What happens when you create a pin

When you create a pin on Pinterest, you upload an image and write a description. Pinterest stores that image on its servers, attaches your account name to it, and makes it visible to other users who search for related topics or follow your boards. The platform also tracks which users save, click, or comment on your pin — that data becomes part of your Pinterest profile and helps Pinterest decide what to show you next time you log in.

Your pin remains on Pinterest's servers even if you delete it from your board, though it becomes harder for other users to find. If someone else repins your image (saves it to their own board), that copy stays on their board independently of what you do with the original. Pinterest also uses the images and descriptions you pin to train its recommendation system, which means your pins influence what the platform shows to millions of other users.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a pin by uploading an image, writing a title and description, and choosing which board to save it to — Pinterest then stores that image and links it to your account.
  • Your pin description should include keywords related to what the image shows, because Pinterest uses those words to match pins with users searching for that topic.
  • Pins you create remain on Pinterest's servers even after you delete them, and other users can repin your images to their own boards without asking permission.
  • Pinterest tracks who saves, clicks, and comments on your pins, and uses that data to build a profile of your interests that shapes what the platform shows you.

How to upload an image and write a pin description

Start by clicking the plus icon in the top left corner of Pinterest (on desktop) or the plus icon at the bottom of the screen (on mobile). Choose "Create a pin" from the menu. You can then upload an image from your device, paste a link to an image on the web, or use Pinterest's design tool to create a graphic from scratch.

Once you have selected your image, write a title and description. The title should be short — one to five words — and the description can be longer. Include specific words that describe what the image shows: if you are pinning a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, use words like "chocolate chip cookies," "straightforward cookie recipe," or "homemade dessert." Pinterest uses these words to match your pin with users searching for those topics, so being specific matters more than being clever.

You do not have to include a link in your pin, but if you do, Pinterest will crawl that webpage and store information about it. If the webpage later changes or disappears, your pin's description remains but the link becomes broken. Choose a board to save the pin to — if you do not have a board yet, you can create one during this step by typing a new board name.

What information Pinterest collects about your pins

Pinterest records the date and time you created each pin, the image itself, every word in your title and description, and the board you saved it to. The platform also stores the IP address you were using when you created the pin, which can reveal your general location. If you included a link, Pinterest stores that URL and information about the webpage it points to.

Every time someone interacts with your pin — saving it, clicking the link, leaving a comment, or even hovering over it — Pinterest logs that action and connects it to the other user's account. This creates a record of which pins are popular, which descriptions work best, and which users have similar interests. Pinterest uses this data to build profiles of user behavior that inform its recommendation algorithm.

How to control who sees your pins

By default, all pins you create are public — any Pinterest user can find them through search, see them on your profile, or repin them to their own boards. You can make a board private by editing the board settings, which hides all pins on that board from other users. Only people you invite to a private board can see the pins there.

If you want to delete a pin entirely, click the three dots on the pin and select "Delete pin." This removes the pin from your board and from most search results, but Pinterest may retain a copy in its archives or backups. If someone else has already repinned your image, deleting your original pin does not remove their copy.

You cannot prevent other users from repinning your images once they are public. If you want to share an image only with specific people, save it to a private board and invite only those users to view it.

How Pinterest uses pin data to target you

Pinterest analyzes the pins you create and save to build a detailed profile of your interests. If you pin many recipes, the platform learns that you are interested in cooking. If you pin home decor images, it learns that you are interested in interior design. This profile becomes the basis for what Pinterest shows you on your home feed and in search results.

The platform also uses information from the pins you create to show you targeted ads. If you pin many gardening images, you may see ads for gardening tools and seeds. Pinterest shares this profile information with advertisers in anonymized form — they do not see your name, but they can target ads to "users interested in gardening" or similar categories.

You can adjust some of these settings by visiting your Pinterest account settings and selecting "Ad preferences." There you can see the interests Pinterest has assigned to you and remove categories you do not want to be targeted on. However, you cannot opt out of Pinterest collecting this data entirely while remaining an active user.

Pins you create versus pins you save

A pin you create is an original image you upload to Pinterest. A pin you save is someone else's image that you repin to your own board. Both types of pins appear on your profile and both contribute to the data Pinterest collects about your interests, but they are treated differently by the platform.

When you create an original pin, you own the copyright to the image (assuming you took the photo or created the graphic yourself). When you repin someone else's image, you do not own the copyright, but you can still save it to your board. If the original pin links to a website, repinning it preserves that link, which sends traffic to the original source.

Pinterest encourages repinning because it spreads content across the platform and increases engagement. The more a pin is repinned, the more visible it becomes, and the more data Pinterest collects about which types of images and descriptions perform well.

What happens to pins you delete

When you delete a pin from your board, it disappears from your profile when ready. Other users cannot find it through your profile or through most searches. However, Pinterest may retain a copy of the image and description in its backup systems or archives, which the company keeps for legal and operational reasons.

If you want to delete all your pins at once, you would need to delete each board individually — Pinterest does not offer a bulk delete function. Deleting a board removes all pins on that board from your profile, but again, the company may retain copies in its systems.

If you delete your entire Pinterest account, the company says it will remove your personal information within 30 days, though it may retain anonymized data about your activity for longer. Pins you created remain on Pinterest's servers and may continue to be visible to other users, depending on how the company's data retention policies work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I repin an image without the original creator knowing?

Yes. When you repin an image, Pinterest does not notify the original creator. However, if the pin links to a website, the website owner can see in their traffic logs that the link was clicked from Pinterest. The original creator can see repins of their pins by visiting their analytics dashboard, but they are not alerted in real time.

What if I pin an image I do not own the copyright to?

Pinterest does not prevent you from pinning images you do not own. However, you are responsible for respecting copyright law. If the copyright holder reports your pin as infringing, Pinterest may remove it. Repeatedly pinning copyrighted material without permission can result in your account being suspended or deleted.

Do I have to use my real name when I create pins?

No. You can create a Pinterest account with any username you choose, and your pins will be attributed to that username. However, if you link your Pinterest account to other social media accounts or provide your real name in your profile, that information becomes visible to other users.

Can I see who saved or clicked on my pins?

Pinterest shows you basic analytics about your pins if you have a business account, including how many times each pin was saved or clicked. However, you cannot see the names of individual users who interacted with your pins — only aggregate numbers. If a pin links to your own website, you can see more detailed information in your website's analytics.

What image size and format works best for Pinterest pins?

Pinterest recommends a 1000 by 1500 pixel vertical image in JPG or PNG format. Vertical images take up more space on the Pinterest feed and tend to get more engagement. The platform also supports video pins, which you can upload directly or link from YouTube or other video platforms.