Pinterest Idea Pins: Creation Guide

Pinterest has always been the go-to platform for inspiration seekers, but if you’ve been feeling a bit confused about Pinterest Idea Pins lately, you’re not alone. The platform went through some major changes in 2024, and understanding how to create Idea Pins in today’s Pinterest landscape is crucial for anyone serious about their social media strategy.

Let’s cut through the confusion and get you up to speed on everything you need to know about Idea Pins, what they are, how they’ve evolved, and most importantly, how to create content that actually performs on Pinterest.

What are Pinterest Idea Pins?

Pinterest Idea Pins (formerly known as Story Pins) were introduced in 2021 as a multi-page, story-like format designed to keep users engaged directly on the platform. Think of them as Pinterest’s answer to Instagram Stories: users could swipe through multiple “pages” of content with images, videos, text overlays, and interactive elements.

The original concept was brilliant: creators could share up to 20 swipeable pages with custom text, voiceovers, transitions, music, and stickers. The goal? Create immersive, educational content that kept users on Pinterest longer.

But here’s the critical thing to understand: this original story-style format no longer exists. If you’re looking for tutorials from 2022 or 2023 about creating swipeable “pages,” that’s outdated information.

The big change for Idea Pins in 2024

Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit confusing). In 2024, Pinterest made a massive shift. Instead of maintaining separate pin formats: standard pins, video pins, and Idea Pins, they decided to streamline everything into one unified pin format.

What does this mean for you?

• The old story-style “swipeable pages” format is gone
• When you upload multiple images now, Pinterest automatically creates a slideshow video (not separate pages)
• You can now add external links to this video content (this was a huge pain point before)
• Old Idea Pins you created before 2024 still exist and work fine
• The creation process is simpler, but the output is different, it’s video-based, not story-based

The key difference: Old Idea Pins = swipeable pages (like Instagram Stories). New format = automatic video slideshow that plays continuously.

The rollout has been gradual, so depending on your account, you might still see “Create Idea Pin” as an option, or you might just see “Create Pin”. Don’t panic, it’s all part of the transition. Just understand that what you create will be a video, not swipeable slides.

Why Pinterest made this change

Let’s be honest, while Pinterest Idea Pins got amazing distribution initially, they had one major flaw: no external links. For bloggers, businesses, and content creators trying to drive traffic to their websites, this was a dealbreaker.

Pinterest learned that creators and users both wanted the best of both worlds: the creative, multi-page storytelling format with the ability to actually drive traffic off-platform. The unified pin format gives you exactly that.

How to create Idea Pins (the new way)

Now that we understand the evolution, let’s talk about how to create Idea Pins in today’s Pinterest environment. The good news? It’s actually easier than before.

Step 1: Access the Pin creator

• Open Pinterest (mobile app or desktop)
• Click the “+” icon or “Create” button
• Select “Create Pin”

Depending on your account’s update status, you might see different options, but the concept remains the same.

Step 2: Upload your content

Here’s where the magic happens. You can now:

• Upload multiple images
• Add video clips
• Mix and match images and videos in one pin

GOOD TO KNOW: When you upload multiple pieces of content (2+ images), Pinterest automatically converts them into a slideshow video. This is not the same as the old swipeable “pages” format from 2022. Instead, Pinterest creates one continuous video that auto-plays through your images with smooth transitions.

On mobile, this video will auto-play seamlessly, just like any other Pinterest video content. Users won’t “swipe” through pages, they’ll watch your content flow as a video.

Step 3: Add creative elements

This is where your content comes to life. Before uploading to Pinterest, you should prepare your images with:

• Text overlays: Add headlines, descriptions, or step-by-step instructions directly on your images (use Canva or similar tools)
• Stickers: Make your content more engaging and fun
• Music: Pinterest allows you to add background audio to your video slideshow
• Transitions: Pinterest automatically adds smooth transitions between your images when creating the video

TIP FOR YOU: Since Pinterest converts your images into a video, make sure each image is visually strong and readable on its own. Keep your text large and legible, remember, most Pinterest users are on mobile devices and your content will be playing as a video, not as static pages they can pause and read.

Step 4: Optimize for SEO

Here’s where many creators drop the ball. Pinterest is a visual search engine, which means SEO matters a lot.

Essential SEO elements:

• Pin Title: Include your primary keyword naturally 
• Pin Description: Write 200 to 500 characters describing your pin, naturally incorporating keywords
• Topic Tags: Select relevant topics to help Pinterest understand your content
• Alt Text: Describe your images for accessibility and SEO

Think of your pin description like you would think about creating a comprehensive social media strategy, it needs to be strategic, keyword-rich, but also natural and engaging.

Step 5: Add your link

This is the game-changer that makes the new format so much better than the old Pinterest Idea Pins. You can now add external links to drive traffic to:

• Your blog posts
• Product pages
• Landing pages
• YouTube videos
• Any URL you want

Make sure your link is relevant to the pin content. Pinterest’s algorithm favors user experience, and misleading links will hurt your reach.

Step 6: Choose your board

Save your pin to a relevant board. Board selection matters more than you think, it provides context to Pinterest about your content and helps the algorithm understand where to show it.

Step 7: Publish (or schedule)

Hit publish and watch your pin go live! Or better yet, use a scheduling tool to post at optimal times when your audience is most active.

Speaking of scheduling, if you’re managing multiple social media platforms (and let’s be real, you probably are), tools like Kontentino can help you plan your entire content calendar across Pinterest and other platforms in one place.

Pinterest Idea Pins best practices

Creating Pinterest Idea Pins is one thing; creating ones that actually perform is another. Here are the strategies that work:

1. Make the first page count

Your first page is like a hook in an Instagram Reel. If it doesn’t grab attention in the first second, users will scroll right past. Use bold text, striking visuals, or an intriguing question to stop the scroll.

Need inspiration? Check out these 100 hook ideas for Instagram Reels, many work brilliantly for Pinterest too.

2. Tell a story (or teach something)

The most successful Pinterest Idea Pins either tell a compelling story or teach something valuable. Think:

• Step-by-step tutorials
• Before-and-after transformations
• Behind-the-scenes processes
• How-to guides
• Recipe walkthroughs
• DIY projects

Educational content performs incredibly well on Pinterest. Just like you’d plan your social media content types across other platforms, your Pinterest content should provide value.

3. Optimize your visuals

Aspect ratio: Use vertical format (1000 x 1500 pixels for standard pins, or 1000 x 1920 pixels for video-heavy content)

Quality: High-resolution images are non-negotiable. Blurry, pixelated images will tank your engagement.

Branding: Include subtle branding elements so users remember your content, but don’t make it too salesy.

Text on image: Keep it minimal and readable. Too much text overwhelms mobile users.

4. Keep it concise

While you can upload up to 20 images to create your video slideshow, that doesn’t mean you should use all 20. Most successful pins use 5 to 10 images max. Remember, Pinterest converts these into a continuous video, any longer and you risk losing your audience’s attention as they scroll past.

5. Include a call-to-action

What do you want users to do after viewing your pin?

• Visit your website?
• Save the pin for later?
• Try the recipe?
• Buy the product?

Make it clear. A simple “Tap the link to learn more” or “Save this for later” works wonders.

6. Leverage keywords everywhere

This can’t be stressed enough. Pinterest is a search engine first, social media platform second. Your Pinterest Idea Pins should be optimized with:

• Keywords in the title
• Keywords in the description
• Relevant topic tags
• Keywords in board names

But here’s the catch, don’t keyword stuff. Write naturally while incorporating terms like “Pinterest Idea Pins” and “How to create Idea Pins” where they make sense.

7. Test and analyze

The only way to know what works for your specific audience is to test different formats, styles, and topics. Use Pinterest Analytics to track:

• Impressions
• Saves
• Click-through rates
• Audience demographics

Then double down on what works and ditch what doesn’t.

Mistakes you should avoid

Even knowing how to create Idea Pins, it’s easy to make mistakes that hurt your performance:

❌ Not adding inks

The whole point of the new format is that you CAN add links now. Don’t waste that opportunity!

❌ Ignoring mobile users

82 % of Pinterest users access the platform through the mobile app. If your pins don’t look good on a phone screen, they won’t perform.

❌ Being too salesy

Pinterest users are in discovery mode, not shopping mode. Inspire first, sell second.

❌ Inconsistent posting

Just like with any social media platform, consistency matters. Create a social media content calendar and stick to it.

❌ Neglecting SEO

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, Pinterest is a search engine. Treat your Pinterest Idea Pins like you would treat any other SEO-optimized content.

Repurposing content for Pinterest Idea Pins

One of the smartest strategies is repurposing existing content into Pinterest Idea Pins (video slideshow format). Already created an Instagram carousel? A Facebook photo album? A TikTok tutorial? A blog post with step-by-step instructions? Perfect candidates for Pinterest!

Here’s how:

1. Instagram Carousels: Export each slide as individual images, upload them to Pinterest, and let Pinterest convert them into a video slideshow
2. Facebook posts & albums: Transform your top-performing Facebook content (especially photo albums and how-to posts) into a video slideshow by uploading multiple images
3. Blog posts: Break down your written content into visual, bite-sized images with text overlays, then upload as a batch to create the video
4. YouTube videos: Extract key frames or clips and add text overlays, these work great as video content on Pinterest
5. TikTok/Reels: Reformat vertical videos for Pinterest (remember to add a link!)

This approach saves you time and ensures you’re getting maximum mileage out of every piece of content you create. Think of it as across-platform content strategy, create once, optimize for each platform’s format, and distribute everywhere.

Pinterest Idea Pins priorities

While Pinterest has technically merged Idea Pins into the standard pin format and changed from swipeable pages to video slideshows, the multi-image storytelling style of content isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s becoming more important.

Pinterest continues to prioritize:

• Video content (especially short-form and slideshow formats)
• Educational and tutorial content
• Multi-image pins that convert to engaging videos
• Authentic, creator-led content

The key is to stay flexible and adapt to the platform’s evolution while maintaining your core content strategy. Don’t mourn the loss of the old story format, embrace the video format that gives you more flexibility and the ability to drive traffic.

Tools to help you create better Pinterest Idea Pins

Creating stunning Pinterest Idea Pins is easier when you have the right tools:

Design Tools:

• Canva (has Pinterest templates built-in)
• Adobe Spark
• Over app

Scheduling Tools:

• Tailwind
• Later
• Kontentino (for managing Pinterest alongside other platforms)

Analytics Tools:

• Pinterest Analytics (built-in)
• Google Analytics (for tracking traffic)
• Tailwind Analytics

Content Creation:

• InShot (video editing)
• VSCO (photo editing)
• CapCut (video editing with templates)

Measuring success

How do you know if your Pinterest Idea Pins are actually working? Look at these key metrics:

Engagement metrics:

• Saves (the most important metric on Pinterest)
• Comments
• Click-through rate
• Impressions

Traffic metrics:

• Website visits from Pinterest
• Conversion rate
• Time on site
• Pages per visit

Growth metrics:

• Follower growth
• Board follower growth
• Monthly viewers

Set specific goals and track your progress over time. Remember, Pinterest is a long-term game, pins can gain traction weeks or even months after posting.

Final thoughts to pin

Pinterest Idea Pins have evolved significantly, and understanding how to create Idea Pins in today’s Pinterest landscape is crucial for social media success. The platform’s shift from swipeable story pages to video slideshow format actually makes things easier and more effective for creators, especially now that you can add links.

The key takeaways:

✅ The old story/swipeable format is gone, it’s now video-based 

✅ Multi-image content automatically converts to slideshow videos (and it’s encouraged) 

✅ You can now add links to drive traffic (huge win!) 

✅ SEO optimization is absolutely essential 

✅ Quality over quantity always wins 

✅ Consistency and testing are your best friends

Now stop reading and start creating! Your first (or next) Pinterest video slideshow is waiting to be made. And remember: the platform is constantly evolving, so stay curious, keep testing, and adapt to what works for your specific audience.And if you’re managing content across multiple platforms, having a solid social media management tool like Kontentino can help you stay organized and consistent. Start a free trial.