Pinterest vs Instagram for Business in 2024

Hey there, business owners and marketers! Are you feeling a bit lost trying to decide between Pinterest and Instagram for your business in 2024?

I get it, both platforms have their strengths and it can be tough to know where to focus your time and energy.

But don’t worry, I’m here to break it all down for you in this epic showdown of Pinterest vs Instagram.

As the founder of Traffic Pin, I help businesses grow their organic website traffic and Pinterest accounts every day.

So trust me, I know a thing or two about these platforms. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the similarities and differences between Pinterest and Instagram, explore the latest trends and features for 2024, and help you determine which one is the best fit for your unique business goals.

So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let’s get started on this wild ride of Pinterest vs Instagram in 2024!

Similarities Between Pinterest and Instagram

Before we get into the juicy differences, let’s take a quick look at what Pinterest and Instagram have in common:

Both are highly visual platforms that rely on eye-catching images and videos to engage users
They each have huge user bases, with over 1 billion monthly active users on Instagram and 450+ million on Pinterest
Brands can build a following, interact with their audience, and promote products or services on both platforms
Influencer marketing is popular on Pinterest and Instagram, with many creators monetizing their accounts through sponsored content
Users can discover new content and accounts to follow through the home feed, search, and explore pages

But that’s pretty much where the similarities end.

Despite both being visual platforms, Pinterest and Instagram function very differently and are used for distinct purposes by their respective audiences.

Key Differences Between Pinterest vs Instagram

Now let’s get into the meat of this Pinterest vs Instagram debate and look at the major differences between the two platforms:

Pinterest	Instagram
Visual search engine	Social sharing platform
Used for saving ideas and planning	Used to connect with others and share life updates
Content has a long lifespan and can resurface over time	Content has a short lifespan and gets buried quickly
Primarily focused on static images	Heavily focused on video content, especially short-form (Reels)
Users are in a discovery mindset, open to new ideas	Users are in a social mindset, interacting with friends/accounts they already follow
Traffic is the main goal – clicking through to websites	Engagement is the main goal – likes, comments, shares, saves
Demographics skew heavily female, 30-50 years old	Demographics are more evenly split and trend younger

As you can see, Pinterest and Instagram are fundamentally different in terms of how they work and how people use them.

Pinterest is a visual search engine, where users go to discover and save ideas for later. The content on Pinterest has a much longer lifespan, with pins resurfacing in search results and continuing to drive traffic for months or even years.

Instagram, on the other hand, is a social sharing app where the focus is on connecting with friends and staying up-to-date on their lives.

The content moves much faster, with posts getting buried in the algorithm after a day or two. Instagram is also becoming increasingly video-focused, with a big push towards short-form video content with Reels.

Another key difference is user intent. On Pinterest, people are in a discovery mindset and are actively looking for new ideas and inspiration.

They’re more likely to click through to a website or blog post to learn more. But on Instagram, users are in a social mindset and are primarily there to interact with their existing network.

The main goal is engagement on the platform itself, rather than driving traffic elsewhere.

Latest Trends and Features for 2024

Both Pinterest and Instagram are constantly evolving, rolling out new features and shifting their focus based on user behavior and feedback.

Here are some of the key trends and updates to be aware of for each platform in 2024:

Pinterest Trends 2024

Increased focus on video content with Idea Pins (multi-page video pins)
Expansion of AR Try On features for home decor, beauty, and fashion pins
Emphasis on creator tools and support, including tips, analytics, and monetization options
More robust shopping features, including product tagging, catalog uploads, and in-app checkout
Continued growth of Pinterest TV with exclusive live original content
Improved search relevance and personalized recommendations powered by AI

Instagram Trends 2024

Short-form video content (Reels) takes center stage in the app and algorithm
Shift towards more candid, less curated content (think BeReal)
Expansion of in-app shopping features, especially for small businesses
More interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and AR filters in Stories and posts
Emphasis on creators and influencers with new monetization tools and exclusive perks
Crackdown on inauthentic behavior and focus on transparency/trust in partnerships

As you can see, both platforms are leaning into video, shopping, and creator content as key priorities for 2024.

But they’re approaching these elements in distinct ways that align with their core functionalities and user behaviors.

Which Platform is Best for Your Business?

So now for the million dollar question – which platform should you choose for your business, Pinterest or Instagram?

The answer, as with most things in marketing, is it depends. Here are some factors to consider:

Your industry and niche – Is your content highly visual and inspirational (better for Pinterest) or more personal/lifestyle-focused (better for Instagram)?
Your target audience – Does your ideal customer match the demographics and behaviors of Pinterest or Instagram users?
Your business goals – Are you primarily focused on driving traffic and sales (Pinterest) or building brand awareness and engagement (Instagram)?
Your content style – Do you excel at creating evergreen, informational content (Pinterest) or timely, personality-driven content (Instagram)?
Your bandwidth – Can you consistently show up and engage on Instagram, or do you prefer a slower pace and longer-term strategy on Pinterest?

Ultimately, your choice between Pinterest vs Instagram should come down to your unique business needs and resources.

And keep in mind, you don’t necessarily have to choose just one! Many businesses maintain a presence on both platforms, adjusting their strategy for each one.

For example, a wedding photographer may use Instagram to showcase their personality and connect with potential clients, while using Pinterest to drive traffic to their blog posts with planning tips and inspiration.

An ecommerce brand may focus on product pins and catalog uploads on Pinterest, while using Instagram for influencer partnerships and user-generated content.

The key is to be intentional about your goals and approach for each platform, rather than trying to force the same strategy on both.

Frequently Asked Questions

To wrap things up, let’s go through some frequently asked questions about Pinterest vs Instagram for businesses:

Can I just repurpose my Instagram content on Pinterest?

While you can certainly share some content across both platforms, it’s important to optimize for each one. Pinterest content should be more evergreen and actionable, with vertical images and detailed descriptions. Instagram content should be more timely and engaging, with a mix of photos, videos, Stories, and Reels.

Should I use hashtags on Pinterest and Instagram?

Hashtags work differently on each platform. On Instagram, hashtags are essential for discoverability and should be used strategically in posts and Stories. But on Pinterest, hashtags are not clickable and are less important for SEO. Focus on keywords in your pin titles and descriptions instead.

How often should I post on each platform?

Consistency is key on both Pinterest and Instagram, but the ideal posting frequency may vary. On Instagram, aim for at least one feed post per day, plus regular Stories and Reels. On Pinterest, you can get away with pinning less often, but aim for at least a few fresh pins per week, plus re-pinning relevant content regularly.

Should I use paid ads on Pinterest or Instagram?

Both Pinterest and Instagram offer paid advertising options that can be effective for reaching new audiences and driving conversions. The right choice will depend on your ad creative, targeting options, and budget. If your goal is traffic and sales, Pinterest ads may be a better fit, while Instagram ads are great for brand awareness and engagement.

Conclusion

Phew, we covered a lot in this Pinterest vs Instagram deep dive!

I hope this article has given you a clearer understanding of the key differences between the two platforms and how to choose the best one for your business in 2024.

Remember, Pinterest is a visual search engine best for driving traffic and sales, while Instagram is a social sharing app best for building community and engagement.

The right choice will depend on your unique business goals, target audience, and content style.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed or need some extra guidance, that’s where Traffic Pin comes in. We specialize in helping businesses grow their organic reach and results on Pinterest, with personalized strategies and expert support. So if you’re ready to unlock the power of Pinterest for your business, give us a shout!

No matter which platform you choose, the most important thing is to stay true to your brand voice, provide value to your audience, and keep experimenting to see what works best.

With a little creativity and consistency, you can find success on either Pinterest or Instagram (or both!) in 2024 and beyond.

Happy pinning and ‘gramming, friends!