Should You Delete Pins on Pinterest? Here’s My Take

If you’ve been active on the platform lately, you’ve probably stumbled upon the heated debate surrounding the practice of deleting pins on Pinterest. Some claim it’s a game-changing strategy, while others vehemently oppose it.

As a business owner or content creator, it’s crucial to understand the potential impact of this approach on your brand and audience engagement. 

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the “delete pins” debate, separating fact from fiction and helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals.

The “Delete Pins” Myth: Origin and Claims

Let’s rewind to 2015, when a peculiar idea started gaining traction in the Pinterest community. The rumor mill was churning out claims that deleting your older pins, especially those with little to no repins, could magically boost your follower count. 

It sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that didn’t stop the notion from going viral.

Before you knew it, Pinterest was flooded with users on a mission to delete as many pins as possible. Creators and bloggers jumped on the bandwagon, hoping to see a surge in their follower numbers. 

The idea spread like wildfire, fueled by promises of unprecedented growth and engagement.

But here’s the catch – did anyone actually verify these claims? Or was it simply a case of people blindly following a trend without questioning its validity? 

The origins of this “delete pins” strategy remain shrouded in mystery, with no concrete evidence to support its supposed benefits.

The Truth Behind Deleting Pins

As tempting as the “delete pins” strategy may sound, it’s important to understand its potential impact on your brand and business goals. 

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Impact on Brand Building and Community Engagement

Building a strong brand presence and fostering an engaged community on Pinterest is paramount for any business or creator. It’s all about consistently delivering value and creating a cohesive, visually appealing experience for your audience. 

But here’s the catch – deleting pins could undermine these efforts by removing valuable content and reducing your overall visibility.

Imagine spending countless hours meticulously curating your Pinterest boards, only to delete those pins later on. It’s like pouring your heart and soul into a masterpiece only to erase it from existence. 

Not only does this feel counterproductive, but it also risks alienating your loyal followers who may have already engaged with and enjoyed that content.

Instead, focus your energy on pinning useful, visually appealing content that resonates with your target audience. 

Create idea pins that showcase your expertise and inspire your followers. After all, a thriving Pinterest presence is built on consistently delivering value, not on deleting your hard work.

Effect on Website Traffic and Sales

For many businesses and creators, the ultimate goal on Pinterest is to drive traffic to their website and boost sales. But does deleting pins actually contribute to achieving this objective? 

The short answer is: there’s no concrete evidence to support this claim.

In fact, prematurely deleting pins could actually backfire and cause you to miss out on potential opportunities. 

Imagine you have a pin that initially received little engagement but then suddenly gained traction and started driving significant traffic to your site. By deleting it too soon, you’d be cutting off that valuable stream of potential customers and sales.

Furthermore, Pinterest’s algorithm is constantly evolving, and a pin that may have underperformed initially could gain newfound visibility and engagement as the algorithm changes. 

Deleting pins prematurely means you’ll never know their full potential impact on your website traffic and sales.

Instead of hastily deleting pins, focus your efforts on promoting your best-performing content and optimizing your pins for maximum visibility and engagement. This strategic approach is far more likely to yield tangible results in terms of driving traffic and boosting sales.

Pinterest’s Stance on Deleting Pins

While the “delete pins” strategy continues to circulate within the Pinterest community, it’s important to note that the platform itself has never officially endorsed or recommended this practice. 

In fact, Pinterest’s focus has always been on providing users with a rich, engaging experience by surfacing relevant and high-quality content.

Deleting pins, especially on a large scale, could potentially go against Pinterest’s community guidelines, which emphasize the importance of sharing valuable and inspiring content. 

After all, the platform is built on the premise of curating and discovering visually appealing pins that spark creativity and inspiration.

So, before you embark on a mission to purge your Pinterest boards, it’s worth considering whether this approach aligns with the platform’s core values and guidelines. 

The last thing you want is to inadvertently violate the rules and risk facing consequences that could impact your account’s performance or even its existence.

When Deleting Pins May Be Appropriate

Now, that’s not to say that deleting pins is never a viable option. In certain circumstances, it can be a justified and necessary step to maintain a cohesive and relevant Pinterest presence. 

Here are a few instances where deleting pins may be appropriate:

Time-Sensitive or Expired Content

If you’ve pinned content related to a time-sensitive event, sale, or promotion that has already expired, it’s perfectly reasonable to remove those pins from your boards. 

After all, there’s no point in keeping outdated or irrelevant information that could potentially confuse or mislead your audience.

For example, if you pinned a series of pins promoting a limited-time offer that has already ended, it makes sense to delete those pins to avoid any misunderstandings or disappointment for your followers.

Broken or Irrelevant Links

Maintaining a curated and relevant Pinterest presence is essential for ensuring a positive user experience. If you come across pins with broken links or content that no longer aligns with your brand or message, it’s perfectly acceptable to remove them from your boards.

Imagine stumbling upon a pin that promises to lead you to a mouth-watering recipe, only to find that the link is dead or takes you to an entirely unrelated website. 

Not only is this frustrating for users, but it also reflects poorly on your credibility as a content creator or brand.

In situations like these, it’s better to remove the offending pins and ensure that your boards remain a reliable source of valuable and relevant content for your audience.

Conclusion

Let’s wrap things up. The “delete pins” strategy has been a hot topic in the Pinterest community, but as we’ve explored, it’s not the magic solution it’s often made out to be. 

Instead of chasing unsubstantiated claims, focus your energy on building a strong brand presence, fostering genuine engagement, and driving meaningful results through strategic content creation and promotion.

Remember, deleting pins won’t make or break your Pinterest success. 

In fact, it’s often better to leave those pins alone and concentrate on creating fresh, high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Trust the process, stay true to your brand, and watch your Pinterest presence flourish organically.