Special Report: Pinterest Removes Pins
Why the drama? Well funny you should ask. After a deep dive into Reddit, specifically the Pinterest forums, it was clear that Pinterest removing pins is a popular discussion. There were many discussions and questions related to this seemingly random practice by Pinterest (and a few rants and tantrums). Let’s explore some common reasons Pinterest might decide to remove pins.
Pinterest Guidelines (TOS)
One of the most overlooked reasons for pin removal is that Pinterest updates their terms of service (TOS) and guidelines regularly and the new changes in some way affect the pin. As a content creator you will need to keep up with these changes especially if you intent to use Pinterest to drive traffic to your website.
(If you do happen to receive a Pinterest violation letter and/or suspension letter then you do have the option to appeal. I will circle back around to this in more detail later.)
Pinterest, in my experience, has been pretty good about alerting everyone before changes actually take effect so there is usually time to adjust your articles and plans/strategies for pinning. The catch? You must take action and make any necessary changes before the deadline.
For the most part if you follow their guidelines you should be in good shape and in good standing with Pinterest.
Changes in Pinterest’s Algorithm
Pinterest is constantly updating their platform and their internal algorithm is no different. When changes are made pins are seemingly removed at random but really its because the pin red flagged the material under the new rules.
Guideline Violations
Pinterest will remove pins that they feel violate their policies. Feelings are not always used in the equation as they employ people and technology to judge pins. Pinterest has its own internal algorithm (which is notoriously sensitive) that can and will flag pins.
Hateful Content
Pins that violate Pinterest’s guidelines, such as promoting hate speech, violence, or illegal activities, will be taken down.
Spam and/or Misleading Content
Pins that are identified as spam, scams, or contain misleading information will be removed.
Inappropriate Content
Pinterest tries to provide a family-friendly environment, so any content that is considered explicit, adult-oriented (Indecent images or videos such as pornography), or violates their content policies will be removed.
Copyright Infringement
If a pin is reported for copyright infringement, Pinterest may remove it to comply with copyright laws and protect intellectual property rights.
Low-Quality or Broken Links
Pins that lead to low-quality or broken websites may be removed to ensure users have a positive experience.
Duplicate Content
Repetitive or identical pins may be removed to prevent clutter and provide users with diverse content.
Safety Concerns
If a pin is reported as harmful or poses a risk to users’ safety, Pinterest may take it down.
Example Of Violation Email
Pinterest Suspensions and How To Appeal
If you do receive a suspension email don’t panic. You can go directly to Pinterest and make an appeal.
,Go to Pinterest’s Help Center, Click Appeals, then select Appeal Account Suspension. Finally click Submit at the bottom of the page.
This will bring up a form and questions about your account. Follow the directions to the conclusion. If you have documents to submit there is a place within the form to upload said documents.
Pinterest Appeal Tips
- At all times be polite and courteous. The Pinterest algorithm and Pinterest employees make mistakes. Yelling, shouting and cursing will get you nothing on the highway to nowheresville.
- Depending on the problem, it may be simpler to change/edit the offending pin than argue with Pinterest.
Case Studies or Examples
Weird email about a community guideline violation?
“So this morning I got an email from Pinterest that a pin I’ve saved to one of my boards violates community guidelines. It gave me a one time link to the pin which was blurry and the option to appeal. I’m really confused because I’ve never saved anything inappropriate on my boards. Have y’all experienced this and did you appeal or is this not even a real email from Pinterest?”
Reddit
These are real emails from Pinterest. In this case Pinterest has sent an email to a user that inform him that a pin he saved has violated the community guidelines. He is not in trouble. Pinterest has already deleted the “offending” pin and has sent an email to anyone who has repined the pin to one of their boards to let them know.
Some people have reported that Pinterest does not tell them which pin, that you are left to figure it out on your own. I will need to some investigating of my own. It has been a long while since I have personally received one of these emails.
Tips to Avoid Pin Removal
First make sure to fill out your images, boards, descriptions and keywords. Don’t make anyone guess what your pin or boards are about.
Avoid clickbait. There are shiny objects everywhere. Read descriptions, look for spam, and check the out the link on the pin before you republish. It may sound like work but it will save you time and heartache.
Pinterest Analytics
Use Pinterest’s own internal analytic tool to monitor and track pin performance and engagement. Understanding how your pins are performing can help identify potential issues and areas for improvement.
Using the Analytic tools will help you to
- Measure Effectiveness Of Your Pins: Pinterest analytics provides valuable insight into how well your pins are performing. You can track metrics like impressions, saves, clicks, and close-ups to understand which pins are resonating with your audience and driving engagement.
- Identify Top-Performing Content: By analyzing Pinterest analytics, you can identify your top-performing pins and understand what makes them successful. This information can help you create more content that aligns with your audience’s interests and preferences.
- Discover Audience Preferences: Pinterest analytics offer demographic data and interests of your audience. This information allows you to understand your target audience better and tailor your content to meet their specific needs and preferences.
- Optimize Pin Strategy: Understanding your pin performance enables you to refine your pinning strategy. You can identify the best times to post, the most effective pin formats, and the optimal frequency of pinning to maximize engagement.
- Measure Traffic and Conversions: If your goal is to drive traffic to your website or e-commerce store, Pinterest analytics can track the number of clicks and conversions generated by your pins. This data helps you evaluate the effectiveness of Pinterest as a traffic source.
- Pin A/B Testing: Pinterest analytics allow you to perform A/B testing by comparing the performance of different pin variations. You can test different images, titles, and descriptions to see which combinations perform the best.
- Spotting Trends and Seasonality: By monitoring Pinterest analytics, you can spot emerging trends and seasonal spikes in engagement. This knowledge can help you create timely and relevant content that aligns with popular trends.
- Measure Campaign Performance: If you run Pinterest advertising campaigns, analytics provide insights into the success of your paid efforts. You can track key metrics such as ad reach, engagement, and click-through rates.
- Benchmarking Performance: Pinterest analytics allow you to compare your pin performance with industry benchmarks and competitors. This benchmarking helps you gauge how well your content is performing in comparison to others in your niche.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing Pinterest analytics ensures that your decisions are data-driven rather than based on assumptions. It empowers you to make informed choices to optimize your Pinterest strategy continually.
Monitoring Pinterest analytics is essential for any content creator or business using Pinterest as part of their marketing strategy. The data and insight gained from analytics enable you to refine your pinning strategy, create content that resonates with your audience, and drive better results on the platform. By staying informed about pin performance and engagement, you can continuously improve your Pinterest presence and achieve your marketing objectives.
How Do I Report Inappropriate Content Or Accounts On Pinterest?
Go to Pinterest’s “Report something on Pinterest” and fill out the form.
How To Delete Pins On Pinterest
Summary
Pinterest removes pins for various reasons, including policy violations, copyright issues, spam, or inappropriate content. The platform has community guidelines and policies that users are expected to follow.
It’s vital for users to familiarize themselves with Pinterest’s guidelines and terms of service to avoid violations that could lead to pin removal.
If your pins are removed and you believe it was a mistake or misunderstanding, you can reach out to Pinterest’s support team for clarification or to appeal the decision.
Understanding and following the platform’s rules will help ensure that your pins remain visible and contribute positively to the Pinterest community.
Further Reading: By Trainor DianeScorpio at Wealthy Affiliate
Advice About YOUR Pinterest Accounts!
