The fastest way to find someone on Pinterest is the search bar at the top of any page

Type their name or username into the search box and Pinterest shows you profile results first, before pins or boards. If you know their username (the handle they use to log in), search for that — it's more reliable than a full name, since many people use the same name on Pinterest. If the person has a common name like "Sarah Johnson", you may see dozens of results, so look for profile pictures or board names you recognize.

If you're already following them or they follow you, you can find them faster by going to your followers or following list. Open your profile, tap or click "Followers" or "Following", and scroll through. This works best if you remember roughly when you connected with them or if you're looking for someone you know you're already linked to.

Key Takeaways

  • The search bar at the top of Pinterest shows profile results first when you type a name or username.
  • Searching for someone's username is more reliable than their full name, especially if their name is common.
  • You can browse your own followers or following list directly from your profile if you think you're already connected.
  • If you find the right person but their profile is private, you can still send them a message request through Pinterest's messaging feature.
  • Google search with "site:pinterest.com" and the person's name can help if Pinterest's search isn't turning up results.

Searching by username versus full name

A username is the handle someone chose when they made their account — it appears in their profile URL and is what shows up next to their pins. A full name is what they may have added to their profile later, and it's not always unique. If you know someone's Pinterest username, search for that first. It will take you directly to their profile or show you a small number of exact matches.

If you only know their full name, search for that, but be prepared to scroll through results. Pinterest will show you profiles, boards, and pins all mixed together. Look at the profile pictures and board titles to spot the person you're looking for. If they have a distinctive board name (like "My Kitchen Renovation 2024") or a recognizable photo, that makes it easier to confirm you've found the right person.

Using Google to search Pinterest profiles

If Pinterest's search isn't finding the person you're looking for, try searching Google instead. Type the person's name followed by "site:pinterest.com" — for example, "Sarah Johnson site:pinterest.com". Google will show you any Pinterest profiles, boards, or pins that mention that name. This works because Google indexes Pinterest content more broadly than Pinterest's own search sometimes does.

This method is especially useful if the person has a private profile on Pinterest. You may still see their profile in Google results even if you can't access their pins directly. You can then click through to their Pinterest profile and send them a message request if you want to connect.

What to do if their profile is private

A private Pinterest profile means you can see the person's name and profile picture, but you cannot see their boards or pins unless they follow you back or accept a message request from you. If you find someone but their profile is locked, you have two options: send them a message request, or follow them and wait to see if they follow you back.

To send a message request, click or tap the message icon on their profile. Write a note explaining who you are or why you'd like to connect — something like "Hi Sarah, we met at the book club last month and I'd love to see your recipe boards." They'll see your message in their inbox and can choose to accept your request or ignore it. If they accept, you'll be able to see their profile and message them going forward.

Finding someone through shared boards or group pins

If you and the person you're looking for both follow the same board or have pinned to the same group board, you can find them through that connection. Open a board you think they might follow, and look at the "Followers" or "Collaborators" section. You'll see profile pictures of people who follow or contribute to that board. If you recognize them, click their profile to confirm.

Group boards are especially useful for this because they show everyone who has contributed. If you remember a specific topic the person pins about — say, gardening or home design — search for popular boards in that category and check who follows them. This is slower than a direct search, but it can work when you don't remember their exact name or username.

Checking your connections through other social media

If you're connected to someone on Facebook, Instagram, or another social platform, you can sometimes find their Pinterest account through those links. Many people link their Pinterest profile to their other social accounts. Go to their Facebook or Instagram profile and look for a link to Pinterest in their bio or about section. Click it, and you'll land on their Pinterest profile directly.

You can also ask them directly. If you're messaging someone on another platform and want to follow them on Pinterest, just ask for their username or a link to their profile. This is the most straightforward approach and avoids the guesswork of searching by name.

Why some searches don't return results

Pinterest's search sometimes misses profiles because the person's account is very new, they haven't pinned anything yet, or their profile is set to private with a generic name. New accounts take a few days to show up in search results. If someone just joined Pinterest, try searching again in a week.

Another reason is that the person may have changed their username. If you knew them by one username but they've since changed it, searching the old name won't work. If you're stuck, try the Google search method described above, or ask the person directly for their current username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find someone on Pinterest if I only know their email address?

No, Pinterest's search doesn't work by email. You would need their name, username, or a link to their profile. If you have their email, you could try messaging them directly and asking for their Pinterest username instead.

What does it mean if someone's profile says "This account is private"?

It means you can see their name and picture, but not their boards or pins. You can still send them a message request. If they accept, you'll be able to see their full profile and follow them.

If I follow someone, can they see that I followed them?

Yes, they'll see you in their followers list. If their profile is public, they can click your profile and see your pins and boards. If you want to connect privately first, send a message request instead of following.

Does Pinterest notify someone when I search for them?

No, searching for someone on Pinterest doesn't send them any notification. They won't know you looked for them unless you follow them, send them a message, or interact with their pins.

Can I find deleted Pinterest accounts?

No, once an account is deleted, the profile and all its pins are removed from Pinterest. If you're looking for someone and can't find them, they may have deleted their account or changed their username significantly.