Let’s clear the air — because if you’re still reading old blog posts about whether you should be posting Idea Pins or static Pins, you’re working with outdated advice.
As of August 2023, Pinterest has rolled both of these into one single format called a Simplified Pin. That means there is no “Idea Pin vs. static Pin” debate anymore — every pin you create is technically a Simplified Pin.
So… What’s a Simplified Pin?
A Simplified Pin is Pinterest’s unified post format that combines the best features of old-school static Pins and the multi-page/video style of Idea Pins.
With this format, you can:
- Add multiple images or videos in one pin
- Layer text overlays or graphics
- Include outbound links (which were previously missing from Idea Pins)
- Use tools like stickers, tags, and more
It’s Pinterest saying, “We’re done making you choose between formats — here’s one that does it all.”
Why Pinterest Made the Change
Pinterest has been transparent about this move. In their words:
“We’re streamlining the content creation process to make it even easier and more rewarding… bringing the best of standard Pins and Idea Pins together in a single powerhouse Pin format.”
Here’s their reasoning:
- Simplicity for creators — no more format confusion, just “Create Pin.”
- Feature parity — you get access to all creative tools, regardless of media type.
- A cleaner feed experience — simplified pins are designed to display more consistently across mobile and desktop.
Where This Gets Confusing
If you use Tailwind or other schedulers, you may still see a checkbox or label to “mark as simplified pin.” This can be misleading — all new pins are already simplified pins by default. That checkbox is often just a leftover UI element from the transition period and doesn’t change the pin format. What you can control is how you design and structure the content inside that pin.
What This Means for Your Strategy
- Stop overthinking format choice — focus instead on pin design, keyword optimization, and media quality.
- Yes, you can still post what would have been an “Idea Pin” (multi-slide tutorial, video demo, etc.), but now it’s simply part of the simplified pin ecosystem.
- In niches like fashion, DIY, or education, multi-slide storytelling still works beautifully. In food blogging, these tend to get less use — but that’s a strategy decision, not a format limitation.
