By Muhammad Ali Qureshi · Updated October 2026
Do hashtags work on Pinterest?
Only to a small degree. Pinterest is a search engine built on keywords, not a hashtag feed like Instagram, so hashtags are not what drives your reach. At best they reinforce the topic of a pin. Your title, description, board name and the page you link to do the heavy lifting, so treat hashtags as a small extra, never a replacement.
How many hashtags should you use?
Keep it to two to five specific hashtags per pin. More does not add reach and just clutters the description. Choose tags that describe the pin precisely, for example #healthydinnerrecipes instead of a broad tag like #food.
Where to put hashtags on a pin
Add them at the end of the pin description, after your real sentences. There is no separate hashtag field. Do not put hashtags in the title, since that space is better spent on your keyword.
How to choose good Pinterest hashtags
- Match the pin. Describe what the pin actually shows or teaches.
- Be specific. Niche tags (#smallbalconygarden) are more useful than giant tags (#garden).
- Reuse your search phrase. Turn your main keyword into a hashtag. Find it with the Pinterest keyword generator.
- Skip banned or irrelevant tags. Anything unrelated to the pin looks spammy.
- Check seasonality. Use Pinterest Trends (trends.pinterest.com) to see what people look for and when.
Example Pinterest hashtag sets by niche
| Niche | Example hashtags |
|---|---|
| Recipes | #healthydinnerrecipes #easyweeknightmeals #mealprepideas |
| Home decor | #smallspacedecor #livingroomideas #cozyhomedecor |
| Fashion | #capsulewardrobe #fallfashionideas #workwearoutfits |
| Blogging | #pinterestmarketingtips #bloggrowth #pinterestforbloggers |
| Travel | #budgettraveltips #familytravelideas #weekendgetaways |
Notice that each set describes a specific topic. That is the pattern to copy. The generator builds sets like these from your niche, and you choose the two to five that fit your pin.
Hashtags vs keywords: which matters more?
Keywords matter far more. Pinterest decides what to show for a search mainly from the words in your title, description, board and linked page. Hashtags are a minor extra. If you only have five minutes, spend them on a strong title and description. Add hashtags last, and only if they genuinely describe the pin.
Hashtag mistakes to avoid
- Using broad tags only. #food or #love tell Pinterest almost nothing.
- Copying the same block on every pin. Match the tags to each pin instead.
- Hiding the keyword in hashtags. If a phrase matters, write it in a normal sentence too.
- Adding unrelated trending tags. It looks spammy and attracts the wrong audience.
How to use the Pinterest hashtag generator
- Enter your niche or topic, for example "healthy dinner recipes".
- Click Generate to get a set of hashtags with scores.
- Pick two to five that fit the pin and paste them at the end of the description.
- Write the sentences before them with the pin description generator or rewrite them with the SEO description optimizer.
Want a deeper look? Read our complete Pinterest hashtags guide, compare tools in the best Pinterest hashtag generators roundup and see how everything fits in the Pinterest SEO guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do hashtags still work on Pinterest?
Only a little. Pinterest relies mainly on keywords in titles, descriptions and board names. Hashtags can reinforce the topic but should never replace those.
How many hashtags should I use on Pinterest?
Two to five specific hashtags per pin is enough. More does not increase reach.
Where should I put hashtags?
At the end of the pin description. Never in the title.
How do I add hashtags to a pin?
Type them at the end of the description field. Pinterest has no separate hashtag field.
Do hashtags work in board descriptions?
They add little there. Use clear, conversational keyword sentences instead.