How to Join the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program

At Pin Nerds Media, we have helped many businesses successfully apply and get accepted into the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program.

In this guide, we will share with you the best practices, tips, and strategies to increase your chances of getting verified on Pinterest and enjoy the benefits of this exclusive program.

Let’s get down to business, to join the Pinterest Verified Merchant program, you need to ensure that your website and products meet the platform’s guidelines, offer great customer service, and provide high-quality products. When applying, showcase your brand’s unique value proposition and provide detailed information about your business and products.

What is the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program?

The Pinterest Verified Merchant Program is a special program designed for businesses that sell products on Pinterest. The program is currently available only in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

By joining this program, you can get a verified checkmark badge on your profile and product pins, which signals to users that your business is legitimate, and trustworthy, and provides a high-quality shopping experience.

Moreover, verified merchants enjoy several benefits, including access to shopping features such as Shop the Look, Catalogs, and dynamic retargeting ads, as well as priority support from Pinterest and eligibility for special events and marketing campaigns.

Eligibility Requirements for the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program

If your business meets these requirements, you can apply for the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program by following these steps:

1. Log in to your Pinterest business account and go to the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program page.
2. Click on the “Get started” button and provide your business information, including your business name, website URL, and product category.
3. Read and agree to the Pinterest Merchant Program Terms and Conditions and Advertising Policies.
4. Connect your product catalog to your Pinterest account and verify your ownership of the website and the catalog.
5. Wait for Pinterest to review your application, which may take up to several weeks.

Second Option: Connecting Products and Applying to the Verified Merchant Program on Pinterest

1. Navigate to Business Hub: Open Pinterest and go to the left-side menu to access the ‘Business Hub’.
2. Manage Business Section: Navigate to the ‘Manage business’ section on the right.
3. Catalogs and Product Groups: Select ‘Catalogs and product groups’. This area allows you to manage your product listings.
4. Connect Your Data Source: Choose one of the available options to connect your data source. This will enable you to publish new Pins and systematically organize all your products.

For businesses looking to apply to become a verified merchant on Pinterest, you can visit the official application page: Pinterest Verified Merchant Program. This link provides access to the application form and additional details about the program.

Benefits of being a verified merchant on Pinterest

Becoming a verified merchant on Pinterest can provide a number of benefits for businesses, including:

Increased visibility and credibility

Verified merchants receive a checkmark badge on their profile and product pins, which signals to users that their business is legitimate, trustworthy, and provides a high-quality shopping experience.

Access to shopping features

Verified merchants can access exclusive shopping features such as Shop the Look, Catalogs, and dynamic retargeting ads, which can help them showcase their products and drive sales.

Priority support from Pinterest

Verified merchants have access to priority support from Pinterest, which can help them resolve any issues or questions they may have quickly and efficiently.

Eligibility for special events and marketing campaigns

Pinterest frequently hosts special events and marketing campaigns for verified merchants, which can help them reach new audiences and increase their sales.

Overall, becoming a verified merchant on Pinterest can help businesses increase their visibility, credibility, and sales on the platform, as well as access exclusive shopping features and support from Pinterest.

How to Apply for the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program?

To apply for the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Your Pinterest account must be at least 3 months old.
• Ensure your business website is claimed on Pinterest.
• Fill out your “About” section and add a profile picture to your Pinterest profile.
• Make sure that your products and website adhere to Pinterest’s merchant guidelines.
• Your business must be listed in participating countries.
• Your business must comply with Pinterest’s Merchant Guidelines and Advertising Guidelines, as well as all applicable laws and regulations.
• Your business must have a Pinterest business account, which is linked to your website and has at least one claimed domain.
• Your business must have a product catalog, which is uploaded and managed through a compatible e-commerce platform or a Pinterest-approved feed provider. The product catalog must have accurate and up-to-date product information, including prices, availability, and shipping information.
• Your business must have a secure checkout process, which is hosted on your website or a Pinterest-approved e-commerce platform.

What to do if your application is not accepted?

First of all, why did you get rejected? There are several reasons why an application for the Pinterest Verified Merchant program might be rejected. These reasons include:

Not meeting Pinterest’s merchant guidelines

Pinterest has specific guidelines that businesses must follow to be accepted into the Verified Merchant program. If your website or product pages do not meet these guidelines, your application may be rejected. Some common issues include violating advertising policies, using misleading or inaccurate product information, or providing a poor user experience.

Low-quality product images

Pinterest is a visual platform, so having high-quality product images is crucial for success. If your product images are blurry, low-resolution, or unprofessional, this can negatively impact your application.

Incomplete or unclear product descriptions

Pinterest also evaluates the quality and accuracy of your product descriptions. If your descriptions are incomplete, unclear, or inaccurate, this can signal to Pinterest that your business may not provide a high-quality shopping experience.

Limited product selection

Pinterest is looking for merchants who have a wide range of products that are relevant to their audience. If your business only offers a few products, or if your products are not relevant to Pinterest’s user base, your application may be rejected.

Poor website user experience

Pinterest evaluates the overall user experience of your website and product pages when reviewing applications. If your website is difficult to navigate, has slow loading times, or provides a poor user experience in other ways, this can negatively impact your application.

It’s important to remember that getting accepted as a Verified Merchant on Pinterest is a competitive process, and not all applications are accepted. 

However, by carefully reviewing Pinterest’s guidelines and addressing any issues with your website and product pages, you can increase your chances of being accepted into the program.

If your application for the Pinterest Verified Merchant program is not accepted, there are several steps you can take:

Review the guidelines

Make sure you have read and followed all of Pinterest’s guidelines for the program, including its advertising policies, branding guidelines, and merchant terms of service.

Check your website and product pages

Pinterest looks at the overall quality and user experience of your website and product pages when evaluating your application. Review your website and product pages to make sure they meet Pinterest’s standards for content and user experience.

Make improvements

Based on your review, make any necessary improvements to your website and product pages to ensure they meet Pinterest’s standards. This might include improving the quality of your product images, adding detailed product descriptions, or improving the overall user experience.

Reapply

Once you have made improvements to your website and product pages, you can reapply for the Verified Merchant program. Be sure to highlight any changes or improvements you have made to your website and product pages in your application.

Consider other options

If your application is still not accepted, consider other ways to promote your products on Pinterest, such as using standard pins or promoted pins. You can also continue to improve your website and product pages to meet Pinterest’s standards and reapply for the Verified Merchant program at a later time.

With persistence and a commitment to improving your website and product pages, you can increase your chances of being accepted and reaping the benefits of the program.

Other options for promoting your business on Pinterest

If your application for the Pinterest Verified Merchant program is rejected or if you are looking for other options for promoting your business on Pinterest, there are several alternative strategies that you can consider:

1. Create a business account: If you haven’t already, create a business account on Pinterest. This will allow you to access a range of features that are specifically designed for businesses, including analytics and advertising tools.
2. Create engaging content: Pinterest is a highly visual platform, so it’s important to create engaging content that will resonate with your target audience. Consider creating eye-catching graphics, infographics, and other types of visual content that can help to promote your business and drive engagement.
3. Join Tailwind Communities: Tailwind communities are a great way to connect with other Pinterest users and promote your content to a wider audience. Look for relevant communities in your niche and start participating by sharing your own content and engaging with other users.
4. Run Pinterest ads: Pinterest offers a range of advertising options that can help to promote your business and drive traffic to your website. You can create promoted pins, promoted videos, and other types of ads that are designed to reach your target audience and drive conversions.
5. Use Rich Pins: Rich Pins allow you to include additional information about your products, such as pricing, availability, and more. By using Rich Pins, you can provide users with more detailed information about your products and increase the chances of driving conversions.

By utilizing these strategies, you can promote your business on Pinterest and reach a wider audience, even if you are not able to participate in the Pinterest Verified Merchant program.

Tips and Best Practices to Increase Your Chances of Getting Accepted

Getting accepted into the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program is not guaranteed, but there are several things you can do to increase your chances of success:

Provide high-quality product information

Your product information should be accurate, detailed, and visually appealing. Use high-resolution images and clear descriptions that showcase the features and benefits of your products.

Optimize your website and product pages

Your website and product pages should be user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and fast-loading. Use descriptive and keyword-rich titles, meta descriptions, and URLs that match your product information and business category.

Follow Pinterest’s guidelines and policies

Make sure you comply with Pinterest’s guidelines and policies, including its Advertising Policies and Merchant Guidelines. Avoid any deceptive or misleading practices, such as false claims, unsupported guarantees, or hidden fees.

Increase your sales and reviews

Pinterest considers the sales and reviews of your products as a factor in its verification process. Therefore, it’s important to encourage your customers to buy and review your products on Pinterest, as well as other platforms such as your website and social media.

Apply for other Pinterest programs

Pinterest offers other programs, such as the Verified Merchant Program on Shopify, which can help you increase your visibility and credibility on the platform. By participating in these programs, you can show Pinterest that you are committed to providing

Final Thoughts

The Pinterest Verified Merchant program offers a range of benefits to businesses that are looking to promote their products and services on the platform. 

By becoming a Verified Merchant, businesses can gain access to a range of tools and features that can help them increase their visibility and drive conversions.

However, getting accepted into the program can be a challenging process, and there are several reasons why applications may be rejected. 

Check out our guide for using Pinterest Catalogs effectively. Learn top tips and avoid common errors to boost your product listings and attract more viewers.

If your application is not accepted, it’s important to review Pinterest’s guidelines and evaluate your website and product pages to ensure that they meet the platform’s standards.

If your application is rejected, or if you are looking for other options for promoting your business on Pinterest, there are several alternative strategies that you can consider, including creating engaging content, joining Tailwind Communities, running Pinterest ads, and using Rich Pins.

Ultimately, the key to success on Pinterest is to create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. 

By taking the time to develop a solid content strategy and promote your business effectively on the platform, you can increase your visibility, drive traffic to your website, and grow your business.

Ready to achieve your Pinterest marketing goals quickly and efficiently? We can help you save time and maximize your results. Contact us today to learn how we can elevate your brand on Pinterest.

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