Create a private board in three steps

A private board on Pinterest is a collection you create that only you can see and edit. Unlike a public board, which anyone on Pinterest can find and follow, a private board stays hidden from other users' feeds and searches. You control who sees it, and you can change it back to public later if you want.

To create one, open Pinterest on your phone or computer, click the plus icon (+) in the top right, select "Create board," give it a name, then toggle the privacy setting to "Private" before you save. That's the full process — it takes about 30 seconds.

Private boards are useful if you want to save ideas without broadcasting them, test content before sharing publicly, or keep sensitive planning (like a home renovation budget or medical research) away from your followers' view.

Key Takeaways

  • A private board hides all your pins from other users and does not appear in search results or anyone else's feed.
  • You set the privacy level when you create the board, and you can change it to public later from the board settings.
  • Only you can add pins to a private board unless you invite collaborators, who then see and edit the board with you.
  • Private boards still count toward your total board limit, so check your account type if you hit a cap.

Where to find the create board button

On the Pinterest home page, look for the plus icon (+) in the top right corner of your screen. Click or tap it, then select "Create board" from the menu that appears. On mobile, the plus icon is at the bottom of the screen instead.

If you are already looking at one of your existing boards, you can also click the three dots (menu) on that board and select "Create a new board" — this is faster if you want to create multiple boards in a row.

Setting privacy when you create the board

When the board creation window opens, you will see a toggle labeled "Private" or "Public." Make sure the toggle is switched to "Private" before you click "Create." If you miss this step and create a public board by accident, you can change it later by opening the board, clicking the three dots, selecting "Edit board," and toggling privacy there.

Pinterest does not send notifications to other users when you create a private board, so no one knows it exists unless you tell them. The board will not show up in your profile's board list if you are viewing your profile as a visitor (someone not logged into your account), but it will show up when you are logged in.

Adding pins to a private board

Once the board is created, you can add pins to it the same way you add pins to any board. When you find a pin you want to save, click the save button, select your private board from the list, and confirm. You can also create a new pin directly on the board by clicking the plus icon on the board itself.

If you want to move a pin from a public board to a private one, open the pin, click the three dots, select "Move," and choose your private board. This removes it from the public board and places it in the private one instead.

Inviting collaborators to a private board

You can invite other Pinterest users to edit a private board with you. Open the board, click the three dots, select "Invite collaborators," and enter their Pinterest username or email address. They will receive an invitation and can accept or decline. Once they accept, they can add, delete, and organize pins on that board just like you can.

Collaborators can see everything on the board, but they cannot change the privacy setting or remove other collaborators — only the board creator can do that. If you want to stop someone from editing the board, open the board settings, find their name under collaborators, and click the X next to it.

Changing a private board to public later

If you decide you want to share a private board with your followers, you can make it public at any time. Open the board, click the three dots, select "Edit board," toggle the privacy setting to "Public," and save. All the pins on that board will then appear in your profile and in search results.

When you switch a board from private to public, Pinterest does not notify your followers that the board exists — they will only see it if they visit your profile or search for related content. You can switch back to private again whenever you want.

What happens to a private board if you deactivate your account

If you deactivate your Pinterest account, all your boards — private and public — become inaccessible. If you reactivate within 30 days, your boards and pins return. After 30 days, Pinterest deletes the account permanently, and the boards are gone.

If you want to preserve the pins on a private board before closing your account, you can read them or move them to a public board first. Pinterest does not offer a bulk export tool, so you would need to save pins individually or use a third-party tool designed for Pinterest backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find my private board if they search for it by name?

No. Private boards do not appear in Pinterest search results, and they do not show up on your profile unless someone is logged into your account viewing it as you. Even if someone knows the exact name of your private board, they cannot find it through search.

What is the difference between a private board and a secret board?

Pinterest does not have a "secret board" feature. The privacy options are "Private" (only you see it) and "Public" (everyone can see it). If you want to hide a board from your followers but still share it with specific people, invite them as collaborators on a private board.

Can I see who has viewed my private board?

No. Pinterest does not show view counts or viewer information for private boards. You can see how many people have saved or liked individual pins if they are on a public board, but private boards have no analytics.

If I delete a pin from a private board, can I get it back?

Once you delete a pin from a board, it is gone from that board. If the pin still exists elsewhere on Pinterest (on another board or in the original source), you can save it again. If you deleted the pin entirely from your account, you would need to find the original source and save it again.

Do private boards count toward my board limit?

Yes. Both private and public boards count toward your total board limit. Free Pinterest accounts can create up to 500 boards. If you hit the limit, you will need to delete a board or upgrade your account to create more.