Promoted Pins vs. Pinterest Ads: Which One is Right for Your Business?

When it comes to advertising on Pinterest, one of the first questions businesses often ask is, What’s the difference between Promoted Pins vs. Pinterest Ads? 

While both options can help you grow your business, they serve different purposes and work best in different situations. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences, share tips for success, and help you choose the right strategy for your goals.

What Are Promoted Pins?

Promoted Pins are standard pins you pay to boost so they reach a larger audience. They appear in search results and users’ home feeds, blending seamlessly with organic content. If your business has a limited budget or needs quick results, Promoted Pins are a great choice.

Benefits of Promoted Pins:

• Quick Setup: Easy to create and launch, perfect for small campaigns.
• Cost-Effective: Works well with smaller budgets (e.g., $3/day).
• Long Lifespan: Once saved, Promoted Pins continue to circulate organically without extra cost.
• High Engagement: Pins that perform well organically can generate even more clicks and saves when promoted.

Best for:

• Short-term promotions like sales or limited-time offers.
• Boosting engagement on pins that are already performing well.

Limitations of Promoted Pins:

• Basic Targeting: Only allows targeting by age, gender, and interests.
• No A/B Testing: You can’t test different versions of your ad.
• Limited Scope: Best for short-term goals, not long-term growth.

Want to learn more about how to get started with Pinterest Ads? Check out our article, Pinterest Ads for Beginners.

What Are Pinterest Ads?

Pinterest Ads go a step further, allowing you to create structured campaigns with multiple ads. These campaigns offer advanced targeting options, A/B testing, and the ability to optimize for long-term growth.

Benefits of Pinterest Ads:

• Advanced Targeting: Reach audiences using keywords, retargeting, and interest-based filters.
• Multiple Ad Formats: Options include video pins, carousel ads, and shopping ads.
• Better Testing Options: Run A/B tests to see what works best for your audience.
• Long-Term Strategy: Perfect for building brand awareness and driving consistent traffic.

Best for:

• Businesses with larger budgets looking to scale.
• Long-term campaigns aimed at building audiences or generating sales.

Struggling to find the right keywords for your campaign? Don’t miss our guide on Keyword Research for Pinterest.

Key Differences Between Promoted Pins and Pinterest Ads

Feature	Pinterest Ads	Promoted Pins
Purpose	Long-term growth, audience building, and scaling your marketing strategy.	Short-term boosts for individual pins or time-sensitive campaigns.
Setup Complexity	Requires planning, detailed targeting, and multiple ad formats.	Simple to set up; boosts one existing pin directly.
Targeting Options	Advanced (keywords, interests, retargeting, custom audiences).	Basic (age, gender, and interests only).
Budget Requirements	A higher budget is required to manage multiple ad groups and campaigns.	Budget-friendly, starting at $3/day for short durations.
Testing Options	Includes A/B testing for ad performance.	No testing is available; focuses on one pin at a time.
Ad Formats	Standard pins, video pins, carousel ads, shopping ads, and collection pins.	Standard organic pins that are boosted for increased visibility.
Best For	Businesses seeking long-term brand visibility and customer acquisition.	Quick engagement boosts or last-minute campaigns with limited scope.
Example Usage	Promoting a product line for several months with keyword targeting.	Highlighting a single pin for a week-long flash sale.

Tips for Success

With Promoted Pins:

• Focus on pins that already perform well organically.
• Keep your campaigns short and targeted.
• Use eye-catching visuals and clear, engaging descriptions.

With Pinterest Ads:

• Set aside a larger budget for testing and optimizing campaigns.
• Use advanced targeting options to reach the right audience.
• Regularly monitor analytics to fine-tune your strategy.

FAQ: Common Questions About Promoted Pins vs Pinterest Ads

1. Which is better for small businesses?

Promoted Pins work well for small budgets and short-term goals. Pinterest Ads are better for scaling and long-term growth.

2. How much should I budget for Pinterest Ads?

Consider starting with $20–$50/day for campaigns to gather meaningful data. Promoted Pins can start at $3/day for quick boosts.

3. Can Promoted Pins be converted into Pinterest Ads?

No, Promoted Pins are separate. To switch, you’ll need to create a Pinterest Ads campaign from scratch.

4. What types of businesses benefit most from Pinterest Ads?

Pinterest Ads work well for businesses in industries like home decor, food, fashion, DIY, and wellness, where users actively search for inspiration and ideas.

5. Are Promoted Pins or Pinterest Ads better for e-commerce?

Pinterest Ads generally perform better for e-commerce because of their advanced targeting and conversion tracking.

Final Thoughts

Both Promoted Pins and Pinterest Ads have their place in a solid Pinterest marketing strategy. Promoted Pins offer a quick and affordable way to boost engagement, while Pinterest Ads provide more tools for driving long-term growth.

Ready to start your Pinterest marketing journey? Learn more with our Pinterest Ads for Beginners guide or get professional help by contacting us. 

Whether you’re promoting a single pin or planning a full campaign, Pinterest is a powerful platform to help your business grow.

For a clear understanding of the differences between Promoted Pins and Pinterest Ads, check out Pinterest’s official guide: Promoted Pins Overview.

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