There are currently lots of different platforms available for reaching people through ads; however, Pinterest still stands out as a unique and visually-driven option. This platform offers businesses an exceptional opportunity to showcase their products and services creatively.
While there’s no doubt that Pinterest is one of the best platforms for creating effective campaigns, it should be said that Pinterest ads have to be done correctly for them to be effective.
In this article, you’ll discover all you need to know about the intricacies of Pinterest ad specs. You’ll also learn the key insights you need to create compelling ad campaigns on Pinterest.
What Is Pinterest?
Most social media platforms aim at connecting users together, but Pinterest takes a different approach. This platform is often described as a visual discovery engine that links people to ideas, products, and inspiration worldwide.
At first glance, Pinterest may seem like it can’t give you the ad conversions you require, but that isn’t the case. This platform boasts over 430 million active users monthly. This translates into millions of potential conversions for you.
Pinterest’s uniqueness from traditional social media platforms also extends to its vast audience. It’s important to understand the nature of this diverse audience. This is because it will help in crafting Pinterest ads that are actually creative and effective enough to yield high conversion rates.
Understanding Pinterest’s Unique Audience
Pinterest users are planners, dreamers, and doers. They come to the platform because they are looking for inspiration for their next big project. This could be a home renovation, a wardrobe update, or even a dinner party menu. This forward-thinking mindset makes Pinterest users more receptive to advertising, as they are actively searching for ideas and products to bring their visions to life. Because of this, ads on Pinterest have to be crafted so that they go beyond being promotional to offer actual value.
It’s also worth mentioning that Pinterest users are more “purchase-minded” than those on other social media platforms. So, a well-crafted ad is all that’s standing between you and massive conversions.
Navigating Pinterest Ad Specifications: Crafting Your Campaign
Now that you’ve learned all about what the Pinterest audience is like, it’s time to take a closer look at crafting a successful Pinterest Ad campaign.
The first thing to note about creating successful ad campaigns on Pinterest is that there are different types of ad formats. Each of these ad formats is uniquely suited to different campaign goals. So the one you choose depends on what you’re trying to achieve. They include the following:
Standard Pins
These are the most straightforward yet most versatile Pinterest ads. They look like regular pins and seamlessly integrate into the feeds of Pinterest users. Standard pins are excellent for driving website traffic, and they work well for almost any type of content. This includes content like product promotions and blog posts.
The ideal image aspect ratio for a standard pin is 2:3. When you’re choosing an image for a standard pin ad, you should make sure it does not exceed the recommended aspect ratio, or it will get truncated.
You should also ensure you only use high-quality images on your standard pins. This will help ensure your photo is displayed correctly.
Video Pins
These are Pinterest promotional ads in the form of videos. Video pins are perfect for when you have a story to tell because they will perfectly bring it to life. It is essential to mention that there are different types of video pins.
Short-length video pins are perfect for creating brand awareness, and they only last for seconds. On the other hand, the longer ones are more suited to detailed storytelling or product demonstration. A long-form Pinteres video pin usually runs for up to fifteen minutes.
Pinterest ad specs here are variable. However, to get optimal results, you should settle for a square (1:1) or vertical (2:3, 9:16) format.
Carousel Ads
These are a type of Pinterest ads that allow users to showcase up to five images within a single ad. Every image on a carousel ad can be synced with a different link. Pinterest carousels are perfect for highlighting multiple products or variants in a single ad.
They can also contribute significantly to storytelling since users can employ sequential images to tell stories about a brand or product. A carousel Pinterest ad is also perfect for breaking down complex ideas like recipes into easy-to-follow steps.
Shopping Pins
Shopping pins help create a direct link between the Pinterest platform and your website’s product pages. This makes these pins particularly useful for e-commerce businesses. With a Pinterest shopping pin, you’ll be able to:
- Automatically update your ads based on your product catalog
- Easily display current prices and essential details directly on the pin
- Allow users to discover and purchase products with minimal friction
Try on Product Pins
One common problem shoppers usually face is not knowing if a particular item will be a fit for them. Luckily, Pinterest also offers product pins that employ augmented reality technology, which allows users to see in real-time what they look like with a particular item. This makes it perfect for businesses that are involved in selling beauty products like makeup powders and lipgloss.
Creative Best Practices for Pinterest Ad Campaigns
- Text overlay: In all of the different Pinterest ad types explored above, it’s important to keep overlay text to a minimum. This is to ensure you’re able to avoid overcrowding the image.
- Engaging visuals: You should also consider using bright and contrasting colors because they will make your ad stand out.
- Call-to-action (CTA): Pinterest ad campaigns should also include a clear CTA at the end. This will help guide interested users on what to do next. The CTA can be “learn more,” “shop now,” or “sign up.”
Conclusion
Creating compelling and creative Pinterest ad campaigns is relatively straightforward since you’re selling to an already ready-to-buy audience. However, since it’s primarily a visual platform, it’s crucial to ensure you only use high-resolution and eye-catching images. It’s also important to ensure that your ads align with your brand’s aesthetic and message. This will help ensure you can offer potential conversions clarity and consistency.
