Do Hashtags Work on Pinterest in 2026?
Short answer: hashtags play a small role — they help categorize a fresh pin — but keywords in your title and description do the heavy lifting. Here's how to use them without wasting effort.
What hashtags do (and don't) do
On Pinterest, hashtags act as extra topic signals, mainly useful when a pin is brand new. They are not the main ranking factor. Unlike Instagram, piling on 20 hashtags won't help — and can look spammy.
How many to use
- 2–5 relevant hashtags is the sweet spot.
- Make them specific (#smallbedroom) rather than generic (#home).
- Put them at the end of the description.
Keywords vs hashtags
Think of it this way: keywords are how Pinterest understands and ranks your pin over the long term; hashtags are a minor, short-term nudge when it's fresh. If you only fix one thing, fix your keywords — see the Pinterest SEO guide.
Get the balance right
Check your keywords, description and hashtags in one score — free.
Open PinRank →FAQ
How many hashtags should I use on Pinterest?
Two to five specific, relevant hashtags at the end of the description.
Are hashtags or keywords more important on Pinterest?
Keywords, by a wide margin. Hashtags are a minor signal; title and description keywords drive ranking.