Pinterest Trends for September: What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads

Marketing, Pinterest, Pinterest Trends, Podcast

Pinterest Trends for September: What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads by Jen Vazquez Media

Pinterest Trends for September: What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads

September is here, and you know what that means—it’s time to dig into what’s trending on Pinterest and how you can use it to show up for your dream clients. Whether you’re a coach, wedding pro, photographer, or any kind of service provider, Pinterest is where people are already planning ahead. And the best part? You can meet them right where they’re searching.

So let’s talk about what’s trending in September 2025 and how you can turn these trends into leads, clients, and a business that runs smoothly through the busy season.

Why Pinterest Trends Matter Right Now

Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest isn’t about what’s happening today—it’s about what’s coming next. People go there to plan, not just scroll. They’re looking for ideas, answers, and inspiration for the future. And September is prime time to show up with seasonal content that positions your business as the solution they’re searching for.

Top Pinterest Trends for September 2025

1. Fall Décor and Cozy Vibes

Pumpkins, plaid, warm tones—Pinterest is fully in cozy fall mode.

  • Coaches: share fall reset routines, journaling prompts, or cozy morning habits.
  • Photographers: write a blog about what to wear for fall sessions or pin inspiration for mini shoots.
  • Wedding pros: showcase fall wedding venues, florals, and dreamy autumn color palettes.

2. Halloween Planning

Yes, even in September, people are already saving costume ideas, party themes, and spooky DIY projects.

  • Think Halloween brand photo shoot inspiration.
  • Share fun ways to market your business for Halloween.
  • Or create a Halloween-themed freebie to grow your email list.

Marketing + Pinterest Tools

Think of the Visibility Shop as your shortcut to showing up online without the stress. It’s packed with done-for-you templates, AI tools, and marketing resources that cut hours of work into just minutes. Whether you need Pinterest graphics, content prompts, or a full account refresh, you’ll find everything in one place—so you can spend less time stuck on marketing and more time serving your clients.

3. Back-to-Routine + Productivity Hacks

Summer’s over, and people are craving systems and structure.

  • Coaches: talk about resetting workflows or re-engaging clients.
  • Service providers: share goal-setting tools, Q4 planning strategies, or productivity hacks.

4. Holiday Marketing Prep

It feels early, but Pinterest users are already searching for holiday content. From gift guides to promo calendars, now’s the time to start pinning.

  • Service providers: share giftable offers, your go-to tools, or tips for prepping for Black Friday and holiday sales.

What to Create and Pin in September

Here are some quick-win ideas:

  • A blog post or reel about prepping for holiday season.
  • Pins with cozy fall graphics that link to your offers.
  • A carousel or reel with a reset routine checklist.
  • A seasonal freebie like a fall wedding checklist or launch planner.

Remember—Pinterest is a slow burn. Ideally, you want content live 2–3 months before the season. But don’t let a late start stop you! Pin it now, because next year it will rise again at the right time.

Staying Consistent with Trends

You don’t have to do all the things. Pick one or two trends that fit your brand, go all in, and create a mix of content. One blog post, several keyword-rich pins, and maybe a short video to repurpose everywhere (including Pinterest). That’s exactly the strategy I teach inside my club—where you get templates, done-for-you trend breakdowns, and the support to stay consistent without burning out.

So tell me: what are you planning to pin this September? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to brainstorm with you!

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

Fall Content Ideas for Pintere stPinterest Trends for September_ What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads on Marketing Strategy Academy with Jen Vazquez
What to Pin in September Pinterest Trends for September_ What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads on Marketing Strategy Academy with Jen Vazquez
Pinterest Trends for September_ What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads on Marketing Strategy Academy with Jen Vazquez
September Pinterest Trends Pinterest Trends for September_ What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads on Marketing Strategy Academy with Jen Vazquez
Holiday Prep Starts Now Pinterest Trends for September_ What to Pin Now for Traffic and Leads on Marketing Strategy Academy with Jen Vazquez

This May Be Why Your Pinterest Traffic Dropped & What You Can Do About It

Marketing, Pinterest

If your Pinterest traffic has suddenly dropped and you’re wondering what happened, you’re not alone. A recent platform update has caused many creators to experience fewer outbound clicks despite having the same impressions and saves.

Thanks to expert insights from Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media (my mentor and an official Pinterest educator), we now understand exactly what changed and how to fix it.  Let’s dig in.

What Changed with the “Visit Site” Button?

In the past, users could click on a pin, view the close-up, and then click again on the image to go directly to your site. Now, the pin image is no longer clickable.

Instead, Pinterest has introduced a small “Visit Site” button located below the pin image. On mobile or desktop, if this button doesn’t appear, users have no way to access your content.

This added friction has led to a decrease in click-through rates (CTR) and outbound traffic for many users.

Pinterest Pin Graphic saying "What Happened to the Visit Site Button on Pinterest? by Jen Vazquez Media"

No, Pinterest Isn’t Removing Links

Some creators feared that Pinterest was removing links altogether. But Malik Ducard, Pinterest’s Chief Content Officer, reassured users in an interview with Kate Ahl that links are “here to stay.”

However, for a small percentage of pins that don’t meet Pinterest’s evolving quality guidelines, the “Visit Site” button might be moved to a dropdown or hidden entirely. That’s the key issue here—and it’s one you can fix.

Why Pinterest Might Be Hiding Your Link

Pinterest stated that when a pin’s landing page is considered “low quality,” the Visit Site button becomes less visible. While the link isn’t removed, it’s no longer front and center, which drastically impacts traffic potential.

So what does Pinterest consider “low quality”? Let’s look at how to keep your pin (and your link) in good standing.

How to Get Your Pinterest Traffic Back

If your clicks are down, these are the actions Pinterest recommends—straight from what Kate Ahl shared in her recent mastermind sessions and podcast interview:

1. Enable Website Scraping

Make sure Pinterest can crawl your content by allowing its bot access via your robots.txt file. Blocking Pinterest’s crawler can prevent it from properly evaluating your site, and that can flag your pins as lower quality.

2. Avoid Broken or Redirected Links

Always double-check your links before publishing. A 404 page or broken redirect is an instant red flag. You should also test existing pins regularly to ensure that the links still work.

3. Match Your Pin Image to the Landing Page

The image(s) on your pin should appear on the page it links to (i.e. the blog). This visual consistency reassures Pinterest (and users) that the content is trustworthy and aligned.

Pro Tip: If you only have one main image on your blog, try using that same image for all your pins. We don’t know if this is exactly what’s intended by what Kate was told, but I’m testing right now to see if this gets better results.  if you have multiple images on the page, rotate between them—but try to not use unrelated visuals that may confuse Pinterest’s algorithm, especially AI photos which may not get as much reach.

4. Use Matching Keywords

The keywords used in your pin’s title and description should also appear on the linked page. Pinterest wants alignment between the content you’re promoting and where you’re sending users. If there’s a disconnect, Pinterest might hide your link button.

5. Provide Helpful, Valuable Content

If your blog post or landing page doesn’t deliver on the promise of your pin (e.g., misleading title or weak content), users will bounce—and Pinterest sees that. Bounce-back behavior tells the platform that the pin may not be helpful or trustworthy.

6. Improve Your Site Speed

Aim for a page load time under 4 seconds. This is especially critical on mobile, where slower speeds feel even more frustrating. If your site is sluggish, Pinterest may deprioritize your pins and hide your links.

7. Maintain a Safe, Trustworthy Domain

Follow Pinterest’s Merchant Guidelines, even if you’re not an e-commerce brand. That means:

  • No spammy ads
  • Clear contact information
  • Legitimate, user-friendly design
  • No clickbait

A “sketchy” or cluttered design, even unintentionally, could be penalized.

8. Submit a Support Ticket if Needed

If you’ve done everything right and your “Visit Site” button is still hidden, Pinterest’s system may need time to recheck your content. There’s currently no appeal process, but you can submit a support ticket to flag the issue.

A Quick Note on Pinterest Advice

My insights here are based on Kate Ahl’s blog and podcast, which offer some of the most up-to-date guidance available. That said, Pinterest is an ever-evolving platform, and changes can happen quickly—so nothing is ever truly set in stone.

I always hesitate to present things as black and white because Pinterest’s algorithm and business goals are fluid. What works today may shift tomorrow. But this is the most accurate and helpful information we have right now, and I wanted to make sure you had it.

As with all marketing strategies, treat this as a series of micro tests—observe what resonates, adapt to what the platform favors, and refine your approach to get the best results, whether that’s in traffic, engagement, or ROI (including the time you invest). Keep testing, keep adjusting, and keep marketing your business with intention.

Bottom Line

Pinterest’s latest update isn’t about punishing creators—it’s about making the platform better for users. They want people to find helpful, high-quality, and trustworthy content.

If your traffic is down, don’t panic. Review your recent pins and ensure:

  • Your links work
  • Your landing pages are fast and aligned
  • Your pins use accurate images and keywords
  • Your domain gives off “good vibes” (trust and quality)

Pinterest and Google both prioritize helpful content. Align your content strategy with what’s valuable to users, and the traffic will follow.

Don’t Forget To Pin It!

Pinterest pin with text: Why Your Pinterest Traffic Dropped Suddenly by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Pin Graphic saying "What Happened to the Visit Site Button on Pinterest? by Jen Vazquez Media"
Pinterest Pin with these words: How to get Pinterest Clicks Back After the 2025 update by Jen Vazquez Media

How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest (Even If You’re New)

Content Creation, Marketing, Pinterest

pink brick background with women's fingers creating an OK sign with a red suit code

How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest (Even If You’re New)

Affiliate marketing on Pinterest isn’t just possible—it’s a total game-changer for bringing in extra income while helping your audience find products and services they’ll love.

I’ve been using Pinterest for years (since it was invite-only!) to grow my photography and marketing businesses, and let me tell you—adding affiliate links was a no-brainer once I realized how easy and effective it is. If you’re already pinning content and driving traffic to your site, why not monetize it?

In this post, I’m breaking down how you can use Pinterest to make money through affiliate links—without feeling salesy or spammy. Let’s dive in!

What is Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest?

Affiliate marketing = sharing a product or service through a unique link and earning a commission when someone makes a purchase through that link.

Pinterest is perfect for affiliate marketing because it’s not social media—it’s a search engine. People go on Pinterest to look for solutions and discover ideas. That means they’re already in the mindset to take action when they come across your content.

Pinterest also has a long shelf life. Unlike Instagram or TikTok posts that disappear after 24 hours, pins can continue driving traffic (and sales) for months or even years.

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs

Not all affiliate programs are created equal. The key is to choose products and services that align with your audience and niche.

Here are some of my go-to affiliate programs:

  • Amazon Associates – Great for almost any niche because Amazon has literally everything.
  • LTK (formerly RewardStyle) – Perfect for fashion, home, and lifestyle content.
  • Service-Based Affiliate Programs – If you love a business tool (like Tailwind, Canva, or my Pinterest membership), see if they have an affiliate program (I do!)! It’s an easy way to earn while helping others grow their business.

✨ Pro Tip: Only recommend products or services you’ve actually used and love—your audience will trust you more when they know you’re not just selling to make a quick buck.

How to Create Pinterest Content with Affiliate Links

➡️ Option 1: Direct Pinning

This is where you link directly from your pin to an affiliate product. It’s fast and easy, but there’s a catch: Pinterest gives more reach to content that leads to your website (not directly to a product).

Best Practices:
 ✅ Add a clear disclosure in the pin description (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links”).
 ✅ Use high-quality images that match Pinterest’s vertical format (2:3 ratio).
 ✅ Include a compelling call-to-action (CTA) like “Click to see why I love this!”

➡️ Option 2: Indirect Linking

This is where the magic happens. Instead of linking directly to the product, you create a blog post or landing page that talks about the product.

Why this works better:
 ✅ You can provide context and personal insight—this builds trust.
 ✅ Your audience gets more value from the post itself.
 ✅ Pinterest prefers links that lead to helpful content (aka, your blog).

Example Strategy:

  1. Write a blog post about a product you love.
  2. Share why you love it, how it helped you, and what your audience will gain from using it.
  3. Include the affiliate link within the blog post.
  4. Create a pin that links to your blog post, not directly to the product.

This method feels more organic and converts better because people are already in the mindset to trust your recommendations.

Affiliate Marketing Compliance (Super Important!)

Affiliate marketing comes with some legal stuff you need to follow (but don’t stress—it’s easy).

✨ If you’re linking directly to an affiliate product or servicet, add a disclosure in the pin description.
 ✨ If you’re linking to a blog post, include an FTC disclosure in the blog (but you don’t have to disclose it on the pin).
 ✨ Transparency builds trust—and trust = more clicks and sales.

Track Your Results (So You Can Do More of What Works!)

Pinterest gives you all the data you need to adjust and improve your strategy. Keep an eye on these key metrics:

  • Impressions: How many people see your pin.
  • Clicks: How many people click through to your blog or product page.
  • Saves: How many people save your pin (this increases visibility).
  • Outbound Clicks: How many people click through to the actual affiliate link and potentially make a purchase.

If a certain type of pin or product is performing well—create more of it!

TIP:  You can download my Pinterest Analyzer for free to start tracking your numbers here.

Example Strategy in Action:

Let’s say you’re a photographer who loves a certain camera bag. Here’s how you could create an affiliate strategy around it:

  1. Write a blog post about the camera bag—why you love it, how it’s improved your workflow, etc.
  2. Create 3-5 different pins for the post, using varied headlines and designs.
  3. Optimize the pin description with keywords like “best camera bag for photographers.”
  4. Track the results in Pinterest Analytics.
  5. If it’s working well—create similar content for other camera gear you love!

Why Pinterest + Affiliate Marketing Works So Well

Pinterest isn’t just another platform—it’s a search engine. That means your content doesn’t disappear after a day; it keeps working for you.

People on Pinterest are planners—they’re looking for products and solutions. That means they’re more likely to buy when they find helpful content through your pins.

Affiliate marketing on Pinterest is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make passive income—once you have a strategy in place, it becomes a set-it-and-forget-it system.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Scale Big

Affiliate marketing on Pinterest doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with one or two affiliate programs, focus on creating helpful content, and track what works.

Once you start seeing results, you can scale by creating more pins, testing different designs, and expanding to new affiliate programs.

✨ If you’ve been wondering if affiliate marketing is worth it—this is your sign to start!

Don’t Forget To Pin It!

Pinterest Trends Weekly: Autumn Reset

Content Creation, Marketing, Pinterest, Pinterest Trends

Weekly Pinterest Trends_ Autumn Reset by Jen Vazquez media Pinterest Manager and educator

Pinterest Trends Weekly: Autumn Reset

I’m back with the latest trends from Pinterest, and this week, we’re diving into the theme of an Autumn Reset. Let’s jump right in and see what’s catching everyone’s eye!

What’s driving these trends?

Pinterest is a visionary platform where over 522 million people come each month to find inspiration and ideas. That’s more than half a billion people sharing their goals and dreams!

By keeping an eye on Pinterest trends, you can glean valuable insights into what might be trending elsewhere in the near future. Each week, Pinterest Predicts Weekly highlights actionable search trends across various categories, regions, and demographic groups.

How To Use Pinterest Trends Masterclass

Join me for a free masterclass, “How to Use Pinterest Trends” In this session, I’ll show you how to tap into the power of Pinterest Trends to boost your brand’s visibility and drive more traffic to your content. Whether you’re new to Pinterest or looking to refine your strategy, this masterclass will provide actionable tips and insights to help your business stand out. Plus, by attending live, you’ll have the opportunity to ask me questions directly and access an exclusive bonus.

\Don’t miss out—save your spot today!

SIGN UP FREE

What’s Trending This Week? Autumn Reset

This week, the spotlight is on ways to revamp daily and weekly rituals, set goals, and track progress. Here’s the lowdown on the latest growing search terms over the last three weeks compared to the previous three weeks:

  • Two times increase in Sunday Reset Routine
  • 90% increase in Routine Planner
  • 30% increase in Goal Board
  • 25% increase in daily habits
  • 25% increase in weekly schedule

As fall approaches

There’s also a noticeable uptick in searches for beauty, home, and food inspiration:

Beauty Trends

  • 65% increase in ways to dye your hair
  • 60% increase in fall scents
  • 40% increase in how to use a Gua Sha (A Gua Sha, in case you’re wondering, is a traditional Chinese tool used in facial massages.)
  • 35% increase in low maintenance blonde hair

Home Trends

  • 170% increase in office inspiration
  • 60% increase in household cleaning tips
  • 40% increase in outdoor learning spaces
  • 30% increase in meditation room decor

Food Trends

  • 190% increase in searches for frugal meals
  • 120% increase in college grocery lists
  • 55% increase in snack organization ideas
  • 50% increase in grab-and-go breakfast

Audience Spotlight: Millennials

Gen Y users are focusing on personal health and wellness. Here’s what they’re searching for in the past three weeks compared to the previous three weeks:

  • 65% increase in skincare essentials
  • 45% increase in monthly meal planning
  • 40% increase in inspirational books
  • 40% increase in Meatless Monday recipes
  • 25% increase in cycle syncing workouts

 

Moment Spotlight: Back to Work

With new routines comes a surge in searches related to office style, lunches, and desk organization:

  • Five times increase in fun work outfits
  • 40% increase in easy work lunches
  • 45% increase in casual work outfits
  • 45% increase in work desk organization
  • 30% increase in work outfits with sneakers
  • 25% increase in work from home setup

Editorial Activations and Upcoming Trends

Pinterest is letting people know they can sponsor editorial articles or shopping spotlights to align with key moments. I share this not to encourage creating ads but to inspire you to create content, like blog posts or Pinterest pins, that tie into these themes.

Upcoming Weeks to Watch

  • Sept 30 – Oct 6: Make it or break it with spooky mood projects and movie night vibes.
  • Oct 7 – 13: Spirit Week featuring homecoming aesthetics and Halloween costumes.
  • Oct 14 – 20: SPICE up your life with pumpkin spice and fall travel must-haves.
  • Oct 21 – 27: Snackable treats and routines that are easy to prep.
  • Oct 28 – Nov 3: Sugar rush with Halloween baking and party ideas.

There you have it, folks! I hope this helps you stay ahead of the curve with your content creation. Whether you’re a blogger, marketer, or Pinterest enthusiast, these insights can give you that creative spark you need.

Have a fantastic week and happy pinning!

Here is more information that may be helpful!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Transform Your Pinterest Marketing with Autumn Trend Insights by Jen Vazquez Media Pinterest Manager and Pinterest Education
Pinterest Trends 2024_ How to Drive Traffic with Seasonal Content by Jen Vazquez Media Pinterest Manager and Pinterest Education
Maximize Engagement_ Pinterest Marketing Tips for Fall Trends by Jen Vazquez Media Pinterest Manager and Pinterest Education
How to Use Pinterest Trends to Optimize Your Autumn Content by Jen Vazquez Media Pinterest Manager and Pinterest Education
Boost Your Pinterest Marketing with the Latest Autumn Trends How to Use Pinterest Trends to Optimize Your Autumn Content by Jen Vazquez Media Pinterest Manager and Pinterest Education