Are your Pinterest pins getting lost in the scroll? Tired of spending hours editing photos, only to see them underperform? Do you feel like you are in a time crunch and need a way to get your content noticed? In my 7 years as a Pinterest marketing consultant, I’ve seen countless businesses struggle with this. The solution? Using AI photo filters strategically. I’m going to show you 3 ways to use them to boost your engagement.
1. Diagnosing Low Engagement: Check These Filters First
Before slapping on just any AI filter, let’s diagnose the problem. Pins often fail for 3 reasons: poor lighting, distracting backgrounds, or lack of visual interest. I remember last year working with an e-commerce client, and the main issue with their images was the poor lighting that hid the features of the product.
Start by asking yourself:
- Is the lighting clear and inviting? If not, a filter that brightens and sharpens can help.
- Does the background clutter the image? Try filters with background blurring or replacement.
- Does the image lack personality? Add a stylistic filter that fits your brand.
I generally use Adobe Photoshop to improve lighting and background, as well as add unique filters.
2. 3 Hot AI Filter Techniques for Pinterest Success
Okay, now for the fun part! These 3 techniques are driving results right now:
- The “Pop of Color” Filter: This emphasizes the main subject by boosting its colors while muting the background. Think vibrant clothing against a muted city street. One of my clients used this strategy on a series of pins that led to a 62% increase in click-through rate compared to other pins.
- The “Dreamy Aesthetic” Filter: Use this for lifestyle and inspirational content. It adds a soft glow and slightly blurs the edges, creating a sense of calm. My coworker recently tested this on her personal account and was able to generate nearly 1500 views.
- The “Illustrated Look” Filter: This turns your photo into a cartoon or painting. Great for grabbing attention in a busy feed.
Experiment with these techniques and see what resonates with your audience. It really is a trial and error system.
3. Measuring Filter Performance: What the Data Tells You (Plus a Google Analytics Trick)
Here’s where most people drop the ball. Don’t just apply filters and hope for the best! You need to track which filters are working. Speaking from experience, this can be very tedious, but it is well worth it. I usually have an intern keep track of the data, but the task is ultimately up to you!
Create a simple spreadsheet to track:
- Pin Image
- Filter Used
- Click-Through Rate (CTR)
- Save Rate
After about a month, you’ll start seeing trends. Ditch the underperformers and double down on what works. If a pin performs poorly, simply change the filter and monitor it again.
Pin Image | Filter Used | Click-Through Rate (CTR) | Save Rate | Personal Recommendation |
Image of a living room with plants | Dreamy Aesthetic | 2.5% | 1.8% | Looks great, but A/B test with slightly less blur. I felt it was a little too much. |
Close-up of a chocolate cake | Pop of Color | 3.1% | 2.2% | Perfect! The colors really make the cake stand out. |
Hand-drawn illustration of a cat | Illustrated Look | 1.9% | 1.5% | Good concept, but the style might not fit our brand. Consider testing other illustration styles. |
Modern Kitchen | Dreamy Aesthetic | 1.0% | 0.5% | I think we should remove this one. It is very difficult to see the features of the kitchen. |
Vintage Car | Pop of Color | 3.2% | 2.5% | Excellent – use these in our email marketing campaign. |
Source: Pinterest Analytics, Manually Audited |
4. Advanced Pinterest Pin Optimization: Think Like an Algorithm (Plus a Secret Keyword Hack)
Okay, let’s go beyond the basics. Pinterest’s algorithm loves pins that are:
- Visually appealing: Filters help with this!
- Relevant to search terms: Use keywords in your pin title, description, and alt text. I used to undervalue this, but now I make it a priority!
- Consistent with your brand: Maintain a cohesive visual style.
Here’s a secret keyword hack: use Pinterest’s search bar to see what terms people are actually searching for. For example, if you’re selling “boho dresses,” type that into the search bar and see what related terms pop up (e.g., “boho dresses for women,” “boho dresses summer”). Incorporate these into your pin descriptions. This can be quite effective for your engagement and reach.
5. The Power of Consistency: Building a Pinterest Strategy (and Why 3 Pins a Day Is Your Magic Number)
Pinterest isn’t a “set it and forget it” platform. To see real results, you need to be consistent. The algorithm rewards accounts that are active and engaged. This is something that takes time to build, but will prove to be worth it in the end.
Aim to post at least 3 pins a day. This might seem like a lot, but it gives you more opportunities to reach your target audience. My team and I generally create 5 pins per day to ensure we are meeting expectations. Also, utilize Buffer to schedule all of your posts.
Pin Category | Ideal Posting Frequency | Best Time to Post (EST) | Content Theme | Personal Suggestion |
Product Promotion | 1 pin per day | 11 AM – 1 PM | Highlight new arrivals, sales, or customer testimonials | Focus on lifestyle shots showing the product in use. I have had trouble with this in the past, but this style pin tends to do well. |
Blog Content | 1 pin every other day | 2 PM – 4 PM | Share valuable information, tips, or tutorials | Use eye-catching graphics and a clear call to action. |
Inspirational Content | 1 pin per day | 8 PM – 10 PM | Share quotes, travel photos, or motivational content | Keep the visuals consistent with your brand aesthetic. |
Source: Pinterest Best Practices 2024, Sprout Social, Personal Analytics |