Pinterest does not pay you directly for pins, but it does pay creators through two programs if you meet their requirements

Pinterest is not a platform that pays you for views, likes, or followers the way YouTube or TikTok do. Instead, Pinterest offers two ways to earn: Idea Pins (their short-form video format) through the Creators Fund, and affiliate commissions when someone clicks your pin and buys something. The first requires you to apply and meet a threshold of followers and views. The second requires you to join an affiliate program and link to products you actually recommend.

Most people who make money on Pinterest do it through affiliate links, not through Pinterest's own payment programs. That means you earn when a retailer or brand pays a commission for a sale you sent them — not when Pinterest pays you for content. Understanding which route fits your situation matters because the setup, time investment, and earning potential are very different.

Key Takeaways

  • Pinterest's Creators Fund pays for Idea Pins (short videos), but you need at least 5,000 monthly viewers and 50,000 total lifetime views to be considered.
  • Most Pinterest earnings come from affiliate links in pin descriptions, where you earn a commission when someone buys through your link.
  • You must join an affiliate program (Amazon Associates, a brand's own program, or a network like ShareASale) separately — Pinterest does not handle affiliate payments.
  • Payouts from the Creators Fund go to your bank account via direct deposit, but the amount varies widely and is not may provide.
  • Building an audience on Pinterest takes months, and earnings are typically lower than on video platforms unless you drive high-intent traffic to products.

How the Pinterest Creators Fund works

The Creators Fund is Pinterest's direct payment program, but it is limited to Idea Pins — the platform's short-form video format. To be considered, you need at least 5,000 monthly viewers and 50,000 total lifetime views on your Idea Pins. You also need a Creator Account (not a business account) and must be at least 18 years old.

Once you meet those thresholds, you can request to join the program through your Creator Account settings. Pinterest reviews your request and decides whether to invite you. There is no may provide of acceptance, and the criteria beyond the stated minimums are not fully public. If you are accepted, you earn a share of ad revenue that Pinterest generates from ads shown alongside your Idea Pins.

The payout amount is not fixed. It depends on how many views your pins get, where your viewers are located, and how much advertisers are willing to pay for ad space on that content. A pin with 10,000 views might earn $5 to $50 depending on these factors. Payments go to your bank account via direct deposit, usually monthly.

Affiliate commissions: the more common way to earn

Most people who make money on Pinterest do it through affiliate marketing, not through the Creators Fund. This means you link to products in your pin descriptions, and when someone clicks your link and buys, the retailer or brand pays you a commission — typically 2% to 10% of the sale, though some programs pay flat fees.

To do this, you need to join an affiliate program separately. The most common options are Amazon Associates (which pays 1% to 10% depending on product category), individual brand affiliate programs (like Wayfair, Target, or Etsy), or affiliate networks like ShareASale or Impact that connect you to hundreds of brands at once. Each program has its own approval process and terms.

The advantage of affiliate links is that you can start earning as soon as you are approved by a program — you do not need to hit a follower threshold. The disadvantage is that earnings depend entirely on clicks and sales, not on views or engagement. A pin with 100,000 views might earn nothing if the people viewing it are not interested in buying what you linked to.

What you need to do to get your free guide

If you want to pursue the Creators Fund, convert your account to a Creator Account by going to your profile settings and selecting "Switch to Creator Account." Then focus on building Idea Pins that get views. You will need to reach 5,000 monthly viewers and 50,000 lifetime views before you can request to join the program.

If you want to earn through affiliate links, start by joining an affiliate program. Amazon Associates is the easiest entry point — you can sign up at amazon.com/associates, though approval can take a few days to a few weeks. Once approved, you get a unique link for any product on Amazon. You can shorten it using a link shortener like Bitly, then paste it into your pin description.

For brand-specific programs, visit the brand's website and look for "Affiliate Program" or "Partner Program" in the footer. Many brands use networks like Impact or Refersion to manage their affiliates, so you may be directed there. Fill out the application, and the brand will decide whether to approve you based on your audience and niche.

How much you can realistically earn

Earnings on Pinterest vary widely depending on your niche, audience size, and traffic quality. Creators in the Creators Fund report earnings ranging from $0 to a few hundred dollars per month, with most earning under $100 monthly unless they have tens of thousands of monthly viewers. The platform does not disclose average payouts.

Affiliate earnings depend on how many people click your links and actually buy. If you have 10,000 monthly viewers but only 50 click your affiliate link and 5 of those people buy a $50 item at 5% commission, you earn $12.50 that month. Scale matters — creators with 100,000+ monthly viewers and highly engaged audiences can earn $500 to $2,000+ monthly through affiliate links, but this takes time to build.

The earning potential is lower on Pinterest than on YouTube or TikTok because Pinterest does not pay for views alone. You are competing for attention in a discovery feed, not building a subscriber base that returns repeatedly. However, Pinterest traffic is often high-intent — people are actively looking for ideas and products — which makes affiliate links perform better than on some other platforms.

Taxes and payment details

If you earn money through the Creators Fund, Pinterest will send you a 1099-NEC form at the end of the year if you earned $600 or more. You are responsible for reporting this income to the IRS. Payments are made via direct deposit to the bank account you set up in your Creator Account settings.

Affiliate programs handle taxes differently. Amazon Associates and most affiliate networks will send you a 1099-MISC if you earned $600 or more. Some smaller brand programs may not issue a form, but you are still required to report the income. Keep records of your earnings from each program so you can report them accurately.

You may owe self-employment tax on these earnings, depending on your total income and location. If this is your only income source and you earn under a certain threshold, you may not owe federal income tax, but you should consult a tax professional to be sure.

Why most creators do not earn much on Pinterest

Pinterest has a smaller creator-focused audience than YouTube or TikTok, and the platform prioritizes discovery over following. This means even creators with large follower counts may not see consistent views on every pin. The algorithm favors pins that are saved and clicked, not just liked, which means your content needs to be genuinely useful or inspiring to perform well.

The Creators Fund has strict requirements and limited spots. Most creators never reach the 5,000 monthly viewer threshold, so they never become may be able to access. Even those who do often earn modest amounts because ad rates on Pinterest are lower than on video platforms.

Affiliate earnings require traffic that converts to sales. If your audience is not interested in buying the products you link to, or if you link to products you do not genuinely recommend, your earnings will be minimal. Building trust with your audience takes time, and it is the only way to make affiliate links work consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a certain number of followers to earn money on Pinterest?

For the Creators Fund, you need 5,000 monthly viewers and 50,000 lifetime views, not a specific follower count. For affiliate links, there is no minimum — you can start earning as soon as you are approved by an affiliate program, even with zero followers. However, you will need some traffic to your pins for either to generate meaningful income.

Can I use affiliate links from multiple programs in the same pin?

Yes, you can include multiple affiliate links in a single pin description. However, be transparent about it. Pinterest's terms require you to disclose that you earn a commission from links. Many creators include a note like "This post contains affiliate links" at the beginning of the description so viewers know upfront.

How long does it take to start earning on Pinterest?

For affiliate links, you can start earning within days of being approved by an affiliate program, though actual sales may take weeks or months to come in. For the Creators Fund, it typically takes several months of consistent pinning to reach the 5,000 monthly viewer threshold, and then additional time for Pinterest to review and approve your request.

What happens if I link to a product and it goes out of stock?

If an Amazon product goes out of stock, your link still works, but people cannot buy it. For brand-specific affiliate programs, the link behavior depends on the retailer — some redirect to the category page, others show an out-of-stock message. It is a good idea to periodically check your pins and update links to products that are no longer available.

Can I earn money from regular pins or only Idea Pins?

The Creators Fund only pays for Idea Pins. However, you can include affiliate links in the description of any pin — regular pins, Idea Pins, or pins you save from other creators. Regular pins can drive affiliate sales just as well as Idea Pins; they just do not earn money through the Creators Fund itself.