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“How do I get more followers on Pinterest?” This question comes up constantly. Honestly, I get it. On Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, follower numbers often feel like the ultimate measure of success. If you have lots of followers, you must have lots of clicks, sales and newsletter sign-ups…

When I started using Pinterest for my first own blog, I believed the same. I wanted to grow fast, get visible and assumed the way to do that was to grow my follower count. This was 2016 and I (and Pinterest) got a long way since then.

I quickly realized: Pinterest works differently. Pinterest is not about likes or viral posts. It is a (visual) search engine. What matters most is relevance, keywords and high-quality content that helps people solve a problem or plan something in their lives.Nevertheless, followers also play a role on Pinterest – especially in the beginning when your content is not yet pushed by the platform itself. So, learning how to get Pinterest followers in a sustainable, authentic way is helpful. In this guide, you’ll learn what Pinterest followers actually are, why growing Pinterest followers is easier than you think and how to get more followers on Pinterest without pressure or hustle.

What are Pinterest Followers?

Pinterest followers are users who follow your entire profile or individual boards. Pinterest does not differentiate between profile and board followers – both count towards your total number of followers.

Followers are shown your content in their home feed first. This can increase your visibility, engagement and clicks, especially when your account is still small.

Where can I see my Pinterest followers?

Go to your Pinterest profile. Under your profile name you’ll see two numbers:

how many Pinterest followers you have
how many accounts you follow

You can click either number to see a full list.

Tip: If you want to keep track of how your follower count is growing, be sure to include this in your personal Pinterest reporting!

Are more followers actually useful?

Yes, but with nuance. Pinterest has publicly stated in the past (mid 2024) that new content is first shown to your own followers to test how relevant it is. Even though that page no longer exists, the behavior still shows up in practice.

So yes: having more Pinterest followers can help your content perform better in the beginning.

Nevertheless, Pinterest followers are not the key to success. Reach, impressions, keywords and fresh, relevant content matter far more.

When your SEO strategy is solid, Pinterest followers come naturally. You don’t need tens of thousands to get traffic. And while you can only follow 50,000 profiles, there is no limit to how many Pinterest followers you can gain – another reason why sustainable growth is worth it.

Pinterest Followers vs Following: Does It Matter?

Often comes the question up why the followers vs following numbers look unbalanced. On Pinterest, this is completely normal.

Pinterest is not a social network based on mutual follows or engagement loops. Someone may follow 2 accounts or 2,000 accounts – the algorithm cares far more about search behavior than social behavior.

So don’t chase a “balanced” number like you might on Instagram. Focus on clarity, keywords and creating content people search for.

Can I delete followers?

Yes, you can remove accounts that follow you. Click on your follower number, open the list and use the three dots next to a follower’s name. You can choose Remove, Block or Report.

Screenshot der Pinterest-Followerliste mit drei Kontakten. Neben einem Kontakt ist ein Optionsmenü geöffnet mit den Auswahlmöglichkeiten „Entfernen“, „Blocken“ und „Melden“.

Personally, I don’t delete followers on Pinterest profiles that I manage. It takes time and does not improve performance. Your energy is better invested in tasks with a higher ROI like SEO, pin creation and fresh content. Especially for solopreneurs/small businesses who don’t have bottomless capacity.

Why is it so hard to get followers on Pinterest?

Because Pinterest is not primarily a social platform. People don’t follow out of courtesy or habit. They follow when they consistently see content that is relevant to their goals.

So if you struggle to grow Pinterest followers, the reason is usually one of these:

You are pinning inconsistently
Your boards don’t match clear keyword themes
Your profile is not optimized
Your pins don’t speak to one specific audience
Your content doesn’t solve a clear problem

The good news? All of this can be fixed quickly with a solid Pinterest strategy. (Hit me up!)

How To Get More Pinterest Followers: Practical Strategies That Work

If you want to gain more followers on Pinterest and build a loyal community over the long term, it’s not enough to just post a few pretty pins. Successful growth requires a well-thought-out strategy—but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming!

1. Optimize your Pinterest profile

Your profile is the face of your brand—so show who you are and what you do! Include key keywords directly in your profile name and description so users can find you more easily through Pinterest search. The structure and design of your boards also play a role. You’ll find helpful tips on this in my blog post about Pinterest profile optimization—or you can grab the free workbook right now!

2. Engage with the Pinterest community

Pinterest is not a classic social media platform, but community signals still help and a little community love doesn’t hurt. Look at who follows you and check whether their content aligns with your niche. Follow relevant accounts back.

Group boards can also help you grow Pinterest followers because your pins are shown to the followers of all board members, not just your own.

If you want to know whether group boards are still worth it, I explain everything in my dedicated blog post about Pinterest group boards.

3. Create high-quality, relevant content

Well-designed pins with a clear message, appealing visuals, and compelling text captions grab people’s attention. Keep your target audience in mind: What interests them? What problems can you solve? The more relevant your content is, the more likely it is to be shared—and the more visible you’ll become to new followers.

4. Pin consistently and strategically

Pinterest loves consistency. It is one of the strongest signals on that platform! Instead of pinning 20 pins on one day and nothing for a week, pin a few new pieces of content every day. Plan in advance and use use a scheduling tool like Tailwind or the native Pinterest scheduler. Or outsource your Pinterest marketing to a Pinterest Manager (like me) if you want it completely off your plate.

5. Use cross-promotion to get Pinterest followers

Spread the word about your Pinterest profile on other channels, such as your newsletter, LinkedIn, or website. Integrate a Pinterest follow button on your website (e.g. with a widget from Pinterest itself) or use tools like MiloTree to encourage visitors to follow directly.

If you also have a offline business, think about adding it on your printed products, like business or thank-you-cards.

What is the Pincode^TM and how do I find my personal Pincode^TM?
A Pinterest Pincode works like a QR code for your Pinterest profile or boards. Users scan it in the Pinterest app and land directly on your account. It’s perfect for print products like business cards, flyers, or brochures. To find your Pincode:

Download the code
Open Pinterest in your browser
Click your profile picture

You can also create PincodesTM for individual boards. Open any board, click the three dots and generate a board-specific Pincode.

Pincode Annkathrin Schön — So sieht ein Pincode aus.

Can you buy Pinterest followers?

Buying Pinterest followers is technically possible, just like on any other platform, but it is something you should absolutely avoid. It violates Pinterest’s user policies and can lead to a suspended or permanently removed account. It also damages your credibility, skews your analytics, sends the algorithm the wrong audience signals and makes it harder for your content to perform organically. On top of that, agencies and brands can easily detect purchased followers, which instantly harms your chances of collaborations or sponsorships. If you are building your business with long-term success in mind, stay far away from buying Pinterest followers.

Conclusion: Pinterest Followers Are Helpful, But They Are Not Everything

Pinterest followers support your visibility and help new content gain initial traction, but they are not the main ranking factor and should never be your primary goal. They help you gain visibility and build trust – but what really matters on Pinterest is creating high-quality content, optimizing your pins for search, pinning consistently, understanding and serving your audience’s needs, structuring your boards clearly and using strong, relevant keywords. So don’t obsess over numbers! Focus on value, clarity and content that genuinely helps people. When you do that, your Pinterest following will grow alongside your reach, your traffic and ultimately your business.

Want to finally make your business shine on Pinterest? Let’s work together to expand your reach! With my Pinterest management service, I’ll take care of everything—from strategy to execution. That way, you can sit back, relax, and watch your Pinterest profile and audience grow. Curious? Check out how I can help you!