Why Pinterest is Worth Your SEO Efforts

Third only to search giants Google and YouTube, Pinterest is a rapidly expanding social media site focused on images. Pinterest boards allow users to “pin” and “repin” images they like from content anywhere on the Internet. Because the graphics and photographs on Pinterest boards are widely viewed and can be repined numerous times, this site offers clear benefits for businesses both small and large to establish their brands.

Google Search Visibility 

Although Pinterest content is image-based, it is indexed by Google based on the keywords attached to photos, videos and other infographics, so content pinned to Pinterest boards can be optimized with keywords and keyword phrases related to a site’s content and brand. The filenames of original photos pinned to Pinterest boards can also be optimized to include keywords, which can also increase SEO rankings.

Backlinks and Referrals 

All mages and other content pinned to Pinterest boards have backlinks to their original source. And, since content can be pinned and repined numerous times, referrals can come from a variety of sources. Because Pinterest is primarily a social networking site, it discourages blatant promotions of products and services, but quality content associated with a product or service is welcomed, with the potential for widespread sharing of links and referrals.

Image Based Content 

Since Pinterest content is image based, it has immediate visual impact. However, Pinterest images can also contain text that conveys a company’s message or information about its services. As part of an overall SEO strategy that includes quality content such as articles, blogs and copy, Pinterest provides another way to connect with potential clients, and expands a company’s options for publicizing its brand.

Social Signals 

Pinterest is part of the larger community of social networking sites, and social signals are a part of the search algorithms of sites such as Google and Bing. Pinterest content can generate those signals as well, with options for visitors to Tweet, Like, Share, +1, or Pin the images they find there. For this reason, the many ways to share content via Pinterest signals search engines that material posted there is relevant.

Rapid Sharing 

Since Pinterest operates on a series of image boards, the videos, photos and other information posted there can be shared quickly and easily with the whole Pinterest community as well as the web as a whole. No text needs to be written to share content; the Pin button immediately posts material to an individual or company board. Likewise, the various share options for other social media sites can send Pinterest content anywhere with the click of a mouse, so product images and other company content can be shared immediately with users everywhere.

For established businesses and newcomers just starting a website using hosting resources such as Purely Hosting, Pinterest offers a novel and easy SEO strategy to complement the “traditional” tools of social media, site building and informational content. It’s often been said that a picture is worth a thousand words – and for Pinterest users, it may also generate business.

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