What if the ‘Golden Rule’ of Pinning no longer stood firm?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours researching the best ways to drive traffic to your blog through Pinterest. As a new blogger, Pinterest seemed like the golden ticket—a platform that could potentially bring in thousands of visitors to my site with just the right pin. But as I’ve delved deeper into the world of pinning, I’ve started to question some of the “golden rules” that are often touted as gospel. One of the biggest questions on my mind lately is: Should we be creating different size and shaped Pinterest pins for maximum exposure and traffic?
The 1000 x 1500 Vertical Pin: Still the King of Pinterest?
When I first started my blog I scoured the internet for tips and tricks on how to make the most of my pins. Every blogger I watched on YouTube, every article I read, they all seemed to say the same thing: The 1000 x 1500 vertical pin is King.
This specific size and shape, they said, was the magic formula for driving traffic from Pinterest to your blog. It was tall enough to stand out in the feed, eye-catching, and optimized for mobile viewing.
I followed this advice religiously. I created pin after pin in this size, adding text overlays, beautiful images, and bold calls to action. But after a few months, I started to notice something curious in my Pinterest Analytics.
While my vertical pins were performing decently, they weren’t the runaway successes I had been led to believe they’d be. In fact, some of my best-performing pins were completely different sizes and shapes!
The Unexpected Success of Square Pins
One day after I had just posted a new blog article and created a square thumbnail-style pin to go along with it I decided to post it to Pinterest too. I figured, what’s the harm? If no one sees them, no big deal, right? To my surprise, these square pins started to gain traction. Some were even getting more saves, clicks, and engagement than many of my carefully crafted vertical pins.
So, what’s going on here? Is the 1000 x 1500 vertical pin really the be-all and end-all? Or is there something to be said for mixing things up with different pin shapes and sizes?
Exploring Different Pin Sizes and Shapes
The world of Pinterest pins is vast, and while the vertical pin might be the most common advice, it certainly isn’t the only option. Let’s break down the pros and cons of different pin sizes and shapes to see how they might fit into your Pinterest strategy.
1. Square Pins (1000 x 1000)
Square pins, like the ones I started experimenting with, can be a refreshing change from the typical vertical pin.
Pros:
• Stand Out: Because most pins on Pinterest are vertical, a square pin can stand out in the feed simply because it looks different.
• Versatility: Square images are often easier to create, especially if you’re using them across multiple platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
• Simplicity: Sometimes less is more, and the square format can lend itself to a cleaner, more focused design.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: You will be able to use the square shaped pin easily on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, cutting down on less time spent having to create multiple different designs for the same blog post or video.
Cons:
• Less Space: You have less vertical real estate to work with, which means you might need to be more selective with your text and images.
• Might Be Overlooked: Some users might scroll past a square pin if they’re conditioned to look for vertical ones.
My most successful square pin below:
2. Oversized Pins (1000 x 2100 or Taller)
Oversized pins are another option that can be eye-catching because of their sheer size.
Pros:
• Attention-Grabbing: A longer pin can dominate the feed, making it hard to ignore.
• More Content: You have more room to include detailed information, multiple images, or an in-depth step-by-step guide.
Cons:
• Might Be Too Long: If a pin is too long, users might not want to scroll through the whole thing. Plus, Pinterest could crop the image, making it less effective.
• Can Be Overwhelming: Too much content can be a turn-off, especially if it’s not well-organized or visually appealing.
I use oversized pins when I want to fit a lot of information on for the reader:
3. Horizontal Pins (1000 x 560 or 1200 x 628)
Horizontal pins are probably the least common type you’ll see on Pinterest, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a place.
Pros:
• Great for Certain Niches: If your content is more suited to a wide format, like landscape photography or horizontal infographics, a horizontal pin might be perfect.
• Uncommon: Because they’re rare, horizontal pins can catch the eye simply because they’re different.
Cons:
• Not Optimized for Mobile: Most users browse Pinterest on their phones, and horizontal pins don’t take up much space on a mobile screen.
• Easier to Overlook: They can get lost in the sea of vertical pins, especially on mobile devices.
Logo’s can look great in this format though:
4. Standard Vertical Pins (1000 x 1500)
Finally, we have the tried-and-true standard vertical pin.
Pros:
• Proven Success: There’s a reason everyone talks about this size—it’s optimized for mobile, stands out in the feed, and provides enough space for a compelling design.
• Widely Used: Because it’s the most common size, there are tons of templates and resources available to help you create beautiful vertical pins.
Cons:
• Might Blend In: Because so many people use this size, your pins might not stand out as much as you’d like.
• Limits Creativity: Sticking to one size can feel limiting, especially if you’re craving something new and different.
My Most Successful Standard Pin:
The Takeaway
Moving forward I won’t be putting all my eggs in one basket any longer, and neither should you. While the standard vertical pin is a reliable choice, there’s something to be said for mixing things up. Not only can experimenting with different pin shapes keep things fresh and challenge your creativity, but it might also help you reach a broader audience.
Pinterest, like any platform, is constantly evolving. What worked last year might not work today, and what works for one blogger might not work for another. The key is to stay flexible and open to new ideas. By diversifying your pin sizes and shapes, you can test what works best for your audience and adapt your strategy accordingly.
No matter what size or shape of pin you create, one thing will always be true: to generate a click to your link or website, your pin needs to intrigue, inspire, or call people to action.
A beautiful pin is great, but if it doesn’t make someone want to click through to your content, it’s not doing its job. So, as you experiment with different pin shapes, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Your goal is to engage your audience and drive traffic to your blog, and the best way to do that is with compelling, high-quality content.
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I’d love to hear from you—have you experimented with different pin sizes and shapes? What has worked best for you? Let me know in the comments below!
