If you’ve been in any food blogging circles lately, you’ve likely seen the debate: should you turn off the rich pins that Pinterest automatically applies to your content?
Some content creators argue that disabling them boosts click-through rates on their blog posts. Others warn it can tank impressions and reduce overall Pinterest performance.
Here’s what food bloggers need to know about Pinterest SEO in 2025: how rich pins work, what data powers them, what happens if you disable them, and whether it’s actually worth it.
What Are Rich Pins?
Recipe rich pins provide additional information directly on a pin — like serving size, list of ingredients, cooking time, and blog name.
For food bloggers, this means that your Pinterest pins are more valuable at first glance, offering Pinterest users a preview of what they can expect.
These different types of rich pins (article pins, recipe pins, product pins) are powered by structured data — typically generated by a recipe plugin such as WP Recipe Maker, Tasty Recipes, or Create by Mediavine.
Are Rich Pins Still Automatic?
Yes. Pinterest no longer requires an application for article-rich pins, recipe pins, or product pins.
If your blog post includes valid schema.org markup or metadata, Pinterest will automatically parse it.
There’s no WordPress dashboard switch to disable them. The only workaround is to block or strip the schema entirely — but that comes with consequences.
Quick Take: Why Enable Rich Pins
Even though Pinterest is increasing its reliance on AI tools and AI image parsing, it still prioritizes rich pin content backed by structured data. Enabling them remains the easiest way to ensure your regular pins are categorized correctly and displayed to your target audience.
What Data Powers Rich Pins?
Structured data from recipe plugins, such as Tasty Recipes, powers Pinterest’s rich pins validator tool. This data includes:
- Recipe title
- List of ingredients
- Serving size
- Cooking time
- Author or Pinterest profile name
If you’re using the Yoast SEO plugin, note that it doesn’t generate recipe schema itself. However, it does ensure that the correct meta tags are used. It helps synchronize information so that search engines and Pinterest understand your content type.
This metadata supports more than recipe pins — it can surface your content as article pins, video pins, or even product rich pins when your schema is complete.
What Do Rich Pins Include (and Not Include)?
Pinterest rich pins usually include:
- Recipe title
- Serving size
- Cooking time
- List of ingredients
- Author or blog name
They don’t include step-by-step instructions, extra information like diet preference, or your personal commentary. That means Pinterest users still need to click through to your blog post for the additional details and valuable information that creates the best user experience.
Pro Tip:
Boost engagement by pairing rich data with strong overlays, bold titles, and text overlays that highlight benefits. Schema does the backend work; your design drives clicks.
Why Are Some Bloggers Disabling Them?
Some food bloggers believe turning off rich pins increases click-through rates. The theory: if Pinterest doesn’t show additional information upfront, users will click through to the blog post for the rest.
But here’s what really happens when you remove structured data:
- You weaken how search engines and Pinterest categorize your blog post.
- You lose visibility in article pins, recipe pins, and other pin types.
- Your target audience may not even see your content in search results.
It might give a new pin a temporary bump. However, it’s not the best way to build sustainable traffic or a strong Pinterest marketing strategy.
So… Should You Them Turn Off?
For most food bloggers, the answer is no. Rich pins provide context that supports long-term reach and online presence.
Disabling them might give a short-lived spike, but it undermines your Pinterest SEO and long-term discoverability.
The best thing you can do? Optimize your metadata:
- Keep your recipe plugin updated and properly configured.
- Use the Yoast SEO plugin to ensure your meta tags Sync correctly.
- Add structured values, such as diet preference, prep time, and serving size.
- Focus on overlays and Pinterest pin design to drive clicks, while letting schema handle classification.
Rich Pin Myths, Busted
- “Disabling rich pins boosts traffic.” Maybe for a week, but it damages reach in the long run.
- “Pinterest doesn’t rely on rich pins anymore.” Wrong. Even with AI parsing, Pinterest’s rich pin validator still relies on metadata.
- “The big food bloggers are turning them off.” In reality, most are improving the schema, not abandoning it.
What to Do Instead Of Turning Off Rich Pins
1. Update your recipe plugin and structured data.
2. Sync with the Yoast SEO plugin for clean meta tags.
3. Add as much schema as possible (diet preference, prep time, author, blog name).
4. Optimize overlays, Pinterest posts, and Pinterest pin design for better clicks.
5. Treat rich pins as part of your Pinterest marketing strategy — not something to disable.
Final Thoughts About This Common Confusion
Turning off rich pins might look like a shortcut, but it hurts Pinterest SEO and weakens your online presence.
If your goal is to connect with the target audience that loves your content, the best way is to give Pinterest (and search engines) the structured data they need.
Need More Help?
Want help getting your Pinterest account seen without sacrificing structured data? I help food bloggers grow strategically with Pinterest SEO audits, Pinterest marketing strategies, and user experience–first design.
