I wrote a post on Food Blogging Etiquette about a year ago. I think I wrote it more for me than anyone else, as I often refer to it when I am in doubt about how to proceed. Based on the great feedback, I decided to give it another go!
A lot has happened in the last year, lots of blogging changes, and one of the biggest happenings is Pinterest.
I wanted to share with you how I use Pinterest because I feel like it has changed how I blog.
This is not a “how to” as much as a “works for me“.
For Personal Use:
I love pinning things to my boards. I love going back and looking at them and being reminded of what inspired me or made me smile.
I think this is very important!
My boards are really personal to my tastes and could even be considered boring to the majority. There are no pretty nail polish boards or travel boards or even fitness boards. But there are cake stands that I am obsessed with and quotes that make me laugh every single time I read them and more dessert boards then I can sometimes handle!
I love coming across new boards and seeing how they reveal peoples personalities. Its so fun getting to know those who truly pin their hearts delight!
For Blog Traffic:
I have found that Pinterest is in my top three for traffic referrals. That is amazing to me! But, it also seems that this resource of traffic is mostly out of my control. I cannot determine what (if anything) will be a popular pin.
I can, however, make sure that I have a board that is all originally sourced. My board, i am baker blog, is only pictures from my blog and only pictures pinned directly from the post they are from. Out of my 34 boards, two of the boards are pins from my site only. (i am baker blog and i am baker Halloween)
Why do I pin from my blog? It makes me feel better knowing that at least one of the images of my treats will be an originally sourced pin. So many times I see a beautiful image and cant find the source! Self pinning is one little attempt to rectify that situation.
When reviewing the Pin Etiquette page I see that they dont speak specifically to the self-pinning issue anymore. Also, many big names like Better Home and Gardens and Food Network are mostly focused on pinning things from their own site. In those instances, I really like that! When I pull up Martha Stewarts boards, I want to see everything Martha!
Also, I am trying to always remember to put a logo on each picture. I do this in case my items are not pinned from the original source, then people will still be able to figure out how to find my blog.
What is a non-organic pin?
Say Craftzine.com shares my Red Velvet Strawberry Shortcake. I so appreciate the link love! But what if someone pins my image from their site? Then uses twitter, facebook, google +, etc. to share that link back to their personal pin board? I (as in my site) am now twice removed. Having a logo or blog name on my picture can help some.
If you happen to see something of yours that is pinned to a different site, feel free to leave your direct link in the comments, or even request that it be updated. Pinterest is extremely accommodating.
For You:
I have been food blogging for just over two years now and have gotten to know some really wonderful people. I love that I can go to Maria’s site and pin some of her amazing cookies and share them with people instantly. Or that I can visit Maria’s Pinterest boards, like her A Few Favorite Recipes board, and know that if I re-pin, they are originally sourced and Maria will get all the traffic.
Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt Cookie via twopeasandtheirpod.com
Being able to instantly get other peoples images and ideas into such a huge forum is such a wonderful gift. I am consistently so impressed by peoples talents, I just loving being able to pin their work and share it with the world.
My Personal Rules of Pinning:
Only pin from original sources. Only re-pin if I have clicked over to find out its got an original source. If it doesnt, dont pin it. I do leave comments letting people know there is no original source, and most times the person who pinned it will find that source and update the link!
Tag appropriately. Write a description for your pin (or change it for a re-pin) and tag it back to the creator when possible. This helps others track pins from their site as well! I am finding that the more people I follow, the more fun and creative and interesting pins I see, as well as it makes it easier to properly tag people.
‘Like’ and comment. I think liking pins and commenting is just an important as pinning!
If I am BLOGGING about something I found on Pinterest, don’t link back to Pinterest. Link back to the original source. Saying, “Inspired by Pinterest” is like saying, “Inspired by Life.” It just does not give credit to the person who worked so hard to share their gifts with us!
And there you have it. Do you have any rules of pinning that you abide by? I would love to hear!
I, too, am a big fan of Pinterest. It has definitely become the center of my inspiration! I like your comment about revisiting and being reminded of what you’ve pinned; I’ll keep that in mind. I spend so much time pinning that I actually don’t revisit my pins!
Erin, did you know a shortcut to seeing your pins? GO to your main page (logged in) and let your mouse hover over your name. A list will drop down. Click on PINS and you will be taken to a page of everything you have pinned! Happy pinning sweety! (how many times can I say pinned in one comment????)
Amanda, thanks for sharing! I adore Pinterest as well and one thing I love about it is all the new blogs I have discovered by clicking through to the original source. It’s a fantastic way to see the beautiful goodies put out into the world and a place for me to keep track of things I want to make! Another tip I’ve been trying to do more is writing the source of the pin in the description – that way other pinners can see where the pin came from before clicking to the original source. I also love pinning so many of your beautiful baked goods!
Oh, thank you Tracy! I agree with you… have come across so many new blogs and its great!
When I see something sourced as Adapted from Pinterest it makes me cringe fir whoever the person’s work is not getting credit. There is plenty of love to go around in blogland. No reason not to source.
Well said!! Many blessings to you today sweety!
well-written and many good points – I think a good portion of the Pinterest community is starting to realize the importance of sourcing and pinning etiquette. Hopefully one day it will be just like holding the door open for someone – not much effort and it’s the right thing to do!
I like how you say that!! I agree with you wholeheartedly.
What a great article. I have only been pinning for a couple of months and check links as I am pinning. I find the images i pin are both intriguing and beautiful. But most of all I am pinning because I think of Pinterest as a wonderful vault containing an amazing collection of resources for me to use in future, therefore I find the source link essential for me. I will be following you on Pinterest besides your blog, which i already follow.
BTW, I am new to food blogging and am envious on your beautiful photoes on your site – I hope in time to be able to post photos of my food that look as enticing as yours
You are too kind Claire! Be sure to leave a link to your site, would love to check it out!
I so agree with your approach to using Pinterest! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts & your personal rules for pinning; I adhere to those too. I’m now following you on Pinterest.
Thanks! Am I following you? I would like to!
I’m not sure – but, here’s my link:
http://pinterest.com/joyinmykitchen/
I find it helpful when pins link back to the specific blog post, not just the blog’s home page. It’s so frustrating to see a great idea and then have to search through tons of blog posts to find the specific one.
Excellent point!
Thank you so much for this, Amanda. I just joined Pinterest (as I’m sure you know because you just followed me back–thanks!). I really needed to hear these etiquette rules.
I noticed a difference between random pins and pins with a link source at the bottom, so I started pinning original things immediately to get credit where credit is due. Plus, it just looks cleaner
Thanks for writing this
You bet! Thanks for joining so we can become addicted together.
It was funny to see this post in my feed reader, because I have a “pinterest etiquette” post in my drafts right now! I think it’s important to get a few key messages out about using it for everyone’s benefit. Loved this!
Thanks!! Be sure to come back and share the link to your post when you make it live… would love to read it!
One rule of pinning that is often broken is pinning the whole recipe or complete written instructions with the pictures. It denies the original owner or creator a visit or perhaps, many visits.
That is so true Paula!
I totally agree with you about pinning fron the original source and/or re-pinning only if the original source is easily found. Actually, I just blogged about this recently. I have also taken to posting a link to the original source in my description to make it even easier to get to.
Sarah, would love for you to share your link! Any extra info helps!
Sure! Here you go – http://www.thecyclistswife.blogspot.com/2012/03/blogging-copying-copyright-discussion.html
Pinterest is in my top three of traffic aswell, even if Gemany is still a bit slow with getting use to pinterest.
I haven’t thought of pinning my blog entrys yet, but reading your “how do I pin” I need to re-think it.
What is important for me, using a strong name for the pin, so that if I search I can find my pin and others can find it aswell.
And its so frustrating coming across an amazing picture on pinterest only to discover that there is no link to the real recipe
That is an excellent point Tina… labeling your pins!! Thank you so much for reminding me of that… off to edit the post!
Thank you so much for this post, it is SO helpful! I have literally never thought about half the things you bring up, but I love Pinterest and definitely want to do it the fair way.
Thank you so much Courtney! Happy pinning girl!
Thank you Amanda, I really enjoyed reading your blog about Pinterest. I am relatively new to it, but so far, it has not disappointed, I really like it. Your photos are always wonderful; demonstrating such eye of detail and creativity. Hope you have a great week.
Thank you so much! You are so kind.
There is nothing more irritating than seeing an image of a craft or food, clicking to find the directions or recipe and having it go nowhere. As I clean up my repins (which is somewhere close to 1500;pins) Obama using tineye, which is a Firefox app to try to locate the original source. I’m so glad this is being addressed. I hate that it tool bloggers getting irritated to bring this to the forefront, but im grateful.
You sure have a lot of pins girl! And way to go for taking the initiative to do better… that is very admirable! I want to be like you.
Thanks Amanda! Great post!! I love Pinterst … have been on it for some time. In the beginning, I would just pin away. However, over the last several months, I’ve been more selective. If I can’t click to the original source, I will not to re-pin (sometimes I forget!). Or if a pin takes me to the main blog, I will try my best to find the actual blog post and update my link. I like your suggestion about not linking back to Pinterest. Thanks again!
Sounds like you are doing a great job Marlene!
Awesome post, Amanda! When I find a pin that I want to re-pin, I have become much more conscientious about clicking back to find the original source. No source, no pin. I’ve even gone back to check on my existing boards (S-L-O-W-L-Y one-by-one) to see if there are any old pins that don’t have a good source. If I find one, I delete it.
AND – here’s my best tip: http://www.graphicsfairy-crafts.com/2012/03/how-to-find-original-source-of-image-on.html?showComment=1331336434394
In short, you can do an IMAGE search on Google! (This was new to me!) This has been helpful to me in finding original sources. Sometimes, though – even this leads to a dead end. Still, it’s a good tool to know about.
You’ve shared very thoughtfully. I like that approach rather than getting all “over-heated” about it! Thanks. {hugs} ~Sally
Such great tips Sally… thank you so much!!!
So true!
I am SO new to Pinterest. Just a couple of weeks! I am new to it all truly – caking for a year, I only follow your blog and Bakerella’s and even then only for a year.
What’s funny is I first started collecting other’s caker’s cakes on Pinterst to help my own customers. Most of my discussions with brides are via email and us taking pieces of cakes they like and making their own. One customer wanted to see various buttercream rose cakes – hence your seeing me having so many pinned! I love the design as a middle tier especially, or top tier of a two tiered. Now I do it for all customers and have built a hefty collection!
Ok I mostly do it for me.
Now that I’m more “into” the site I’m going back, unpinning, repinning original, tagging, it’s a lot of work! Good thing I’m good at obsessing lol!
Sheena
http://pinterest.com/sheenahouse
That is brilliant Sheena… using your board for clients. How smart!!
I love your website and completely agree with you. Pinterest is why I subscribe to your website too. I love the pins but I hate it when the link is gone and you can’t source the inspiration.
Thank you Barbara!
Hi there, excellent rules! I usually link from the original source AND comment on the blog. And if I later make a recipe or a craft, I mention it in my blog (link to original source) AND let the original author know, by a comment, that I made her/his recipe/craft.
That is wonderful Gaby!! I bet the people you pin love it!!!
Hello Amanda!
I love Pinterest and probably spend too much time there … I have boards for all things I am interested in, and as you said, they are probably not very interesting for others
I go back and look at what I’ve pinned often, looking for inspiration on what to cook, what to bake, and what to wear if I suddendly happen to lose 30 pounds
I have a board, called “Things I made”, where I pin stuff from my website so that more people can see and/or buy it.
-Ida
Ooohhh…. can you share your pinterest handle? I definitely want to make sure I am following that board!
definitely! it is: https://pinterest.com/madebyida/things-i-made/
Thank you for the great post. I just started a site and have a specific board for things only from my page. Great tips on changing the description, that way the pin easy comes up when someone uses the search option. I will definitely be more careful about pinning from the original source after reading this, just something I didn’t think about. I have found some many wonderful sites through pinterest and think who ever thought of it is a absolute genius
lol I agree!! Its such a wonderful site!
Now here’s a question for you. I have no control of my company’s website, so I upload pictures of my new cakes to Facebook, which doesn’t allow pinning, so on pintrest I upload my pictures and they are in the uploaded by user category, would most of you not repin due to not having a source? I make sure they all have a decent sized company logo watermark on them so its known where they are from… Advice?
Great question Kat! You can maybe out a disclaimer in the comments? Something like, “I own this image and uploaded it?” I would love to hear others feedback as well…
I rarely re-pin anything. I normally click on something I like and check the source. Sometimes people pin things they like but if you read the content the blog might say ” this great idea came from this blog.” So i like to go to that blog to pin. I also like to make sure the pin is pinned directly to the post and not the homepage. I will then go back and like the original pinner…that’s my way of saying thanks for pinning this. I also like commenting, because I love it when someone comments on something I’ve pinned.
I also comment on anything that I have actually made or tried at home. Usually a quick review like, “I made this for dinner last night and the entire family loved it!”
I would really love it if Pinterest would make a little click box to say, I actually made this project/recipe myself.
I admit it, I am addicted to Pinterest. It rocks!
Those are some excellent tips Kaci!! I love how you do things and I think I need to be more like you!
I like re-pinning, but I only do so if the original link puts me back to the blog author. If not, I go to the blog author’s page and pin it – but I like your idea of “liking” the original pinner. Thanks!
Very good tips and pointers for etiquette. The dead pins bug me too. I’m kind of on the fence for self-pinning. I can understand why small to medium bloggers do it, to make sure they get credit for their intellectual property. But why does Design*Sponge, or BHG self pin? It just feels weird.
I think (and this is totally a wild guess) they use Pinterest for marketing and advertising. Whereas we use it for the beauty of it, the inspiration, the joy…. they are interesting in promoting their product and driving traffic to their site. I think?
My one rule is to have a link! i always check through on something I want to repin to make sure it has a link so I can find it. Most of my pins are for me to come back to and perhaps make or do, so if I cannot find the original location from where the pin has been pinned from , I find it frustrating.
Agreed. Sounds like you are doing things exactly right though!
Great post! Thanks for sharing! And thanks for the shout out!
Anytime pretty lady!
Great post and one of my pet peeves. I won’t repin something if I can’t credit the original artist and I wish everyone would do that. About Tineye! I have rarely been successful using it, it never finds anything. But Google image does all the time! You download the picture in question and save it, go to Google, click on images, then in the search bar there is a picture of a little camera….click on it and it will give you the option of uploading the picture you just downloaded. Then it will search the web and report back everywhere that picture was found. I have spent hours searching this way to find original sources. Thanks for the post!
Great tips and tricks Michele… thank you so much!! I will definitely be trying it!
All great tips! I finally started placing my blog name on my photos as I have been worried about my recipes not being pinned properly.
So glad you did that Stephanie… your photos are so lovely!!
Great info! I am fairly new to Pinterest and seem to have become quite manic in the things I have been pinning (from beautiful/geeky things I like to toddler activities for my work to sweet 16 party planning for my 14 yr old daughters…yes only 14 and planning!)
I did read another article about crediting the original source of pins and have altered my pinning madness(and need to ‘fix’ my old pins). Now when I peruse Pinterest, I ‘like’ the pins I see and then later when I have time, go back and click on the pin to get to the original source. It can be time consuming, but I know that I am doing the right thing. PLUS I have found SO many wonderful blogs that I am now following…yours included! There is such a wealth of information out there that isn’t really covered in just one pin! And GREAT idea posting this on your baking page….more people need this info! Keep up the great work!
You are wonderful Debbi! What a great way to approach it all… I know I am thankful for your attention to detail!
I love pinterest too. I love all the recipes and crafts others have pinned. When I click on a pin, if it doesn’t have the original source I won’t repin it either. If I really like the pin, I will do what I can to find the original source. When I pin an item, I will include the name of it that the owner has given it and then add “@ and the link to the item”. I do this so the anyone repinning my pin will also add the direct link unless they change their repin. Also I do this because if I want to go back to the original source, all I have to do is click on the “@ and direct link”. It is a lot faster to return to the item. I do also pin my items to my boards. I now make sure that I add my watermark to my item so if someone else pins it, at least it will have my watermark on the item.
Cheri
You are a Pinterest Rock Star Cheri!!! Awesome job!
I love and adore Pinterest! LOVE! I really could stay there all day. I think my favorite part about it is seeing what my friends and relatives pin. Like your cake stands…”Oh, Amanda loves cake stands…I love them, too” or “I never knew that Susie was into quilting.” That sort of thing. I really try to only pin projects that I would actually attempt someday. Or something that might inspire another project of my own…a jumping off point.
I’m not loving companies using Pinterest for contests and self-promotion. It kind of takes away the original “spirit” of Pinterest, since I’m one of the creators and all that. HAHA…I have no idea what the original spirit of it was, that’s just my take.
Oh Bridget, how I heart thee. Yes, I know what you mean! I have felt that before… some boards you go to and it just feels icky. In-authentic. And others, like YOURS, feel so fun and inspiring!! You bring up some great points girl!
oh Bridget I TOTALLY agree! I hate seeing Pinterest being used that way. It makes people pin something they may not have pinned, just for a chance to win something.
Great post Amanda
Thanks Cheryl!
This is a great post. For me, Pinterest is also a top 3 referrer to my blog, so you can’t ignore the importance of sharing content there and ensuring that it is properly sourced. In addition to expanding your reach, I love the visual index of past recipes that I have created – almost like my foodie family photo wall! I completely agree that it is a gamble in knowing which pins are going to resonate and which are going to sit silently on your board. Anyway, enough rambling… thanks for your thoughts and sharing this post!
And thank you for sharing your thoughts Christine! I love the visual aspect of it all too!
I just started commenting as well as “liking”. I have found such wonderful inspiration at Pinterest and it is a great way to reach out to community and let them know they are valued! Thanks, Amanda – great words of wisdom!
Me too Susan! Its amazing to me how many people comment back… I am really getting to know some amazing people! Many blessing to you today sweet friend!
I love Pinterest. I am such a visual person and am so creatively inspired browsing through. I think the whole nature of Pinterest is one of generosity and I really love that about it. I think for those who are aware of the power of images vs. web traffic- you should do your best to give appropriate credit whenever possible. But let’s not forget that it was also designed for fun and for personal storage of great tear sheets (it’s nice not to have my bedroom drawers overflowing with magazine rip outs!)
Great post Amanda
I just pinned your cake- with approp credit of course!
What a great point Heather… thank you so much for bringing up the big picture! I just adore you sweety! (and thank you so much for the pin!)
I am so glad you posted this. As an amateur baker/blogger, I’m finding it difficult to get my name out there, but Pinterest definitely helps! I also love what you said about it being inspiring. I definitely get inspired when I look over all of the pictures I’ve pinned, and I’m not only inspired by recipes and cake decorations, but by props too. I think Pinterest is really useful for beginning bakers/bloggers. There are so many creative ideas out there and I think it helps people create their own ideas.
I totally agree with you Elizabeth! Are you really sure you can call yourseld amateur anymore? You are such a talented baker!!!
Thanks for sharing! I also liked your thoughts on Food Blogging Etiquette, I’m always worried about using someone else’s recipe. I love your blog and all the recipes you make! Thanks!
Thank you so much!
I agree with everything you posted! I absolutely will not pin something without a source; I will hunt down the original or let it go. And I definitely wish people would keep their captions updated to their comments, not repin 4 removed. I know my old English teacher didn’t say, “This recipe is da bomb, bro!”.
I have also made separate boards for pins/recipes I have done. Whenever I have completed a project or recipe I update my comment with a review of the pin, changes I made, any info I feel is imperative, then move it from my “things to cook” to my “pins I’ve cooked” board. There are so many great ideas on pinterest, but so little reviews or proof that people have actually done them.
Which brings me to my last point. It drives me bonkers, I mean totally BONKERS, when people pin things that just aren’t true or don’t work. So many people repin ideas without clicking through so they can go back and read them later. But before running out and buying glow sticks, chlorine, baking soda and special order glitter, it takes 3 minutes to research if this really will turn into a glowing firefly jar or a big pile of goop and ground glass. If it seems physically impossible, it probably is, and then thousands of people throw away money on something that doesn’t work. Yes, I realize much of the blame lies with the initial blogger who fed the misinformation pile. But I kind of view it like spam mail or internet hoaxes; if you keep sharing it, it only gets worse. *Off my tirade now*
Thank you so much for your wonderful post, as always! I feel like true etiquette is so rare these days, and as the mother of 2 toddler girls I hope and pray the lessons I instill in them are also being taught to other children by their parents. It’s so refreshing to see a blogger who is wholesome, clean, Christian, and a classy lady just doing her best. Bless you!
Another great point… I had not thought of that!! Bless you for your kind words too girl.
I love Pinterests and had a number of boards until about a month ago. Then I got a little freaked by all the concern over ‘terms and conditions’ ( Pinterest could sell images you had pinned etc :/) all very complicated and I didn’t understand half of, anyway, I deleted all of my lovely boards until things had been sorted out, and I think ( I hope :/) they have, so yay!! pinning again
I always pin from the source
Pinning and looking at others pins just makes me happy inside 
I never write rude comments on pins I don’t like , I really don’t see the point. Some of the comments get very personnel and bitchy arguments break out, so not the point of pinterests.
I never ever pin from Google images! Such a lazy way to pin.
But most of all I have fun
I love your perspective Debbie!! I think you could have written this post!
Fabulous post Amanda! I am working on a Pinterest based post right now & Am happily taking tips form this post.
Cant wait to read it Marla! Knowing you I am going to learn lots!
I always click on a pin and find the source and open that pin in another tab. Then i pin it from there. That way I have a direct link to the item/recipe/inspiration and It gives credit where credit is due..I do not like source pins or just pics of a recipe. I want to recipe not just a good looking pic. I hope all the pinners out there read your post and get some pinning etiquette . thanks for all your great post. love the site. I subscribe via email and love checking my inbox for updates =)
OOps i meant *non sourced pins*
Thank you Stephanie! Sounds like you are kickin butt at Pinterest.
I love Pinterest. I consider it a way to visually sort my bookmarks. I like that there is etiquette and all but don’t really feel it pertains to me. For me, it’s a tool for organization. It is way easier for me to find something that I want to use later and a way to share it with my friends – the ones I actually know in real life!
I think thats awesome how you have personalized Pinterest to meet your needs!
Amanda, great post on Pinterest ettiquette! I don’t have an account (so if you are willing to send me an invite, I’d love that!), but have heard lots about citing issues… now I know when I am on Pinterest, I’ll pin right!
So well-said Amanda! Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts and experiences. Pinterest can be such muddy waters as everyone is figuring it out. And I love how you explained ‘self-pinning.’ There was such controversy over it there for a while but I agree completely with your thoughts behind it. Great post!
Great post, Amanda (like all of your posts!). I actually pinned your rose cookie tutorial this morning to my Easter board (http://pinterest.com/pin/86412886570328235). It did quite well–164 repins so far!
Great job Nadine! I am going to enjoy watching your boards grow!
Thanks Amanda–SO excited to have you following me!
Thanks for the tips Amanda. I’m a pinterest newbie, I have an account but haven’t pinned anything yet. But I do notice a lot of my own blog traffic comes froms this source. I’m wondering how much might be out there that isn’t tied back to the original source. Great idea to put a logo or reference on photos. I’ll have to figure out to do that.
Any idea if you can do it in Lightroom?
I think you can watermark in lightroom 3… but that is the newest version so I dont know if that helps?
Thank you for all of the great information. We too, will be pintrest newbie’s, so this helps immensely.
Cindy Sue
You are welcome Cindy Sue!
I am a pinterest addict. I wrote a huge post on Monday about things that I have seen that people have been doing wrong on pinterest. I wrote it because I love the service so much, and think it has done so much good, but don’t want it to be ruined by people making mistakes that they don’t know they are making. Loved this information that you shared!
Oh awesome Deborah! I am off to check out your post!
thanks for this informative post. i’ve only recently started using pinterest and the original source thing had been bugging me. now i will try to go to the original source and pin it if it’s not done so already. and i am going to find you on pinterest to follow!
Look forward to pinning with you!
GREAT “rules” (/ideas!) for pinterest! I do love love love pinterest – so much inspiration! I def agree that liking and commenting are just as important as repinning, especially if you want to make coool connections!
Thank Emily! I agree… I like making connections with cool people!
Great list of Pinterest ‘principles’! I love the power of social media, but agree that some precautions should be taken to use it to it’s fullest benefit! Thanks for sharing!
I really loved Pinterest until I read this article from a lawyer who made herself familiar with their user agreement. Apparently, ANYBODY can sue you for using their photo even if you give them credit by sourcing their photo. Unless you have explicit written consent from the author, if they sue you are not only responsible for your legal problems, but also for every last dime it costs Pinterest to go to court, too. Here’s one of the articles. If you don’t like links, just Google “Lawyer” and “Pinterest”. http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-03-13/tech/31158797_1_photo-copyright-google-image-search
Yes, I read that too Julianne. Wasnt it alarming? But, in an awesome turn of event, Pinterest updated their TOS!! I am much more comfortable being an avid pinner now!
Sorry I didn’t get this until now, but THANK GOODNESS!! Thank you for letting me know…I actually closed my account because of this and I’m missing it!! ;O)
i love this post and can say that i (personally) need to stop being so lazy and link back to the source when i have been hit by “pinspiration”. i all too often, link back to the pin, where it would be just as quick and easy, to link back to the original site. thanks for being amazing (still)!
Totally agree with you! Pinterest is a great tool for “viral” spreading of your own images and ideas, but if those don’t link back to your site and ultimately lead to more traffic, it is very frustrating. As everyone is still figuring out how to use Pinterest and completely enamored by it, it’s helpful to remind them that all content on the site comes from other sites. Great advice!
Thanks Beth! Your blog is so cute!!
Hi, Thanks for the very helpful info here. I have just started my blog and have so much to learn! I see I have made a few errors on my blog and on Pinterest with the way I have handled photo credits and re-pins. I hope I can sort out the boo-boo’s I have made -I certainly don’t want to upset anyone. Let me take this opportunity to officially apologize for being a dork. Is it acceptable to pin your blog images to your blogs Pinterest Profile? I have done this and the link, of course, says the source is my blog -yet on my blog the photos are credited to the original source. (If not, I am in the process of rectifing my errors) Am I stepping on toes here? This is really the only post I have found to guide us newbies on Pinterest and it has helped so much, thank you for sharing your knowledge! This is all a learning curve and I am already getting dizzy! Love your site, I will be a regular I reckon! x
That sounds fine to me Cathy… sounds like you are a very conscience pinner with a heart of gold!
Great post. I have yet to pin any of my own items but I have been considering doing a board of just my own food for a while now. I think a little self promotion is fine and it seems to be acceptable now than it was before. I have to agree with other comments about people just pinning to pin, they don’t check and see what’s up with the photo. I have also found reading the comments on the photos can be helpful as well, people will say, this doesn’t work or is no longer available etc. I have found that happening more and more with all those household do it yourself stuff. Many seem too good to be true and you will see in comments many are. I have been very careful to check anything I pin to be sure it goes back to the source, nothing makes me more crazy than to see something awesome and have it be a dead-end. I am happy that Pinterst recently changed their policy about right to the photos, I know many people have worked hard to get those changes made. I think they still have a ways to go but Pinterst seems to be eager to “do right” by the people using the site.
Super tips Kelly… you seem like you are doing everything exactly right!
I just found your site via Pinterest! =) (and have already pinned a few recipes…from their original page, or course!)
I haven’t read everyone’s comments, so this may have been mentioned, but I love to follow the guideline ‘one original pin for every five repins.’ At least, I try to get as close to this as possible. This way I am contributing to new, fresh material on Pinterest (albeit, in a tiny way!). We all love to repin, but sometimes you can only see the same cute, melting snowman cookie so many times! Especially when we know there are tons of other amazing cookie recipes out there.
I am excited to read through some of your older posts and become a regular follower! Happy Baking!
I have not heard that, but I like it Amber! So excited to meet you as well!
Great post! When I first joined Pinterest it didn’t occur to me that all the pins didn’t link back to their original sources. Now I’m going through to make sure links are updated or removing posts if I can figure out where they’re from. (Tumblr has become the bane of my existence!) Adding your website or logo to your images is a great idea!
Thanks Michelle! I know exactly what you mean about tumblr… its the WORST for finding sources! yay you for taking the time to go back and correct stuff, that is no easy task!
I am Pinterest-illiterate, but I would like to learn! May I please have an invite? If it can add to my business, it sounds like something I should get into
From what I’ve read, I believe Pinterest removed the “etiquette” provision regarding pinning your own work for copyright/legal purposes. The site has created some intellectual property issues and it seems like they are trying to find a way to ensure that they don’t get shut down or get users in trouble for copyright violations. We’ll see what happens because they are one of the fastest growing websites and I’m sure someone will be after them. I personally love Pinterest and hope they have some good attorneys on their side!
Awesome… thanks for that extra info Lisa!!!
I am new to pinterest and use it mostly as a way of organizing what I like. I don’t follow anyone, I think that is an option. I want to make sure that everything I pin is done properly. I would never intentionally take credit for something I copied. Please tell me how to make sure I give credit where it is needed. I did pin something from Martha Stewart and on my page it says “Pinned via pinmarklet”. Is this enough or should I be doing sonething else?
I do not comment much but, what a relevant and genuine post cheers !!! and long live the true and sincere pinster…. always pin up and onward…
Ha! Love that! Blessings to you too!
I decided with all the confusion regarding their Terms of Service Agreement that I would only pin from a website with Pin It Buttons or repin something from their own Pin Board. That way I’m not pinning something or someone who doesn’t want to be pinned.
I’m not on Pinterest, but I think I’d like to check it out. May I get an invite please?
So I have a question… I found this pin http://pinterest.com/pin/2392606022047960/ It’s one of your cakes and I’d really like to find the original post, but I can’t seem to find it. Can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Sure! http://iambaker.net/cake-challenge-wiltons-grass-tip Here it is. A great reminder why pinning from the post is so important. Many blessings Kiery!
I’m really glad you posted this. I agree with so much of what you’ve written. I get really frustrated by not pinning from original sources. When I see something I like on pinterest, be it a dress, a cake, a piece of furniture or anything, I often want to find out more about it. I find it so difficult to find out more when someone has pinned from a random tumblr account that doesn’t properly credit the original source.
You know I never gave much thought to how I Pinned before reading this. I would simply find something I liked, check to see if it took me to an actual article/page, then I’d Pin it. I’m now going to make sure to Pin responsibly and go back and check the Pins I currently have. Thanks for this.
I’d add that you need to make sure that the address you are pinning is from the individual post, not a whole page or the main blog. The older the pins are, the harder it is to find the original post. And that makes everyone grumpy.
I am at fault also for pinning without knowing what the standards are regarding pinning. I sorta feel ashamed because I’ve always liked and then pinned. What should I do, empty my albums and start over? I think a lot of people see things and then pin. Not sure how I should handle this except to pin linking to the original source. Everything on my blog is mine and mine only, but not on Pinterest. I do have one album with things I’ve baked, and a couple with pictures I’ve taken. All the rest are things I love or find exciting or pretty. Thanks for the info!!
I am of the opinion, “When you know better, you do better.” I love that you are going to just try and pin from the original source going forward… that is all anyone can ask! Be blessed today sweet Rosetta.
Great tips! My wife and I both use Pinterest, but we were just talking the other day about the ease of re-pinning and then an image getting “swiped” by a quick Google search. Adding a logo is a very good way to help avoid that.
Hi Amanda,
I am fairly new to Pinterest so it is great to read your article,very straight forward and immensely helpful for someone like me.Pinterest is like being in a sweet shop for me,hours and hours finding interesting people.I am a botanical illustrator so to see so many like minded people all over the world is great.Thankyou once again for going to the trouble of sharing your thoughts with everyone.