“Because sometimes the underdog has better ROI, and better taste.”
Let’s Start With the Obvious: Google Owns the Search World… Right?
Ask any marketer where to get traffic, and nine out of ten will say Google before they even finish their overpriced latte.
And they’re not wrong, Google still dominates global search. But just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s working for you.
Here’s the thing no one wants to admit: Google is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Algorithm updates hit like your last situationship. One day you’re making out, the next you’re wondering if you said something wrong? You didn’t even say I Love You!
And with AI now running the front desk at Google HQ? It’s not just search, it’s smart search, powered by Gemini and its army of answer bots. That means:
•Fewer clicks to your site
•More AI summaries replacing your content
•A lot of websites doing unpaid ghostwriting for Google’s chatbot
Which brings us to the point of this entire rant:
“You need a traffic plan that doesn’t fall apart every time Google sneezes.”
Enter Pinterest: The Quietly Powerful Visual Search Engine
If Google is the moody boyfriend who keeps changing the rules mid-game, Pinterest is the dependable, introverted friend who doesn’t talk much but shows up with solid traffic every single day.
Let’s set the record straight: Pinterest isn’t a social media platform. It’s a visual search engine.
People don’t go there to scroll aimlessly—they go to search with intention. Whether it’s “how to start a blog,” their next “bojo inspired kitchen design,” or “best places to visit,” users are looking for answers in image form. And they’re saving content for later, which is the digital equivalent of commitment. These users are intended to make a transaction!
In other words, Pinterest users actually want to find and revisit your content.
Longevity vs. Volatility: The Real Traffic ROI
Let’s talk shelf life.
Google: Fast results… until it isn’t
You can rank today, but an algorithm change next month could ghost you without warning. Most blog content lives and dies by its ranking—and ranking depends on Google’s mood.
Pinterest: Evergreen traffic on autopilot
Pins last years. Not days. Not weeks. Years. A pin you create today can still be driving traffic in 2027 if it’s optimized and relevant. Based on experience, a pin I posted last 2021 is having a resurgence now in 2025.
This makes Pinterest the index fund of content marketing, slow and steady, with compounding returns.
And here’s the kicker: Pinterest content isn’t just long-lived; it’s also less competitive. While everyone else is fighting to rank on Google, Pinterest’s search results are wide open for niche content to thrive.
Pinterest’s Secret Sauce
Unlike most platforms, Pinterest has a magical combo that marketers should be foaming at the mouth over:
•Search intent like Google – I call this search intent “ideology”
•Visual discovery like Instagram
•Content lifespan like YouTube
It’s the triple threat no one’s talking about.
People come to Pinterest to solve problems. To make decisions. To find inspiration. Which means they’re already in “conversion mode.” This makes Pinterest a dream for creators, coaches, eCom stores, and service providers.
And let’s not forget: over 460 million people use Pinterest every month. This isn’t niche. This is quiet power.
Google’s Achilles’ Heel: The AI Takeover
Back to Google. The elephant in the room.
Search results in 2025 are starting to look less like “Here are your options,” and more like “Here’s what Gemini thinks, take it or leave it.”
Google’s new search experience (AI-only or not) is designed to keep users inside Google, not send them to you. Remember that narcissistic ex you had who keeps isolating you from your friends?
Even if you do show up in search, your link is often buried under:
•Featured snippets
•AI summaries
•YouTube embeds (thanks, Google)
•Shopping carousels (also… Google)
Let’s be honest: if you’re not in the top 3 organic results, you’re invisible. And even then, you’re fighting for scraps under a pile of Google-owned features.
The Pinterest Advantage for Modern Brands
If you’re building a brand in 2025, Pinterest gives you what Google doesn’t:
✅ A level playing field
✅ Less algorithm drama
✅ Evergreen traffic
✅ Direct clicks to your site
✅ Lower ad costs if you’re running promoted Pins
And no, you don’t need to be a food blogger or DIY queen. Pinterest is thriving with:
•Tech tutorials
•Productivity and habit content
•Business strategy infographics
•SaaS tools and comparison charts
•Coaching and digital products
If your audience has a problem they want to solve visually, Pinterest can work for you.
TL;DR (But Please Don’t Skim This Far)
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|
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Lifespan |
Months to Years |
Months to Years |
|
Competition |
Brutal |
Manageable |
|
Algorithm Risk |
High (frequent changes) |
Low (predictable behavior) |
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Format |
Text-based, often AI summarized |
Visual-based, evergreen |
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Control |
Minimal |
You own the content + direction |
Final Word: Don’t Sleep on Pinterest
If you’re still betting everything on Google in 2025, I hope you have a backup plan, and a strong drink.
Pinterest isn’t just “alternative traffic.” It’s smart, sustainable growth. It’s an underrated goldmine that doesn’t play by the same manipulative algorithm rules. And in a world where AI is rewriting the rules of visibility, being in control of your content reach matters more than ever.
We are not replacing Google. We are diversifying your traffic.
So stop ignoring Pinterest like your geeky friend who keeps showing up. It’s a legit search engine, and it’s wide open for the taking.
