How to Lock Down Your Pinterest Fortress: Making Your Account Private

Want to enjoy Pinterest without the whole world knowing your every aesthetic whim? You’ve come to the right place. Making your Pinterest account private is a surprisingly straightforward process. Simply convert your account to a business account (if it isn’t already), then disable search engine indexing and prevent people from saving from your profile. Let’s delve into the practical steps to achieve this digital sanctuary.

The Secret Sauce: Turning Off Public Visibility

While Pinterest doesn’t offer a straight-up “private account” button like some other platforms, it provides the tools you need to achieve a similar effect. This method leverages the platform’s business account settings to your advantage.

Step 1: Business Account Conversion (If Necessary)

If you already have a business account, you can skip this step. Otherwise, here’s how to make the switch:

1. Log in to your Pinterest account. This should be the account you want to make private.
2. Navigate to your profile. Click on your profile picture or name in the top-right corner.
3. Access Settings. Click the downward arrow (or three dots) and select “Settings.”
4. Account Management. Look for a section like “Account Management” or “Convert to Business Account.” The exact wording may vary slightly depending on Pinterest’s current interface.
5. Follow the prompts. Pinterest will guide you through the process. You might be asked for business details, but you can enter minimal information (even placeholder details) if you’re not actually running a business. The key here is to unlock the features available to business accounts.

Step 2: Disabling Search Engine Indexing

This is the crucial step that prevents your profile and boards from appearing in Google, Bing, and other search engine results.

1. Return to your Settings. After (or if already having) converting to a business account, go to settings again.
2. Locate Public Profile Settings. In your settings, find the “Public Profile” options, sometimes labeled “Profile Visibility.”
3. Toggle “Hide From Search Engines.” Find the option that says something like “Hide your profile from search engines” or “Prevent search engines from indexing your profile.” Make sure the toggle is switched to the “on” position. This signals to search engines that you don’t want your profile listed in their results.

Step 3: Preventing Saves from Your Profile (Workaround)

Pinterest doesn’t offer a direct setting to prevent people from saving your Pins. However, you can achieve a similar result by using secret boards and being mindful of what you Pin from other sources.

1. Utilize Secret Boards: Create secret boards for all your personal Pins. Secret boards are only visible to you (and anyone you specifically invite).
2. Move Existing Pins: Transfer any Pins you want to keep private from public boards to your secret boards.
3. Pin Wisely: When pinning from other websites, be aware that those Pins may still be saved by others from the original source. To keep things truly private, avoid pinning from public websites altogether and instead create your own content and upload it directly to your secret boards.
4. Board Settings: Review the settings for each board you have to make sure they are the right type of board for you.

Important Considerations

• Existing Indexed Content: It can take some time for search engines to de-index your profile after you disable search engine visibility. Be patient.
• Collaborative Boards: If you participate in collaborative boards, your Pins on those boards will still be visible to other members of the board, even if your profile is hidden from search engines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pinterest Privacy

FAQ 1: Does making my Pinterest account private prevent people from following me?

No, it doesn’t. People can still follow you, but they won’t be able to easily find your profile through search engines if you’ve disabled indexing. They also won’t be able to see your boards and pins (if they are on a secret board) unless you send them an invite to see them.

FAQ 2: Will people I’m already following still see my Pins?

If your Pins are on public boards, yes. Only Pins on secret boards are hidden from everyone except you and those you specifically invite.

FAQ 3: Can I make individual boards private instead of my entire account?

Absolutely! This is the recommended approach for most users. Create secret boards for the Pins you want to keep private, and keep your other boards public. This allows you to curate a public persona while keeping personal interests private.

FAQ 4: How do I invite someone to view my secret board?

On the secret board, you’ll see an option to “Invite” people. You can then enter their email address or Pinterest username to grant them access.

FAQ 5: Can others see my activity on Pinterest, like the Pins I’ve liked or commented on?

Yes, if the Pins you’ve interacted with are on public boards. Your activity is generally visible to others unless the Pin or board is private.

FAQ 6: If I make my account private, will I still be able to see other people’s Pins?

Yes, making your account private only affects your own profile’s visibility. You can still browse and interact with other people’s Pins as usual.

FAQ 7: I converted to a business account, but I don’t actually have a business. Is that a problem?

No, it’s not a problem. Many people use business accounts for the extra features they offer, even if they’re not running a business. You can enter placeholder information when prompted for business details.

FAQ 8: How long does it take for my profile to disappear from search engine results after I disable indexing?

It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for search engines to re-crawl your website and remove your profile from their index. Be patient and check back periodically.

FAQ 9: I’m seeing conflicting information online about Pinterest privacy. What should I believe?

Pinterest’s features and settings change periodically. Always refer to the official Pinterest Help Center for the most up-to-date information.

FAQ 10: Can I switch back to a personal account after making it a business account?

Yes, you can switch back to a personal account from the settings menu. Just remember that you’ll lose access to the business account features if you do so, including the ability to hide your profile from search engines.

FAQ 11: I shared a Pin from a public website, but now I want to keep it private. What can I do?

You can move that Pin to a secret board. However, keep in mind that the Pin might still be saved by others from the original website. The most effective way is to delete that Pin entirely and upload that image on your secret board.

FAQ 12: Are group boards considered public or private?

Group boards are considered public. Anyone who is a member of the board can see all the Pins on that board, regardless of whether your overall profile is hidden from search engines. If you want to share Pins privately with a specific group of people, consider creating a secret board and inviting them to it instead.

By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you can effectively manage your Pinterest privacy and create a personalized experience that feels comfortable and secure. Enjoy pinning!