailwind.
Essential Tools for Creating Pinterest Content
Design Tools
- Canva Pro (templates & brand kit)
- Adobe Express (quick graphics)
- Visme (infographics)
Scheduling Tools
- Tailwind (SmartSchedule & analytics)
- Pinterest Native Scheduler
- Later (visual planning)
Keyword Research
- Pinterest Search Bar (autocomplete)
- Pinterest Trends
- Google Keyword Planner
Analytics Tools
- Pinterest Analytics (native)
- Tailwind Analytics
- Google Analytics (traffic tracking)
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Key Takeaways
- Mix content types using the 60-30-10 rule for best results
- How-to guides and tutorials consistently drive the most traffic
- Infographics and list posts get saved and shared most frequently
- Product pins convert best when mixed with educational content
- Vertical format (2:3 ratio) is essential for all content types
- Consistency matters more than perfection—post regularly
- Use scheduling tools like Tailwind to maintain consistency
- Test different content types and double down on what works for your audience
Start Creating Content That Works
The key to Pinterest success isn't creating more content—it's creating the right content. Focus on these 9 proven content types, maintain consistency, and optimize for Pinterest SEO.
Remember: Pinterest users are actively searching for solutions, inspiration, and products. When you provide valuable content in the formats they prefer, you'll naturally attract engaged followers and drive consistent traffic to your website.
Start with 2-3 content types that align with your business goals, master those, then expand to others. Quality and consistency will always beat quantity.
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Written by Pinterest marketing experts who have created and optimized thousands of pins across multiple niches. Our team specializes in data-driven Pinterest strategies that deliver measurable results.
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