Ever felt like your Pinterest pin's description has disappeared, or perhaps you're struggling to find where it went? You're not alone, and it's an issue that can be easily resolved. Let's delve into this common Pinterest predicament and help you find your missing description.
Pinterest, as a visual bookmarking tool, emphasizes images and keywords over text. However, descriptions are crucial as they help users and Pinterest algorithm understand and categorize your pin. So, if your description has gone MIA, don't panic. Let's figure out where it might have gone.
Checking Your Pin's Source
When you create a pin, Pinterest pulls in the title and description from the original source – the URL. So, the first place to look is the website where your pin's image originated from.
Hop onto that website, where you should find the title and description in the meta tags. If the description is absent or incorrect, add or alter it, and the changes will reflect on your pin after Pinterest crawls the website again. You can also use a tool like the Open Graph Scanner to check and edit your meta tags.
Lack of Meta Description
A common reason for missing descriptions is that the website didn't provide one. Websites often use meta tags to provide Pinterest with pin descriptions. But if they don't, Pinterest might struggle to fill in the blank, leading to a missing description.
In such cases, you might need to manually add a description. To do this, click 'Edit' on your pin, and then enter a description in the text field provided. This will update your pin's description, even when it syncs with the source website.
Inaccurate or Incorrect Meta Description
Sometimes, the culprit isn't an absent meta description but rather an inaccurate or incorrect one. If Pinterest pulls in the wrong description, you'll end up with a pin that's mislabeled or misunderstood.
You can rectify this by editing your pin and entering the correct description. Alternatively, you can update the meta tag on the source site, which will update your pin's description after Pinterest crawls the site again. Use tools like the Google's Structured Data Testing Tool to check and edit your meta tags.
Manual Pin Creation and Editing
What if you created your pin manually, without pulling in data from a URL? If you're missing the description, you can easily add it. Here's how:
1. Click on the pin to open it. 2. Click 'Edit' just below your pin. 3. Type your description in the 'Say something about this' field. 4. Click 'Publish'.
Typography and Readability
Bear in mind that Pinterest displays only 50 characters of the description on a pin's closeup view. To convey your message effectively, make sure your description is concise and clear. If you need to provide more information, you can add it to the pin's alt text, which is accessible when the pin is clicked open.
To update the alt text, follow these steps: 1. Click on the pin to open it. 2. Click on 'Accessibility'. 3. Type your detailed description in the 'Alt text' field. 4. Click 'Save changes'.
Remember, Pinterest is a search engine, so always use keywords in your descriptions to make your pin more discoverable. Keep your descriptions clear, concise, and keyword-rich for the best results.
With these tips, you should be able to troubleshoot your missing or inaccurate pin descriptions with ease. Now go forth, and happy pinning!