The fastest way to find someone on Pinterest

Pinterest has a search function built into the top of every page. Type a person's name into that search bar, and you will see results for boards, pins, and people. The people results appear in a separate tab — click it to see accounts matching that name. If you know their email address or the username they use, search for that instead, because usernames are unique and email searches are more precise than name searches alone.

If the person has a common name, you may see dozens of results. Look for profile pictures, board titles, or follower counts that match what you know about them. Many people use their real photo as a profile picture, which makes them easier to spot. If you are not sure which account belongs to them, click on a profile to see their boards and pins — the content usually tells you whether you have found the right person.

Pinterest also lets you search by email if you have their address. Go to the search bar and type their full email. This works best if their account is connected to that email address, though not all accounts show up in email searches.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the search bar at the top of Pinterest and click the "People" tab to find accounts by name, username, or email address.
  • Usernames are unique on Pinterest, so searching for someone's username gives more accurate results than searching by their real name alone.
  • Check profile pictures and board titles to confirm you have found the right person, especially if they have a common name.
  • If someone's account is private, you will still see their profile in search results, but you cannot see their pins or boards unless they follow you back or you send them a follow request.

Searching by username versus real name

Every Pinterest account has a username — the handle that appears in the account's web address. If you know someone's Pinterest username, search for that first. Usernames are one-of-a-kind on the platform, so you will get exactly one result instead of a list of people with the same first and last name.

Real names are less reliable because many people share them. If you search for "Sarah Johnson," you might see fifty accounts. You can narrow the results by adding details — try searching "Sarah Johnson photography" or "Sarah Johnson Portland" if you know what they do or where they live. Pinterest will show pins and boards related to those keywords alongside people results, which sometimes helps you spot the right account.

If you are friends with the person on Facebook or another platform, their Pinterest username is often the same or similar. Check their other social media profiles or ask them directly for their Pinterest handle if you want to find them quickly.

Using email address to locate an account

Pinterest allows you to search by email address, though this method works only if the account is set up with that email and the person has not hidden their account from search. Type the full email address into the search bar exactly as it appears — spaces or slight variations will return no results.

This approach is useful if you have someone's email but not their name or username. It is also more private than asking them directly, since you can confirm whether they have a Pinterest account without tipping them off that you are looking. Keep in mind that not every email address will return results, even if an account exists — some people set their accounts to private or do not allow their email to be searchable.

What to do if you cannot find them

If your search returns no results, the person may not have a Pinterest account, or their account may be set to private. Private accounts still appear in search results, but only if you search by their exact username. If you know their username but cannot find them, they may have deactivated their account or changed their username recently.

Another reason you might not find someone is that they have turned off search visibility in their account settings. Some people choose not to appear in search results to keep their account more private. In this case, you would need to know their exact username or have them send you a direct link to their profile.

If you think the person has a Pinterest account but you cannot locate it, the simplest approach is to ask them directly for their username or a link to their profile. Most people are happy to share their Pinterest handle if they want you to follow them.

Following someone after you find them

Once you locate someone's profile, you can follow them by clicking the "Follow" button on their profile page. If their account is public, you will when ready start seeing their pins in your home feed. If their account is private, your follow request goes to them, and they decide whether to accept it.

Following someone on Pinterest is different from following them on other platforms — it does not give them a notification that you followed them, and they do not have to follow you back. You can unfollow at any time by clicking the "Following" button again. Pinterest also lets you mute someone's pins without unfollowing them, which means you will not see their content in your feed but you will still be listed as a follower.

Understanding public versus private Pinterest accounts

Most Pinterest accounts are public by default, which means anyone can see the boards and pins you create. Public accounts appear in search results, and anyone can follow you without your permission. Your profile picture, username, and bio are visible to everyone.

Private accounts work differently. Your pins and boards are hidden from people who do not follow you, and you must approve follow requests before someone can see your content. Private accounts still appear in search results by username, but people cannot see what you have pinned unless you accept their follow request. Some people use private accounts to keep their Pinterest activity more personal or to share boards only with people they know.

You can change your account from public to private (or vice versa) in your account settings at any time. This does not affect your ability to search for other people or follow public accounts.

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. Try adding details you know about them — their location, interests, or what they pin about — to narrow the results. If you know their username or email, those searches will be more accurate.

What does it mean if someone does not show up in search results?

They may not have a Pinterest account, their account may be deactivated, or they may have turned off search visibility in their settings. Some people also change their username, which can make them harder to find. If you know their username exactly, try searching for that instead of their real name.

Will someone know if I search for them on Pinterest?

No. Pinterest does not notify people when you search for them or view their profile. You can search for and view public accounts without the person knowing. Following them will not send a notification either, though they may notice if they check their followers list.

Can I find someone if their account is private?

You can find a private account if you search for their exact username, but you cannot see their pins or boards unless they accept your follow request. If you do not know their username, a private account will not appear in a name search.

What if the person I am looking for has a very common name?

Add more details to your search — their city, job, hobbies, or interests. You can also try searching for their email address or username if you have it. Looking at profile pictures and board titles helps you confirm you have found the right person among many results.