How to Create Idea Pins That Go Viral

When Pinterest first introduced Idea Pins (previously known as Story Pins), many creators weren’t sure what to think. Unlike standard pins, Idea Pins don’t link out to your website or product. At first glance, that seemed like a disadvantage—after all, the main reason most businesses use Pinterest is to drive traffic.

But here’s the twist: Idea Pins quickly became one of the platform’s most powerful tools for visibility, reach, and growth. In fact, creators who master Idea Pins often see their content go viral, gaining thousands of impressions and followers in a short amount of time. And in 2025, Idea Pins are still one of the best ways to grow your presence on Pinterest.

So how do you create Idea Pins that actually take off? This guide will walk you through the strategies, design hacks, and storytelling techniques you can use to create Idea Pins that not only get noticed—but have the potential to go viral.

What Makes Idea Pins Different

Before we dive into the “how,” it’s important to understand what makes Idea Pins unique. Unlike standard pins that link directly to your website, Idea Pins are designed to keep users on Pinterest. They’re multi-page, immersive, and interactive. Think of them like mini blog posts or story-style content within the platform.

The purpose of Idea Pins isn’t direct traffic—it’s engagement and discoverability. When users interact with your Idea Pins, Pinterest learns that your content is valuable, and in turn, shows it to more people. That visibility leads to more followers, which eventually means more clicks to your standard pins and more authority for your brand overall.

Why Go Viral with Idea Pins?

Viral Idea Pins can:

• Skyrocket your impressions and visibility.

• Help you attract new followers who then see your regular pins.

• Establish you as a thought leader in your niche.

• Create brand awareness that indirectly drives traffic and sales.

Think of Idea Pins as your top-of-funnel growth tool. They grab attention, build trust, and keep your content circulating long after you’ve posted.

Step 1: Start with a Viral-Worthy Idea

The foundation of a viral Idea Pin is the idea itself. Not every topic has the potential to spread widely. Viral content typically falls into one of these categories:

1. Educational: Step-by-step guides, tutorials, how-tos.

2. Inspirational: Quotes, motivational tips, personal stories.

3. Aspirational: Lifestyle inspiration, transformations, before-and-afters.

4. Relatable: Content that makes people say, “That’s so me!”

Ask yourself: What kind of content would someone not only consume, but also save and share? If your idea checks those boxes, it has viral potential.

Step 2: Structure for Storytelling

Idea Pins work best when they’re structured like a story. Each slide should build on the last, keeping the viewer engaged. A common mistake is cramming too much information into one slide. Instead, spread your content out.

Here’s a proven structure for Idea Pins:

• Slide 1: Hook. Grab attention with a bold headline or intriguing question.

• Slides 2–4: Value. Deliver tips, steps, or inspiration.

• Slides 5–7: Deepen. Provide context, examples, or proof.

• Final Slide: Call to action. Ask viewers to follow you or try what you shared.

Think of it like a mini presentation. Short, snappy, and easy to swipe through.

Step 3: Design for Impact

Visuals are everything on Pinterest. If your Idea Pin doesn’t stop the scroll, it won’t go viral. The good news? You don’t need to be a designer to make professional-looking content.

Design Hacks for Viral Idea Pins:

• Use vertical format (1080 x 1920 px).

• Choose bold, high-contrast colors.

• Add text overlays that are easy to read on mobile.

• Keep text short—5–7 words per slide is ideal.

• Include visuals of your face, products, or lifestyle shots to humanize your content.

• Stay consistent with your branding (colors, fonts, logos).

💡 Pro Tip: Use Canva templates for Idea Pins and customize them with your brand style.

Step 4: Nail the Hook

The first slide is everything. Just like a YouTube thumbnail or blog headline, your opening slide determines whether people click through.

Strong hooks often use:

• Numbers: “5 Hacks for Better Mornings.”

• Questions: “Struggling to Grow on Pinterest?”

• Curiosity: “You’re Making This Pinterest Mistake…”

Make sure the benefit of your content is instantly clear. If your first slide is vague, viewers will swipe away.

Step 5: Add Value—Fast

Pinterest users are busy. They’re swiping for quick inspiration or solutions. To go viral, your Idea Pin needs to deliver value quickly and clearly.

• Break tips into simple steps.

• Use visuals to demonstrate, not just text.

• Focus on transformation: what will change for the viewer after they apply your advice?

If your Idea Pin makes someone’s life easier, inspires them, or entertains them in a memorable way, they’re more likely to save it and share it.

Step 6: Use Keywords Everywhere

Just like standard pins, Idea Pins are discoverable through search. This means keywords still matter.

Optimize your Idea Pins by:

• Adding keywords in the title.

• Writing a keyword-rich description.

• Using hashtags relevant to your niche.

• Including text on slides that naturally incorporates keywords.

Remember: Pinterest is a search engine. Even viral content needs to be findable.

Step 7: Add Interactive Elements

Pinterest allows features like stickers, tags, and interactive elements in Idea Pins. These boost engagement, which in turn boosts visibility.

Ways to increase interaction:

• Use “Try it” tags to encourage users to recreate your idea.

• Add stickers for fun or emphasis.

• Ask viewers a question in your slides.

The more people interact, the more Pinterest sees your pin as valuable.

Step 8: Repurpose Content

One of the easiest hacks for creating viral Idea Pins is repurposing content from other platforms. If you already make TikToks, Reels, or YouTube Shorts, you can adapt that content into Idea Pins.

Just remember to:

• Remove watermarks from TikTok/IG videos.

• Reformat the content for Pinterest’s dimensions.

• Add keyword-rich descriptions.

This saves time and allows you to get more mileage out of content you’ve already created.

Step 9: Consistency is Key

One viral Idea Pin can bring you thousands of impressions, but consistency is what builds long-term growth. Pinterest rewards active creators who post regularly.

Aim to post Idea Pins a few times per week. Over time, the algorithm learns that your account provides value, and you’ll see increased reach.

Think of it this way: each Idea Pin is a chance to go viral. The more you create, the more opportunities you have to strike gold.

Step 10: End with a Clear Call to Action

Even though Idea Pins don’t link out, you can still guide your audience. Viral Idea Pins often end with a strong call to action, like:

• “Follow me for more tips.”

• “Save this pin for later.”

• “Try this and tag me when you do.”

This turns casual viewers into followers, growing your reach and creating a ripple effect for your future content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If your Idea Pins aren’t getting traction, you might be making one of these mistakes:

• Too much text. Overloading slides makes people swipe away.

• No hook. If your first slide isn’t compelling, viewers won’t stick around.

• Lack of branding. Pins that don’t match your style are forgettable.

• No call to action. Without a next step, you miss the chance to build followers.

• Inconsistency. Posting once in a while won’t build momentum.

Avoid these mistakes, and your Idea Pins have a much better chance of taking off.

Why Some Idea Pins Go Viral

At the end of the day, virality is a mix of strategy and psychology. Pinterest promotes Idea Pins that:

• Capture attention (great hook).

• Provide clear value.

• Encourage interaction.

• Keep people engaged until the last slide.

When a pin meets these criteria, Pinterest pushes it to more users. If those users engage, the cycle continues, and your pin can spread far beyond your followers.

Final Thoughts

Creating viral Idea Pins isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. When you focus on strong ideas, clear storytelling, engaging visuals, and consistency, you set yourself up for success.

To recap, here are the 10 steps for creating viral Idea Pins:

1. Start with a viral-worthy idea.

2. Structure your pin like a story.

3. Design for visual impact.

4. Hook viewers on the first slide.

5. Deliver value quickly.

6. Use keywords everywhere.

7. Add interactive elements.

8. Repurpose existing content.

9. Stay consistent with posting.

10. End with a strong call to action.

The best part? Idea Pins don’t just bring short-term engagement—they build long-term visibility. With every pin, you increase your chances of reaching new audiences and growing your brand.

So the next time you sit down to create Pinterest content, don’t just design another static pin. Challenge yourself to create an Idea Pin that tells a story, sparks curiosity, and delivers real value. Who knows? Your next Idea Pin might just be the one that goes viral.