How to Instantly Fix Dead Pinterest Pins (7 Gritty Truths You Need to Know)

ByHilary

From a Woman who is on a journey for a second act in blogging

Ever feel like you’re shouting into the void on Pinterest? You’ve made the graphics, written the captions, followed the trends—and still, crickets. If that sounds familiar, you may be dealing with dead Pinterest Pins. The good news? You can fix them. This post dives into 10 gritty truths behind what’s holding you back and how to fix dead Pinterest Pins so they finally get the views (and clicks) they deserve.

I’m not an expert (yet), but as a lifestyle content creator in my 40s who shares wine tasting recs, travel finds, and how to age gracefully while staying stylish, I’ve learned a ton about what not to do on Pinterest.

So instead of another how-to, here’s a “what I wish I knew”—from one content-creating, wine-loving woman to another.

1. Your Pinterest SEO Is Weak — Fix Dead Pinterest Pins with Better Keywords

Pinterest isn’t Instagram. It’s a visual Google.

If your pin titles don’t match what people are actively searching, they won’t find your stuff. Period.

Now, I search Pinterest before I title anything or write the description. “Wine weekend itinerary,” “chic Napa outfits,” “easy summer travel looks”—those are gold. “Fun day out” or “wine”? Not so much. Just go to Pinterest and start typing in the key words and see what pops up. Be sure and include them into your text overlays on the pin, the description, and even hashtags.

Tip: Research trends on Pinterest to see what people are searching for and draft your stories based on these. That way you are meeting people with what they want to learn about.

2. Pins Need a Clear, Clickable Hook

Text overlays on the visual pin are VERY IMPORTANT! But not every text you add will drive clicks. For example, “Travel Style Vibes” will flop. Why? No hook, no keywords, no clarity. Think, “how to,” “tips,” for your text.

Now I use headlines that answer the question my audience is already asking, like:

  • “5 Must-Pack Outfits for a Wine Tasting Weekend”
  • “Stylish & Comfy Travel Shoes for Women Over 40″

Tips: Don’t use fonts that are pretty and not readable. See my examples below for what not to do!

3. Patience Pays Off (But Wow, It’s Slow)

Pinterest is not about overnight success. You have to give it time. It takes the algorithm time to index your pins. Just wait and you will see progress in the days and weeks ahead. Keep an eye on what pins are gaining traction from your insights and then repeat that for other pins. It could be the title, great key words, or a strong visual. But watch your insights and be patient!

So now I treat every pin like a planted seed. Some bloom quickly. Others grow slow and steady. But they grow.

4. You’re Pinning at the Wrong Times — When to Post to Fix Dead Pinterest Pins

Check your stats!

My analytics showed my audience is most active on Thursdays between 9–12 p.m. PST. I try and schedule my new pins and re-pins around the time my audience is most active. You should absolutely use the scheduler, too! I batch load several pins and schedule them during the window of time suggested to ensure maximum visibility. I’ll do this once or twice a week and just dedicate to Pinterest marketing.

5. You’re Not Posting Enough — How 10 Pins a Day Can Fix Dead Pinterest Pins

This one changed the game: Yes, Pinterest loves volume—but not every pin has to be original.

Aim for at least 10 total pins per day. That feels like a lot! Believe me, I know. But the good news is that they don’t all have to be original pins to count. Pinterest rewards new pins but also re-pins. This part is important, don’t pin to the same URL in the same day! It needs to see that you are engaging and adding content regularly. That includes:

  • 2–3 fresh pins you created that link to your blog articles or even your affiliate products
  • 7–8 high-quality re-pins from other creators in your niche

Think of it like curating a boutique store—mix your stuff with inspiration that aligns with your audience’s taste.

6. Don’t forget your pinterest Boards.

I used to name boards things like “My Stuff” or “Weekend Inspo.” Not helpful. Use your keyword research on pins to your advantage. Name your boards with clear and specific terms so that people will understand them and want to follow you. Be sure and do the same with descriptions so new followers will know what to expect.

Now I name them with SEO in mind:

  • ✅ “Fashion Over 40 – Effortless Everyday Looks”
  • ✅ “Budget Friendly Wine Recommendations”
  • ✅ “Vibrant Health After 40”

And I fill the descriptions with phrases my audience searches for, like “comfy but cute outfits for women in their 40s” or “wine tasting travel ideas for couples.”

Pinterest reads that info and uses it to recommend your content. Don’t skip it.

7. Your Designs Are Stale — How Canva Helps Fix Dead Pinterest Pins (Without Recycling Too Much)

Canva is my go-to for designing pins. I can definitely say this is worth the annual subscription. I use it DAILY! It has gorgeous templates made just for Pinterest. But here’s the key: don’t use the same design template one over and over. Don’t do what I did!

I was in love with a few Canva templates I used multiple times. Pinterest noticed. And didn’t love it as much as I did. It’s so easy to just find a few templates and bulk design them with a different image and text for your pages.

Now I rotate templates, colors, and fonts—even just adjusting layout, image crop, or text position can make it feel fresh.

Pinterest rewards original designs, even if it’s just a remix.

Instead:

  • Use 3–4 templates in rotation
  • Swap out fonts and background colors
  • Add your own photos (especially travel + wine shots—they stop the scroll!) If you don’t have great images yet, Canva has a lot of wonderful stock photos that you can search for and add.

Tip: Also, Pinterest loves Idea Pins right now. Try carousels and videos. If you’re not using them yet, start now. That’s next on my list!

Even with similar content, visually switching things up keeps Pinterest happy—and your feed feeling fresh.

Final Pour: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect—You Just Have to Be Consistent

Pinterest isn’t about viral luck or being a designer. It’s about showing up, using the right keywords, and giving your audience the value they’re already searching for.

But here’s the real truth: it takes time.
Building a following, gaining traction on your pins, and figuring out what works doesn’t happen overnight.

If I could pour you a glass and tell you one thing face-to-face, it would be this:
Be patient. Be persistent. And know that every pin is planting a seed.

If you’re in your 40s (or fabulous at any age) and building a nice for your ‘second act’—Pinterest is your platform. Stay with it. It works.

💬 Now I want to hear from you! What’s worked for you on Pinterest? Drop your favorite tip or biggest surprise in the comments below—let’s help each other grow.

👉 Follow me @mywinewalk and check out the blog at mywinewalk.com for more Pinterest tips, wine travel guides, and behind-the-scenes content creation ideas. Cheers!

#PinterestMarketing #PinterestTips #GrowOnPinterest #PinterestForBloggers #ContentThatConverts