The three ways to search for someone on Pinterest

You can find people on Pinterest using the search bar at the top of the page, by browsing your contacts, or by looking at who has pinned or commented on boards you follow. The search bar is the fastest route if you know someone's name or username. If you have their email address, you can upload your contacts and Pinterest will show you who from that list already has an account.

Each method shows you different information about the person — their profile picture, username, how many followers they have, and what boards they follow or have created. You will see this information whether or not you follow them back, though some users set their profiles to private, which limits what you can see.

Key Takeaways

  • The search bar at the top of any Pinterest page lets you type a person's name or username to find their profile directly.
  • Uploading your contacts through Pinterest's "Find Friends" feature shows you which of your email contacts already use Pinterest.
  • You can see public profiles, boards, and pins from anyone on Pinterest unless they have set their account to private.
  • When you find someone, you can follow their profile, save their pins, or message them if they allow direct messages from non-followers.

Using the search bar to find someone by name or username

Open Pinterest and look for the search bar at the top of the page. Type the person's full name, first name, or username if you know it. Pinterest will show you matching profiles as you type, with the person's profile picture, username, and follower count next to each result.

If the person uses a common name, you may see multiple results. Look for their profile picture or check the boards they have created to confirm you found the right person. Click on their profile to see their full board list, followers, and the pins they have saved or created.

Finding contacts who use Pinterest

If you have someone's email address but do not know their Pinterest username, you can upload your contacts and let Pinterest match them to existing accounts. On the home page, look for "Find Friends" or a similar option in the menu. Select the option to upload contacts from your email account, phone, or a file.

Pinterest will ask permission to access your contacts and will show you which people from your list already have Pinterest accounts. You can then follow any of them directly from that list. This method works best if you have the person's email address saved in your phone or email account.

Searching through followers and comments

If you follow a board or a person who knows the person you are looking for, you can find them through that connection. Look at who has followed the board, who has commented on pins, or who the board creator follows. Click on any username to see their profile and decide whether to follow them.

This method is slower than searching by name, but it can help you find someone if you only know them through a mutual connection or shared interest. You can also look at the "Followers" or "Following" list on any public profile to see who that person is connected to.

What you can see on someone's profile

When you find someone on Pinterest, you can see their username, profile picture, bio, follower count, and the boards they have created or follow. You can also see the pins they have saved publicly and any comments they have left on other pins. This information is visible to anyone unless the person has set their account to private.

If someone has a private account, you will see their username and profile picture, but you will not be able to see their boards, pins, or followers without their permission. You can still send them a message or follow them, but they will have to approve your follow request before you can see their content.

Following someone and interacting with their content

Once you find someone, you can follow their profile by clicking the "Follow" button on their profile page. After you follow them, their pins will appear in your home feed, and you will be notified when they create new boards or pin new content. You can also save their pins to your own boards, comment on their pins, or send them a direct message.

If the person has turned off messages from non-followers, you will not be able to message them unless they follow you back. You can still comment on their pins publicly, and they may respond to you that way. Commenting is always visible to anyone who views that pin.

What happens when you search for someone

When you search for someone on Pinterest, your search does not notify them that you looked for them. Pinterest does not send a notification when someone views your profile, searches for you, or clicks on your pins. However, if you follow them, comment on their pins, or send them a message, they will see that activity in their notifications.

Your own search history on Pinterest is private to you. Other people cannot see what you have searched for or which profiles you have visited. Pinterest stores your search history on your account so you can see your past searches, but this information is not shared with other users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find someone on Pinterest if I only know their first name?

You can search by first name, but you will likely see many results if it is a common name. Look through the profile pictures and boards to find the right person. If you know other details about them — like their location, interests, or a board they have created — those can help you narrow down the results.

What if someone's Pinterest account is private?

You can still find their profile and see their username and profile picture. You will not be able to see their boards, pins, or followers until they approves your follow request. Send them a message or follow request, and they can choose to let you see their content.

Does Pinterest tell someone when I search for them?

No. Searching for someone does not send them a notification. They will only know you found them if you follow them, comment on their pins, or send them a message. Your search history is private to your account.

Can I find someone if I have their email address?

Yes. Use the "Find Friends" feature to upload your contacts, and Pinterest will show you which people from your email list have accounts. This is faster than searching by name if you are not sure of their username.

What information can I see about someone before I follow them?

You can see their username, profile picture, bio, follower count, and public boards. You can also see pins they have saved publicly and comments they have left. If their account is private, you will only see their username and profile picture until they approve your follow request.