Pinterest vs Google: 6 Key Differences & Opportunities for Business

1. Intent vs Discovery

Google thrives on search intent. You come with a question, and Google provides an answer. Need to know the symptoms of the flu or looking for a specific smartphone review? Google's your go-to. You type in a query, and voila – a list of links, with the most relevant (and authoritative) at the top. 

On the other hand, Pinterest is where serendipity happens. Imagine a search engine where you don't necessarily need to know what you're looking for. Pinterest is all about visual discovery and inspiration, allowing users to be inspired by new ideas. It's a bit like wandering into a digital art gallery, seeking an artwork vibe but not a specific painting. What's more, 96% of top searches are unbranded, making it an inclusive platform for all accounts, big or small.

2. Slow Ranking vs Fast Traction

Google's algorithms are complex, giving importance to factors like Domain Authority (DA). New websites, with a DA starting at zero, often struggle to climb the ranking ladder. It's like trying to enter an exclusive club where everyone knows each other, and you're the new kid on the block.

Unlike Google, where most users don't venture past the first page, Pinterest users joyfully scroll through dozens of results. This open-minded approach gives new businesses a fair shot right from the start. No need to sweat over DA here! From day one, you can rank for keywords, allowing you to gain traction more quickly. 

3. Page One vs Scrollers

While Google's page one is the Holy Grail for search engine users, Pinterest users LOVE to scroll. This exploratory nature provides ample opportunity for fresh content to soar, irrespective of your site's age or authority. 

Google's page one is the Holy Grail, because most users rarely venture past this first page. But Pinterest? It's a totally different ball game. Given its exploratory nature, a staggering 75% of users scroll through the initial 60 results. It's like wandering in a vast digital mall, discovering new stores at every corner.

4. Shopping Ads vs Free Product Feed

If you're in the e-commerce game, take note! Google Shopping Ads provide quick visibility for your products, crucial for businesses with stock waiting to fly off the shelves. However, Pinterest offers another cost effective avenue to increase visibility. By linking your product feed to Pinterest, you gain free organic exposure. This means your products can appear in related searches and pins at no extra cost.

Placing your items where potential customers are already looking is a smart strategy. No additional fees, just more visibility. If you have the budget to go beyond organic distribution, I recommend trying out paid advertising campaigns with more specific market targeting. Paid ads on Pinterest are a very effective way to drive traffic to your website and acquire new customers. Read more about how and why in this article.

5. Google Trends vs Pinterest Trends

Both platforms offer insights into trending topics. However, the nature of trends is very different. Google trends lean towards current events and popular figures, often dominated by established sites like news outlets. Pinterest, meanwhile, revels in ever-changing visual trends.

For newcomers aiming to make their mark on Google, the challenge is real. Achieving high rankings for seasonal or emerging trends necessitates not only a website with robust domain authority but also exceptionally compelling content. Most new entrants start off by targeting less competitive search terms to build their SEO foundation.

Pinterest, on the other hand, offers a more level playing field. Even newcomers can tap into the platform's ever-shifting trends to drive traffic, especially if they're timely and strategic about it. One of the secrets to success is to start pinning seasonal content a few months ahead to catch the peak traffic. 

The type of things people search for on both platforms are extremely different. Take a look below at the top 5 UK trends at the time of writing this article. Notice how different the results are and how Easter and summer searches are picking up on Pinterest from very early on in the year?

6. Pinterest Boosts Google ranking

And here's the cherry on top of the cake: Pinterest traffic indirectly boosts your Google rankings. As users frequently navigate between Pinterest and your website, it signals to Google and other search engines that your content is both relevant and valuable, potentially boosting your visibility in search results. The more traffic you get from Pinterest, the more Google sees your site as trustworthy and relevant which in turn influences your SEO ranking! 

Pinterest vs Google - Summary

When it comes to deciding on Pinterest vs Google, it's all about understanding the unique opportunities each platform offers and how they fit into your business's overall strategy. What's more, diversity in your digital marketing approach is a great way to safeguard against algorithm shifts and widen your reach.

Are you optimising SEO for your business with Google and Pinterest? Curious about leveraging Pinterest for your brand? Let's have a chat!