Pinterest Marketing
Different Types of Pins on Pinterest for High Conversions
The 6 Pinterest pin formats that drive the most clicks, saves, and sales, with examples, a comparison table, and pro tips for each.
Quick Answer
Six pin formats convert best on Pinterest: text overlay, image, collage, before and after, list-style, and video. Text overlays and list pins earn the most clicks, before and after pins build trust fastest, and video pins win on engagement. Match the format to your goal and your pins convert instead of getting scrolled past.
Why pin types matter for conversions
Think of Pinterest as a visual search engine. People are not just scrolling for entertainment, they are actively searching for ideas. When your pin's format communicates value instantly, you make the decision to click easy. If a pin hides the message or confuses them, they keep scrolling.
The right format shows your content in a way that fits the user's intent. Want website traffic? You need pins that get the message across fast. Want product sales? You need pins that show the visual clearly. Want saves? You need pins that feel useful, inspiring, or results-driven. According to Pinterest for Business, pins that match user intent see higher engagement.
Related reading: how to increase saves, clicks, and engagement and how to grow on Pinterest without ads.
The 6 types of Pinterest pins
Text overlay pins
These are image pins with short text written on top, sometimes called text-on-background-image pins. They work because Pinterest users scroll fast, and if a pin does not explain itself within a second, they move on. A short line of text tells the viewer your message at a glance.
They help ecommerce brands sell more effectively. You can highlight the product name, a key feature, or a sale or seasonal discount, which makes the message clear and gets clicks. They also suit blogs, guides, and tutorials, since the text tells users exactly what they will learn before they open the link.
Pro tip: keep text to 5 to 7 words max. Use high-contrast colors so it reads on mobile, and place text in the top or bottom third of the image for the most impact.
Here is a pin example from MMG Tile and Stone, one of the many Pinterest accounts managed by 84Pins.
Image pins
Image pins are the classic Pinterest format: clean, simple, no extra elements, relying on the strength of one strong visual.
A high-quality, well-lit photo builds trust. Pinterest users love clean visuals, especially for products, fashion, home decor, beauty, travel, or food. Image pins also work well when you want one main idea without distractions, and they help the algorithm read the image clearly since Pinterest can detect objects inside a photo.
Pro tip: use lifestyle photography instead of plain white backgrounds. Show products in context so users picture themselves using them. It lifts saves and clicks noticeably.
Collage pins
Collage pins combine multiple images into one layout, creating a richer visual story. This format is perfect when you want to show variety or inspiration. A fashion brand can show three ways to style one outfit in a single pin. A travel creator can share several views of one destination in one frame.
People like collage pins because they feel complete and informative, and they get saved more often since the user feels they are getting several ideas in one place. That makes them ideal for mood boards, product comparisons, room makeovers, and best-of collections.
Pro tip: use 2 to 4 images max per collage. More than that gets cluttered. Keep consistent spacing and borders between images for a clean, professional look.
Want all 6 pin types designed for your brand? 84Pins creates 84 to 672 conversion-optimized pins per month across every format, then posts them daily.
See Plans and Pricing →Before and after pins
When people see a transformation, their mind immediately asks "how did this change happen?" That moment of curiosity is what stops the scroll.
These pins work for makeovers, home improvement, fitness results, cleaning hacks, beauty transformations, editing tutorials, and DIY projects. Users save them because they represent results, and results build trust fast.
Pro tip: use a clear divider or arrow between the two images and label them "Before" and "After." Shoot both from the same angle for the strongest effect.
See more examples in our client case studies.
List-style pins
These break the content into two, three, or five simple points. They feel easy to consume and save. Users love quick tips, and a pin that delivers value in a few short lines performs very well. For example:
- "3 Easy Travel Tips"
- "Top 5 Pinterest Hacks"
- "4 Ways to Improve Your Special Effects Character Makeup"
When you simplify your message into points, people feel they are getting instant value. These pins get saved a lot, which boosts reach. They work best when you want to position yourself as a helpful resource and attract a warm audience.
Pro tip: odd numbers like 3, 5, and 7 tend to feel more natural and complete than even ones. Use numbered circles or check marks for visual hierarchy.
Video pins
Video pins add movement, which naturally catches attention. Even a 3 to 5 second clip can stop the scroll. They are useful when you want to show something in action, like how a product works, how to style an item, or how to complete a step in a tutorial.
Video pins work well for recipes, DIY steps, product demos, travel highlights, makeup transformations, or anything that looks better shown than described.
Pro tip: keep videos under 15 seconds. Add captions or text overlay since many users watch without sound, and lead with the most interesting moment in the first 2 seconds.
For a deeper comparison, see static pins vs video pins to decide which works better for your brand.
Struggling to keep up with high-conversion pins?
If designing all these pin types feels like a lot, you are not alone. Most businesses struggle to stay consistent simply because they do not have time to design, upload, optimize, and track pins every day.
That is where 84Pins helps. We generate millions of impressions every month for our clients. From creating high-performing pins to publishing, keyword optimization, and keeping a steady content flow, we handle the whole process for you.
"84Pins helped us grow from 2,000 to over 194,000 monthly impressions in under 6 months." A 84Pins client
See Plans and Pricing →
How to choose the right pin type for your goal
| Goal | Best pin types | Why they work |
|---|---|---|
| Get more website traffic | Text overlay, list-style | They communicate the message instantly and make users click for more. |
| Sell a product | Image, collage | Clear visuals show what you offer, and collages show variety. |
| Show results or transformations | Before and after | Results build trust quickly and make people curious. |
| Increase reach or engagement | Video | Movement grabs attention and boosts engagement. |
| Give quick value or tips | List-style | Short points feel easy to save, remember, and use. |
| Share multiple ideas at once | Collage | Users get more inspiration in one frame, which increases saves. |
| Highlight offers or announcements | Text overlay | You can call out discounts, launches, or product names right on the image. |
Pinterest is one of the most powerful yet underrated platforms for conversions. The key is knowing which pin types fit your goals and creating eye-catching, valuable content consistently.
Whether you sell products, promote services, run a blog, or build a personal brand, there is a pin type for you. See the latest data in our Pinterest statistics for 2026 and learn how to organize your boards for maximum impact.
Use these formats with intent, and you will start seeing more clicks, more saves, more traffic, and more conversions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of Pinterest pins?
The 6 main types of Pinterest pins for high conversions are: text overlay pins (text on images for instant clarity), image pins (clean photos for product showcases), collage pins (multiple images for variety and inspiration), before and after pins (transformations that build trust), list-style pins (quick tips that get saved frequently), and video pins (short clips that catch attention with movement).
Which Pinterest pin type gets the most conversions?
Text overlay pins and list-style pins typically get the highest click-through rates because they communicate value instantly. Before and after pins build trust quickly and work well for service businesses. The best type depends on your specific goal, so use text overlays for traffic, image pins for product sales, and video pins for engagement.
Should I use video pins or image pins on Pinterest?
Both work well for different purposes. Video pins catch attention with movement and work great for product demos, tutorials, and recipes. Image pins work better for clean product showcases and inspiration. Using a mix of both formats typically yields the best results since they reach different types of Pinterest users.
How do text overlay pins work on Pinterest?
Text overlay pins combine images with short text (5 to 7 words max) written on top to explain the pin's message at a glance. They perform well because Pinterest users scroll quickly and need immediate clarity. Use high-contrast colors so text is readable on mobile, and place text in the top or bottom third of the image for maximum impact.
What size should Pinterest pins be for best performance?
The best Pinterest pin size is a 2:3 aspect ratio, with 1000 by 1500 pixels being the standard recommended size. Vertical pins perform best because they take up more space in the feed and are easier to read on mobile, where most Pinterest users browse. Avoid square or horizontal formats, since they get less visibility in the feed.
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Sources: Format and intent guidance is from Pinterest for Business. Pin examples and client results are from 84Pins managed accounts.
