Thread by @nichegrownerd

Pinterest just dropped something MASSIVE:

For the first time ever, we can see the actual search volumes directly from Pinterest.

Here's what you need to know when you want to scale your traffic 👇

Until late 2024, Pinterest didn’t show any real search volume data.

Creators had to rely on:
– Pinterest Trends (just a score from 0–100)

– Pinterest Ads (vague at best)
– Google volume (wildly inaccurate for Pinterest)

But now?

We’ve got real monthly numbers - straight from the source.

Pinterest now shows search volume on its “Idea Pages.”

These are topic hubs for specific keywords, e.g.:

🔹 “Chicken dinner ideas”
🔹 “Divorce quotes”
🔹 “Toddler bedtime tips”

Each one shows how many times it’s been searched in the last 30 days.

But here’s the kicker:

👉 Most creators are using this data the wrong way.

Just because a KW has 50,000 searches doesn’t mean it’ll send you 50,000 views.

This isn’t Google.

✅ Pinterest doesn’t give all the traffic to position #1
✅ Users scroll more

✅ Engagement spreads across many pins
✅ And… most searches are soft intent

Let me explain 👇

On Google, search is intent-heavy.

User types: “best credit card 2025”

→ Clicks first link
→ Buys
→ Done.

80%+ of the clicks go to the top 2–3 results.

📊 That’s why SEO is all about ranking.

Pinterest is different.

On Pinterest, search is exploratory.

User types: “small kitchen makeover”

→ Scrolls 20 pins
→ Saves 7
→ Clicks 1

They’re browsing ideas - not laser-focused buying.

So ranking #1 doesn’t guarantee massive traffic like it does on Google.

So should we ignore Pinterest search volume completely?

Not at all. In fact, it’s powerful when used correctly.

But it’s not about ranking #1.

Here’s what volume is useful for:

→ Validating a niche
→ Prioritizing content
→ Discovering seasonal demand
→ Surfacing Pinterest-native keywords

Let’s break each one down 👇

Use Pinterest search volume to validate a niche.

Compare:
🔹 “Gardening tips” = 30K searches/month
🔹 “Rural homesteading” = 3K
🔹 “Backyard chicken coop ideas” = 1K

All are great - but now you have real data to decide where to start, and how broad to go.

Use it to prioritize which pins to create.

Say you have 100 KW ideas in your niche.

Now that you can sort by volume, focus first on:

✅ High-volume KWs with low competition

✅ Keywords that map to strong click intent

✅ Seasonal topics trending upward (you’ll see this in PinClicks)

Data + intent = win.

But here’s the trap: High volume ≠ High click intent.

Example:
🔸 “Divorce quotes” = 76,000 monthly searches
🔸 “How to file for divorce with no money” = 77 searches

Which one gets you traffic?

The first? Maybe some saves.

The second? Almost guaranteed clicks.

Don’t confuse interest with intent.

Pinterest search is heavily influenced by the platform itself.

Guided search, filter bubbles, dropdown suggestions
- they all shape behavior.

So should we ignore Pinterest search volume completely?

Not at all. In fact, it’s powerful when used correctly.

But it’s not about ranking #1.

Here’s what volume is useful for:

Pinterest creates demand by surfacing certain KWs, even if no one searched for them.

That’s why “chicken nugget aesthetic” has 804 searches. (No joke.)

Use search volume with related KW exploration.

My current process inside PinClicks:

✅ Search a root KW
✅ Explore related interests

✅ Sort by volume + connections
✅ Prioritize based on relevance to user pain points

This gives me a clear map of a real opportunity
- not just big numbers.

What about KWs with 0 volume? Should you avoid them?

Pinterest shows volume as low as 5 monthly searches.

But here’s the kicker:

Some low-volume KWs still send consistent traffic
- if they’re closely connected to popular, high-engagement pins.

If Pinterest has built relationships around it, go for it.

Think of KWs like fishing hooks.

The more you drop in the water, the more chances you have to get clicks.

But only if you put them in the right spot.

Use high-volume KWs for reach.

Use lower-volume, high-intent KWs for clicks.

💡 Together, they build your traffic snowball.

Final takeaway:

Pinterest search volume matters.

But only when you understand how to interpret it.

💡 Don’t chase big numbers.
💡 Don’t expect SEO-style traffic.
💡 Use it to find signal.
💡 Then design your pins for click-worthy intent.

Strategy + nuance wins.

I'm giving away my FREE $5K Pinterest Blueprint

(Based on scaling 200+ client & own sites)

✅ The exact steps I’d take to get to $5,000/mo in 12 months
✅ What to focus on (and what to ignore)

Grab it for FREE: nichegrownerd.com