Quick answer: Pinterest does not pay most creators directly: its Creator Rewards programme was discontinued, and paid partnership and affiliate product tags are available only in some markets. From Kenya, Pinterest works best as a free traffic source: people search it for ideas, click pins and land on your blog, online shop, YouTube video or digital product. You earn from what they buy or read there.
Ways to Earn With Pinterest
| Method | How it pays | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Blog traffic | Ads and affiliate links on your blog | start a blog, AdSense |
| Online shop | Product sales | free Buy More Mall shop |
| Affiliate links | Commission on sales, where allowed | Buy More Mall affiliate programme |
| Digital products | Templates, printables, guides | digital products |
| YouTube | Views and subscribers | YouTube |
| Paid partnerships | Brand deals, where available | brand deals |
Niches That Do Well on Pinterest
- Home decor and small-space ideas.
- Recipes and meal plans.
- Fashion, hair and beauty (for example braid styles).
- Weddings and events.
- DIY, crafts and printables.
- Travel ideas.
- Business templates and planners.
How to Set Up
- Create a free Pinterest business account.
- Claim your website so your pins show your name.
- Create 5–10 boards named with words people search (for example “Kenyan recipes”).
- Design tall pins (2:3, such as 1000 × 1500 px) in {shn("canva", "Canva")} with clear text.
- Write keyword-rich pin titles and descriptions.
- Pin consistently: a few fresh pins every day beats 50 once a month.
Affiliate Links on Pinterest
Pinterest allows affiliate links on pins, but read its rules: no misleading content, no link shorteners that hide the destination, and disclose affiliate links. Many creators send pins to a blog post first, which converts better.
Your First 30 Days
- Week 1: pick a niche, set up the business account and boards.
- Week 2: publish 3 blog posts or shop items to link to.
- Week 3: design and post 3–5 pins a day.
- Week 4: check Pinterest analytics; make more of the top pins.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting direct payment from Pinterest.
- Square images.
- Stolen photos.
- Hidden affiliate links.
Example: A Braids Style Board
A hair stylist pins photos of her own work (with clients’ permission) to boards like "Knotless braids styles" and "Kids braids ideas", each linking to her booking page and online shop for hair products. Pins keep bringing visitors for months, because people search Pinterest when planning a new style.
Use Your Own Images
Pin your own photos and designs, or images you have the right to use. Pins built from stolen photos can be removed and damage your account.
Measure What Works
Pinterest analytics show impressions, saves and outbound clicks for each pin. Saves tell you people like the idea; outbound clicks tell you they want more. Make new pins in the style of your top performers, and update boards with seasonal ideas a month early (for example December decor in November).
Stay safe: never pay a "registration", "activation" or "withdrawal" fee to get paid, and never share your password or M-Pesa PIN. Real online income comes from people paying for your content, products or skills.
Create your free Stay Home Network account, or log in with H-MAIL on app.stayhomenetwork.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make money on Pinterest in Kenya?
Yes, indirectly: by sending traffic to your blog, shop, YouTube or products.
Does Pinterest pay creators?
Creator Rewards was discontinued; paid partnerships and affiliate tags are limited to some markets.
Can I use affiliate links on Pinterest?
Yes, if you follow Pinterest’s rules and disclose them.
How long does Pinterest take to grow?
Usually a few months of consistent pinning.
What size should a pin be?
A tall 2:3 image, such as 1000 × 1500 pixels.
Do I need a website for Pinterest?
It helps a lot; an online shop or YouTube channel also works.
Cover photo: An interior design mood board with pinned images and notes. Photo: Mood board for a Tuscan Style Interior by DesignFolly.com, CC BY-SA 2.0.
