More than half of Pinterest users view Pinterest as a place to shop, where they can browse ideas, spot new products, and save things they might want to buy later.
That’s not just casual browsing. These are people with intent, actively looking to make purchases.
But here’s the problem: I wasted two full years figuring out how to use Pinterest and what really works.
But when I finally got serious about learning Pinterest properly, my traffic jumped from nothing to 3 million monthly views.
The good news is you don’t have to waste two years as I did. There are Pinterest courses out there that can genuinely save you months of wasted time.
The bad news is that most courses are garbage.
They’re either too basic, completely outdated, or they promise viral pins and guaranteed followers when they should be promising something much simpler: real strategies that actually work.
In this post, I’m breaking down the three best Pinterest courses worth your time, exactly what each one teaches, and which one you should actually start with based on where you are right now.
See What's Inside
Why Pinterest Actually Matters Before You Even Pick a Course
People often ask me why I care so much about Pinterest when Instagram and TikTok exist. The answer is simple: Pinterest isn’t social media. It’s a visual search engine, more like Google than Facebook.
When you post on Instagram, your content lives for maybe two days in people’s feeds. Then it disappears.
Pinterest is different.
A pin you post today can drive traffic to your website six months from now, a year from now, sometimes even longer. I have pins from 2019 that are still bringing in visitors regularly.
That’s not normal for social media platforms, and it’s a huge competitive advantage if you understand how to use it.
The numbers tell the real story behind this.
Pinterest has over 600 million monthly active users. But here’s what’s even more important: 90% of those users are on the platform specifically to find things to buy or make.
They’re not scrolling mindlessly. They’re searching, and they’re looking for solutions.
And 97% of what people search for on Pinterest isn’t branded. They’re not searching for “Nike shoes,” they’re searching for “best running shoes for flat feet” or “how to make homemade pasta.”
That’s perfect for small businesses and creators who can’t compete with massive brands on paid ads.
For someone new to online business, this is gold. You don’t need to go head-to-head with established competitors on Google Ads. You can create helpful content about what people are already searching for on Pinterest, and they’ll find you.
How to Actually Pick the Right Pinterest Course for You
Before we get into the list, let me save you some time and money. Picking the right Pinterest course matters more than people think, so here’s how to look at any option you’re planning to try, not just these three.
Start by asking yourself these three questions:
First: Do you actually need a certificate?
I know, this sounds silly, but I see people get excited about courses because they come with completion certificates.
The truth is, a certificate doesn’t help you. What helps you is knowing how to make pins that get clicked and how to set up your account so Pinterest recommends your content.
If someone tells you they hired them because of a Pinterest course certificate, they’re probably lying. Focus on skills, not credentials.
Second: How much time can you realistically commit?
Be brutally honest with yourself. I once signed up for a comprehensive online business course, thinking I’d do it in three months. I only had two hours a week. It took me eight months.
Some people have no free time. Some people can dedicate ten hours a week. The best course for you is the one you’ll actually finish, not the one that’s marketed the most.
A free six-hour course you complete is worth more than a $500 course you give up on after two weeks.
Third: What’s your actual budget?
Free courses are genuinely great, and there’s no shame in starting there. But sometimes a paid course can save you so much time and money that it pays for itself in weeks.
If you’re serious about Pinterest, a $29 course that teaches you strategies worth thousands of dollars in saved time is obviously worth buying.
But still, if you’re just curious, start free.
Beyond those three questions, do some basic research about the course creator. Where did they learn what they’re teaching? Do they have verifiable student results or just testimonials that could be fake? When was the course last updated?
Pinterest changes constantly. A course that hasn’t been updated in two years is basically outdated.
The 3 Best Pinterest Courses: Detailed Comparison
Now, let me walk you through each course in detail so you can see exactly
what you’re paying for (or not paying for) and who should take each one.
| Aspect | Pinterest Academy | Tailwind | Udemy (Hobart) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | $29 |
| Hours | 6-8 | 6-12 | 8-10 |
| Format | Video lessons | Reading + diagrams | Video |
| Best For | Business owners | DIY creators | Serious learners |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Beginner-Intermediate | Beginner-Advanced |
| Updates | Monthly | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Needs Signup | No | Yes (free Tailwind) | Just Udemy |
| Includes Templates | No | No | 14 templates |
Whether you’re looking for Pinterest marketing courses, free options, or a full paid program, here’s what makes each one different and which fits your situation best.
1. Pinterest Academy
Pinterest Academy is Pinterest’s own academy, which is kind of like learning to drive from the people who built the car. If you’re looking for Pinterest courses for business owners specifically, this is where to start.
What I mean is, if you’re running a business, like an online store, they cover almost everything to help you stand out as a brand on Pinterest, and the best part is, it’s completely free.
Offered by: Pinterest
Platform: Pinterest Academy (free e-learning)
What you’ll learn:
- Pinterest basics: Why Pinterest matters and how people use it
- Ad formats: Promoted Pins, Shopping ads, video ads
- Targeting tactics: Finding your dream audience and using Trends
- Analytics: How to track, measure, and optimize campaigns
- Advanced modules: Certification prep and live webinars
Time commitment: Roughly 15-20 minutes per lesson, 20-30 lessons per course in total (around 6-8 hours)
Price: Free
2. Tailwind’s Pinterest Marketing Courses
Tailwind is an official Pinterest partner, a platform that lets you design, schedule, and optimize pins to grow your reach strategically. It’s like learning from the Pinterest pros, as they offer courses for not just businesses.
But the thing is, they are not video courses you might be looking for, as they are more like reading material, but it doesn’t mean that they are not helpful. They will show you real examples, explain things with visual diagrams and infographics, so you can build a great foundation.
Offered by: Tailwind
Platform: Tailwind website (free modules)
What you’ll learn:
- Pinterest fundamentals: Account optimization, set up Tailwind, and Marketing
- Pin design: Creating viral Pinterest pins
- Scheduling & automation: How to use Tailwind or free tools to automate pinning
- Growing Organic Traffic: Techniques to increase your organic reach and monthly viewers
- Advanced tips: Insights from over a decade of experience and analysis of more than a million pins
Time commitment: 6–12 hours total, modular lessons
Price: Free
3. Pinterest Marketing & Advertising Beginner To Advanced (Udemy)
This Udemy course, taught by eCommerce entrepreneurs Ali and Sumner Hobart, helps both new and experienced users get lots of traffic and sales on Pinterest, and as they mention, you don’t need any marketing background, design skills, or even a website to get started.
The course is super comprehensive, which is great, but it might overwhelm you if you’re just learning about Pinterest for the first time. It’s like getting a fire hose when you just wanted a drink of water.
What I really like about this course is that it teaches you Pinterest SEO in a simple way that anyone can understand, and, on top of that, it’s more like an A-to-Z Pinterest course for you.
Offered by: Sumner Hobart, Ali Hobart
Platform: Udemy
What you’ll learn:
- Pinterest SEO: Finding keywords and niches that drive traffic
- Pin creation: 14 done-for-you Pin templates + design tips
- Ads creation: Pinterest Tag setup, step-by-step ads creation, and campaign management
- Analytics guidance: Identifying winners and ditching losers
- Latest updates: Pinterest’s new tools and strategies
Time commitment: 8–10 hours of video content
Price: $29 (common Udemy sale price)
Getting Real Results From Your Course (The Part Most People Skip)
These are not the only courses on Pinterest, but rather ones that I’ve chosen because I believe the content inside them holds true value.
In other words, the course doesn’t matter as much as what you do after you finish it.
So, before you start any course, set, or at least think about, a specific goal.
Not “I want more traffic.” It’s too general and won’t move you.
What I meant is something like “I want to get 500 monthly views from Pinterest in three months” or “I want to publish one pin every day for 90 days and see what happens.”
When your goals are clear and specific, you’re more likely to stick with them and finish what you started.
Next, you have to actually do the exercises.
I know it’s tempting to just watch all the videos and think you’ve got it figured out. Well, you don’t.
Watching someone explain how to make a pin is completely different from actually making one yourself. The exercises are needed for a reason.
And join the course communities if they exist.
Some courses have Facebook groups or forums. The tips from other students often matter more than the course material itself. Someone might have solved a problem you’re about to run into.
Also, track what works.
Create a simple spreadsheet noting which pins get clicks, which content performs better, and which posting times matter. This is simply about using what you learn to get better.
And what you should never forget is that Pinterest is seasonal. Holiday content works differently in December, and back-to-school content works in July.
Give yourself at least six weeks before you judge whether Pinterest is working for you or not. One month isn’t enough data at all.
Wrapping Up
Pinterest isn’t getting smaller or losing its users. It’s growing; more people are using it.
And more businesses are realizing how much traffic it can send. The sooner you figure out how to use it, the bigger your advantage.
The best Pinterest courses are the ones you’ll actually finish and actually apply.
For most people, that means starting with a free Pinterest course before spending any money.
Try Pinterest Academy. It costs nothing, takes a few hours, and gives you everything you need to understand the platform.
If you get into it and want to go deeper, Tailwind’s courses will teach you the practical side of pin design and growth.
And if you’re serious about understanding the strategy and SEO side, the Udemy course is worth the $29.
Don’t get paralyzed trying to pick the “perfect” course. They’re all good.
Pick one. Finish it. Start creating. That’s literally all you need to do.
