Home / Resources / Guides / Pinterest Ads
2026 guide · Pinterest Ads
Pinterest Ads best practices for 2026 for brands people plan around
Pinterest is where people plan: kitchens, weddings, nurseries, next season's wardrobe. That intent makes it a sneaky-good performance channel. Here's how to win on it in 2026.
THE SHORT VERSION
Plan early, test Performance+.
- Test Performance+ against your current setup. Pinterest now recommends it as the default.
- Get your catalog and tracking in great shape before you scale.
- Launch seasonal campaigns early. Pinners plan weeks or months ahead.
WHAT CHANGED
What changed in 2026
Pinterest doubled down on automation and shopping this year.
Performance+ as the default
Pinterest is encouraging advertisers to make Performance+ their default, citing 10%+ better CPC and CPA in its own internal tests.
Source: Pinterest Business
Native A/B testing
A native A/B testing tool entered beta in Ads Manager, letting advertisers compare Performance+ with standard campaigns on a chosen KPI.
Source: PPC Land
Promote a Pin
Pinterest launched Promote a Pin, a simple self-serve way to boost organic Pins with automatic targeting.
Source: PPC Land
CTV on the way
Pinterest is moving into connected TV advertising through tvScientific, so Pinterest audiences may soon reach the living room too.
Source: PPC Land
BEST PRACTICES
What to do in 2026
Before we touch a bid or a budget, we check that conversions are tracked correctly. Automation is only as smart as the data you feed it, and bad data makes it confidently wrong.
01 · TRACKING
Tag + Conversions API first
Pinterest's automation needs conversion data to work its magic. Set up both the Pinterest tag and the Conversions API before you scale.
- Install the Pinterest tag with key events like add to cart, lead and checkout.
- Add the Conversions API for more reliable tracking.
- Check your event quality in Ads Manager after launch.
02 · CAMPAIGNS
Test Performance+ the right way
Performance+ bundles bidding, budgets, targeting and creative signals into a simpler setup. Pinterest's own tests look promising, but your account is what counts.
- Move one lower-funnel or catalog campaign into Performance+ and A/B test it against your current setup.
- Pick one success metric before the test starts, like cost per purchase or ROAS.
- Keep feeding it fresh creative. Performance+ isn't "set it and forget it."
Our take: Test with patience. Give a campaign enough time and budget to learn before you call a winner.
03 · CATALOG
Make your catalog shoppable
For retailers, your product feed IS your ad. Clean titles, great images and accurate prices make shopping ads work.
- Write descriptive product titles with the words people actually search for.
- Use high-quality, lifestyle images where you can, not just white backgrounds.
- Keep prices and stock in sync so people don't click on sold-out items.
04 · CREATIVE
Make Pins that stop the scroll
Pinterest is visual and inspirational. The best ads look like great Pins, not banner ads.
- Use vertical images (2:3) and short videos with a clear focal point.
- Add simple text overlays that say what it is and why it's great.
- Show products in real life: in a room, on a person or in use.
- Try carousels and collections to show a range or tell a story.
05 · TIMING
Plan seasons early
Pinners start planning holidays, back-to-school and big life moments way ahead of time. Show up while they're still deciding.
- Launch seasonal campaigns 4–8 weeks earlier than you would on other platforms.
- Use keyword and interest targeting around planning terms, like "fall table ideas."
- Retarget engaged Pinners closer to the purchase moment.
QUICK CHECKLIST
Your 2026 checklist
Print it, share it with your team, or use it for your next account review.
Do this
- Install tag + Conversions API
- A/B test Performance+
- Pick one success metric per test
- Clean up product titles and images
- Use vertical 2:3 creative
- Launch seasonal campaigns early
- Retarget engaged Pinners
Avoid this
- Scale before tracking works
- Call a test winner too early
- Run banner-style ads
- Let your catalog go stale
- Launch holiday campaigns in December
- Expect it to run itself
FAQ
Pinterest Ads FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Still curious? Just ask.
Does anyone use Pinterest anymore?
Yes. Pinterest has hundreds of millions of monthly users, and many come specifically to plan purchases and projects, which makes its ads valuable.
What is Pinterest Performance+?
An automated campaign type that bundles bidding, budgets, targeting and creative signals into a simpler setup. Pinterest now recommends it as the default.
How much do Pinterest ads cost?
Costs vary by audience, goal and industry. Pinterest is often less expensive than other social platforms for visual, well-targeted campaigns.
Are Pinterest ads better than Facebook ads?
It depends. Pinterest often shines for home, beauty, fashion and lifestyle because people are actively planning. Many brands do best with both.
want a second set of eyes?
Is Pinterest right for your brand?
A free consultation with a senior paid social strategist. We'll look at your products and audience and give you an honest answer.