If you are one of the many people who have been noticing a dip in Pinterest impressions, outbound clicks, and blog traffic lately this article is going to help with some insights. There’s nothing that causes more panic for bloggers than Pinterest traffic drops. While some drop-off is normal during seasonal changes, what many content creators are seeing goes far beyond that.
If your Pinterest account sees fewer monthly views, even when you’re posting new content consistently, there’s a high chance the issue is deeper than timing. Let’s look at the possible reasons behind a sudden Pinterest traffic drop—and what you can do about it.
Where This Information Comes From.
These conclusions are based on my direct work as a Pinterest strategist and manager. By reviewing flagged pins across multiple food blogging accounts, observing shifts in Pinterest analytics, and running side-by-side tests using tools like PinClicks and Pin Inspector, I’ve identified patterns in how pins are being suppressed or deprioritized.
I’ve tested pin overlays, monitored changes in impressions and outbound clicks, and tracked which keywords consistently trigger reduced reach. While Pinterest doesn’t provide a manual for its moderation system, analyzing what’s happening across multiple accounts has revealed clear signals—many of which are easy to miss unless you’re looking for them.
This article about Pinterest traffic drops is meant to help content creators think critically about their pinning strategy, especially as Pinterest evolves. It’s not about fear—it’s about staying one step ahead by understanding the system.
1. Pinterest’s Algorithm Is Cracking Down (Quietly)
Pinterest’s algorithm has been evolving rapidly. In recent months, there’s been a significant shift in how pins are evaluated behind the scenes.
While Pinterest’s best practices still recommend creating fresh pins and new content regularly, there’s a less visible system now flagging pins for what it considers vague, emotional, or potentially sensitive language.
This means your pin title or description could trigger a spam filter—even if they look perfectly normal to a human reader. Some of these pins may be marked as “Go Linkless,” which means Pinterest has removed the active link from the pin in certain placements. However, it’s usually the sensitive text filter—not Go Linkless—that causes full suppression or a noticeable traffic drop. A pin might still show the link but be restricted in how often it appears in feeds or searches.
2. Certain Keywords Are Getting Pins Flagged.
Pinterest users often search for emotional or enticing phrases like “crave-worthy,” “guilt-free,” or “foolproof recipe,” but overuse of these can backfire. The Pinterest algorithm may now interpret these as part of spammy or misleading content, leading to less distribution or outright suppression.
If you’re using keyword research tools to find trending phrases for your pin title or descriptions, it’s essential to layer that research with a moderation-aware strategy. Just because specific keywords rank and show substantial search volume doesn’t mean they’re safe to use.
In fact, if those phrases are flagged internally, they may no longer appear in the search for most Pinterest users. That means they’re not just risky—they could be a complete dead end for visibility.
3. Text on Image Overlays Can Be a Hidden Trigger.
The first thing Pinterest’s AI sees isn’t your full blog post—it’s your pin image. If your pin designs include emotionally charged phrases or language previously overused by spam accounts (like “detox,” “skinny,” or even “childhood favorite”), they may be flagged internally accounting for some of those Pinterest traffic drops you’ve been experiencing.
This isn’t just about the description or title—it’s the visual content, too. If your fresh pins keep getting lower engagement, your overlay text could be a quiet culprit.
4. Pinterest Isn’t Telling You When Pins Are Suppressed.
One of the most frustrating parts of Pinterest marketing today is the lack of transparency. No alert in Pinterest analytics or stats says, “Hey, this pin was marked low trust.”
Instead, suppression shows up in your data — if you know where to look.
But here’s the catch: Pinterest Analytics is often slow to update. Looking at just the last 30 days may not tell you the whole story of those Pinterest traffic drops since fresh pins can take time to rank.
Here’s a more effective workaround:
- Create a private spreadsheet or document to track each new pin manually you publish.
- Note the publish date, URL, pin title, and overlay style.
- Use your Pinterest Analytics > Pins dashboard to review performance 7–10 days after posting, then again at the 30-day mark.
- Look for pins with very low impressions or zero outbound clicks by day 10.
- Open those pins in an incognito browser to check for a missing Visit button or low distribution signs.
- Compare those pins against similar ones that are performing well. If only specific phrasing or overlays underperform, there’s likely a flag involved.
Doing this kind of manual tracking—especially early—can reveal patterns in your Pinterest traffic drops that Analytics alone won’t show you in time to course-correct. Most suppressed pins fail to pick up traction in the first week and continue to stall.
You won’t see suppression warnings on the surface, but these manual checks combined with performance data give you the clearest view of whether moderation filters impact your pins.
How to View and Understand Flagged Pins.
I use Airtable bases to track pins across client accounts, flag patterns in overlay language, and record which posts or board titles repeatedly result in suppressed pins.
Whether you use Airtable, Google Sheets, or Notion, it is essential to have a repeatable process that makes it easy to spot red flags.
To dig deeper, you can use Tony Hill’s Flagged Pins Tool — one of the only ones that surfaces internal Pinterest moderation flags. It doesn’t just show performance; it reveals if Pinterest is actively limiting your pin’s reach.
Here’s what to look for:
- go_linkless = TRUE → Pinterest has removed the link from some placements
- sensitive_raw_pin_text → Language in your title, description, or overlay has been flagged
- seo_no_index_reason → Your pin has been excluded from showing in the search
- is_sensitive_board_title → The board you saved your pin to contains flagged language
You can access Tony Hill’s tool through links he shares in his email newsletter or strategist forums. It’s not always publicly available, so if the tool isn’t online, try contacting Tony directly or checking Pinterest strategist groups for updated access. If you notice repeated issues tied to the exact keywords, board titles, or overlay language, that’s a clear sign that your pinning strategy needs to shift.
5. How to Adjust Your Pinterest Strategy Without Starting Over.
Here’s the best way to move forward:
- Audit your older pins: Look for repetitive phrases, emotional hooks, or kid-related language that might be causing trouble.
- Create new pins with safer language: Rotate focus using seasonal pins, recipe features, or texture cues (like “soft & chewy” or “no-chill needed”).
- Rethink your pinning strategy: Don’t just remake the same title with different images. Vary the angle.
- Avoid vague CTA words: Skip “binge-worthy,” “guilt-free,” or “addictive” on overlays.
- Focus on top pins still performing: Study what’s working—those are your Pinterest-safe patterns.
- Monitor your Pinterest boards: Sometimes, a board title can be flagged. Keep them clear and relevant.
You can still use keywords and drive traffic from Pinterest, but now, it requires a more nuanced content strategy.
6. The Role of Fresh Content and Real Engagement.
“Pinterest prioritizes clarity, trust, and user intent over hype and volume.”
Pinterest’s preference for fresh pins is still active—but freshness now includes fresh wording, not just new pin designs. That may no longer be enough if you’ve been remaking pins with only slight visual changes and the same language.
Also, while Pinterest marketing used to be about pushing out a ton of content, now it’s about publishing quality pins that feel human, helpful, and aligned with Pinterest’s updated values. That means prioritizing clarity over hype—which means using specific, understandable language instead of vague emotional buzzwords—and real usefulness over formulaic phrases—meaning generic, recycled expressions that sound polished but don’t offer real context or value (like ‘the best ever,’ ‘you won’t believe this,’ or ‘life-changing dessert’), and authentic tone over vague buzzwords. Pinterest is increasingly rewarding content that looks and feels trustworthy—pins that match user intent, solve a problem, or genuinely inspire.
Instead of churning out dozens of nearly identical pin variations, the focus should now be on well-written pin descriptions, meaningful overlays, and designs that stand out visually without relying on emotional bait language—phrases crafted to provoke exaggerated urgency or desire without offering substance (e.g., ‘you’ll never stop eating these,’ or ‘so good it should be illegal’), which Pinterest’s moderation system may interpret as manipulative or spammy. This shift emphasizes connection, not just visibility.
While Pinterest isn’t a social network in the traditional sense, this move signals a subtle push toward prioritizing content that builds trust and feels relatable—just like platforms that reward meaningful interaction over pure reach. Instead of just trying to rank high or get repins, creators should consider how their content resonates with users. Pinterest wants pins that reflect an authentic voice—meaning language that sounds natural, personal, and genuine, like how you’d explain something to a friend, rather than overly polished marketing speak, speak to user intent—meaning your content aligns with what the person is looking for, answers a question they have, or helps them complete a task they’re trying to solve, and invite thoughtful engagement—even if that engagement happens off-platform (like a blog visit or saved recipe).
It’s not quite social, but it’s definitely more personal.
7. When to Reach Out to Pinterest Support.
If your Pinterest business account is seeing repeated suppression across multiple pieces of content—even when following Pinterest’s best practices—it may be time to reach out to Pinterest support. You don’t need to obsess over each pin, but it’s smart to review your overall account health at least once a month and monitor patterns.
If suppression appears across different boards, topics, or styles over time, that’s a stronger signal that something system-wide may be affecting your account.
Unfortunately, not every case will get resolved, but it helps to document:
- Which pins saw a sudden traffic drop
- What keywords and descriptions were used
- Whether your Pinterest analytics show a pattern tied to a specific type of language
Sharing this post with other bloggers can also bring visibility to the issue. Many Pinterest users are running into this quietly and blaming themselves when it’s really a moderation change.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not You—It’s the System.
Pinterest is still a powerful traffic driver for blog traffic, but content creators must be more strategic than ever. With new algorithm updates and moderation systems running silently in the background, now’s the time to rework your content strategy, pay attention to language, and rethink how you build fresh pins.
You don’t need to start over or delete pins, but you need to adapt.
Do you still have questions about Pinterest suppression, pin performance, or safe strategy tweaks? Feel free to post them in the comments, reach out through my contact form, or join my email list for deeper Pinterest insights. You’re not alone in this—let’s troubleshoot smarter together.