If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: “Are Pinterest ads even worth it?” In a world that screams about Instagram trends and TikTok hacks every five seconds, Pinterest feels like this quiet, often-overlooked little corner of the internet.
But here’s the thing. That “quiet corner”?
It’s filled with buyers. Not just scrollers. Not just people looking for entertainment. People actively searching for ideas, products, and services—and making decisions.
And if you show up at the right time, in the right way?
Yes, you absolutely can make money with Pinterest ads.
I know because I’ve done it. And today, I’m pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how.
Why Pinterest Ads Are Different (And Why That Matters)
First, let’s clear something up: Pinterest is not a social media platform.
It’s a search engine—with pictures.
That means when people log onto Pinterest, they’re not looking to kill time like they might on Instagram or Facebook. They’re searching. They’re planning. They’re shopping.
Think about it:
- Brides planning their weddings.
- Moms decorating nurseries.
- Entrepreneurs looking for marketing strategies.
- Homeowners searching for renovation ideas.
- Business owners researching new tools.
When someone finds your product, service, or resource through a Pinterest ad, it doesn’t feel intrusive. It feels like they found exactly what they were looking for.
And that, my friend, is why Pinterest ads convert so beautifully when done right.
How I Started Making Money with Pinterest Ads
A few years ago, I made a decision: I wanted to grow my business without relying so heavily on social media. I didn’t want to be chained to my phone 24/7, chasing engagement and algorithms.
So I doubled down on long-form marketing (like my blog), SEO, and Pinterest.
At first, I was all about organic Pinterest traffic (which is amazing, by the way—and still a huge part of my strategy). But when I decided to test out Pinterest ads? Everything changed.
I started small—about $5 to $10 a day—testing simple campaigns promoting my best-selling products and services.
And what I found absolutely changed the way I think about marketing:
Over the last few years, I’ve spent $41,000 running Pinterest ads to promote a single digital product.
And from that one product?
I’ve generated over $684,000 in revenue.
Let’s break that down:
- That’s a 1,568% return on ad spend (ROAS)
- For every $1 I spent on Pinterest ads, I made $16.68 back
- That’s the kind of performance most ad platforms DREAM about delivering
- And it’s been almost entirely powered by Pinterest ads + my email list—no daily posting, no viral Reels, no constant burnout
This strategy didn’t just boost my revenue—it gave me my freedom back.
I built a system that quietly worked behind the scenes, allowing me to grow my business while being present with my family, without needing to hustle around the clock.
No massive ad agencies. No complex funnels.
Just a simple, sustainable strategy that kept working for me, month after month.
How to Actually Make Money with Pinterest Ads
Now, here’s where most people go wrong: They jump in without a plan. They run ads for the wrong products. Or they target the wrong audience. Or they create beautiful pins… but link them to confusing landing pages.
If you want your ads to actually make money (and not just rack up impressions), here’s what you need to know:
1. Start with Your Best-Seller
Don’t try to use Pinterest ads to “save” a product that isn’t selling organically. Promote your best-seller—the thing you know people already want.
Ask yourself:
- What product or service has already proven itself?
- What offer feels like a “no-brainer” for my ideal customer?
- What solves a clear, urgent problem?
Start there.
2. Think Like a Searcher, Not a Scroller
When you create your ad, remember: people on Pinterest are searching for solutions.
That means your ad needs to feel like an answer, not an interruption.
👉 Clear headline.
👉 Simple, beautiful imagery.
👉 Strong call-to-action.
👉 A landing page that delivers exactly what your ad promised.
No bait-and-switch. No vague messaging. Just a clear solution.
3. Target Intentionally
Pinterest makes it easy to target your ads based on keywords, interests, demographics, and even specific search behavior.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Use relevant keywords your audience is actually searching.
- Layer in interests that match your ideal client’s lifestyle or goals.
- Start simple and expand based on what’s working.
You don’t need to overcomplicate it—especially at first.
4. Optimize, But Don’t Obsess
Yes, you’ll want to check on your campaigns regularly.
Yes, you’ll want to tweak your creatives and keywords if something’s not performing.
But it’s 100% possible to set up good-performing ads and simply let them do their thing. That’s why I love Pinterest ads so much.
Pinterest ads are a long game.
Give your ads time to gather data before making huge changes.
I usually give new campaigns at least 7–10 days before adjusting anything major.
Consistency wins here, just like it does everywhere else in business.
Want My Exact Pinterest Ad Strategy?
If you’re nodding along thinking, “Okay, this sounds amazing but how do I actually DO this?”
Don’t worry—I’ve got you.
I created The Pinterest Ad Strategy because so many of my friends (and fellow business owners) kept asking me how I was getting such great results without spending a fortune.
Inside the course, I walk you through:
- How to set up your Pinterest ad campaigns step-by-step
- What kind of creatives to use (with real examples)
- How to set budgets and track conversions
- Mistakes to avoid that cost people money (and how to sidestep them!)
It’s under 90 minutes—no fluff, no overwhelm, just the exact system I still use today.
You can grab it right here if you’re ready to skip the trial and error and get to the good part faster.
So, can you actually make money with Pinterest ads?
Absolutely.
But not by throwing spaghetti at the wall. Not by hoping and wishing.
It happens when you show up intentionally. When you lead with value. When you focus on helping the person on the other side of the search bar find what they’ve been looking for all along.
You don’t need a massive budget.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard.
You just need a plan—and the willingness to start.
Trust me, it’s more than possible, and I can show you how to do it.
