Pinterest is one of the fastest growing platforms for content search and inspiration. With millions of users and businesses using the platform to create brand awareness and sell, it is safe to say that many users are trying to find a way to grow their accounts rapidly. Among the techniques, there are some effective Follow-Unfollow strategies which are quite common but considerably risky. Such techniques promise an automated system of follow and unfollow other users making it easier to gain followers. This is appealing for marketers and influencers looking for rapid account growth.
Despite these tools having advantages, the risks are overwhelming. Most users are left with suspended accounts if tools are used incorrectly and automatically. In this blog we will identify the obvious reasons why Follow/Unfollow tools are banned on Pinterest and which ones we should steer clear from, in addition to how to grow your account in a safe and authentic way.
What Are Pinterest Follow/Unfollow Tools?
There are programs and services out there today such as Follow/Unfollow tools that permit people to add or remove followers on their Pinterest accounts at the click of a button. The principle of these tools consists of indiscriminately following a multitude of users hoping a few of them will follow back. After achieving the desired number of followings, the tool releases those accounts that were followed after the user was earned.
Having such a tool may look appealing, but using them really does put one’s account in danger of being suspended due to breach of service. Organic growth along with natural engagement is indeed what Pinterest hopes for and firmly discourages using automated systems whose goal is to increase users’ follower lists, especially if the bots are not performing any engagement.
Why Pinterest Doesn’t Allow Follow-Unfollow Features
The guidelines and terms of services provided by Pinterest are important just like any other social media platform. Their aim is to foster a social culture where users can interact, share ideas and content, and get to learn new things. The use of automating tools operates counter to this experience and considerably lowers the quality of the platform for various reasons:
1. Fake Engagement
Follow or unfollow tools contribute to fake engagement by boosting follower count without regard for interaction. This practice results in users with huge followings but very little actual interaction. Pinterest believes that users should have a personal relationship with each other and is in favor of engaging with others in a natural way instead of through automated processes.
2. Breach of Pinterest’s Terms of Service
The use of any third party automation tool to mass follow or unfollow accounts is a direct breach of the terms of service for Pinterest. As stated in the guidelines, the use of such tools can result in penalties such as temporary/permanent account suspension. There are specific rules against the use of tool that stimulate engagement or attempt to breach the system.
3. Unfavorable User Experience
A number of users have complained of having negative experiences on platforms where the Follow / Unfollow strategies were used against them. For some users, it was an experience where they were bombarded with posts from random users or a situation where they followed someone only to be quickly unfollowed by the same person. This results in a negative experience for the users and Pinterest seeks to eliminate this type of behavior that resembles spam.
4. Risks over Account Integrity And Reputation
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Employing Follow / Unfollow features frequently results in some questionable activities on your account. Pinterest has sophisticated technology that track unusual conduct of following and unfollowing of accounts en mass. Such activities are known to be done mechanically. The account may therefore attract an automated review and at worst be permanently banned from Pinterest.
The Most Popular Follow/Unfollow Tools that should be avoided
There are Follow/Unfollow tools that Pinterest users may have used before in a bid to grow their accounts. Some of these tools might still be available today, but their use is strongly opposed. The tools given below should not be used:
1. PinPinterest
PinPinterest is an automated tool that enables users to follow and unfollow other Pinterest users effortlessly. It works by automating all actions that a user performs on their Pinterest account, which in this case is seeking afollowers through mimicking human behavior. This violates Pinterest’s terms of service and can lead to account bans.
2. Viral Pinner
ViralPinner has been known to assist users in automating the actions of following and unfollowing users on Pinterest. Although this may lead to a temporary inflation of follower count, it is against the Pinterest guidelines, which in turn makes it dangerous for an account in terms of getting suspended.
3. PinterestBot
Pinterestbot is another automation tool that was consumed by some marketers for the purpose of expanding their Pinterest accounts. This, however, can get your account flagged for dubious activities and cut the growth potential due to penalties or account suspension.
4. SocialSteeze
SocialSteeze provides automated services for managing appropriated Pinterest accounts like auto follower and unfollower. though at first this convenience may appear appealing, on Pinterest, this could ultimately result in your account getting permanently deleted. This is especially true when you are overusing or misusing the service.
5. FollowLiker
FollowLiker is- one of the oldest and most renowned of the follower booster services. These tools are compatible with many social media like Pinterest. Typically, FollowLiker operates on follow/unfollow, repin, and like models but these can also inadvertently infringe on Pinterest’s terms and policies. If this happens, your account’s existence could be jeopardized.
How Pinterest Detects Follow-Unfollow Tools
Pinterest has had these advanced algorithms in place for long now: they can effortlessly tell when something is spam or automated on the platform. Their systems are designed to consider different patterns of behavior like:
Mass Following/Unfollowing: Accounts that follow hundreds, or thousands, of users in a short amount of time are most likely making use of these Following and Unfollowing tools. This activity is not and will be flagged and identified by Pinterest.
Abnormal Pinning Activity: When you begin pinning too many pictures in succession, or from questionable sources, this activity can raise eyebrows with Pinterest.
Frequent Unfollowing: This tool is very blatant in its unfollowing approach. An account that follows a sizable number of users but unfollows them shortly afterward will get flagged as suspicious activity by Pinterest.
Decreased Engagement: Accounts that utilize automation tools often have little to no engagement with other users. If your account displays a small number of repins, comments, or likes, this may appear unfair to Pinterest’s algorithms.
What Will Happen If You Are Caught Using Tools Like Follow-Unfollow?
Consequences are harsh if Pinterest catches you using Follow/Unfollow tools. These include:
1. Suspended Temporarily
Your Pinterest account can be suspended temporarily if post activity is flagged as abnormal. This means you can’t follow/unfollow other users, and your activity on the platform is limited. Once the suspension is over, you’ll be able to operate Pinterest normally, but this won’t be the case if you repeatedly violate any rules. You’ll face longer suspension periods.
2. Banned Account Permanently
If you have broken multiple rules in using Pinterest policies and automation tools, you may find your account banned forever. In a practical sense, this means losing everything. All your followers, boards, and pins will be gone. Building a new legitimate account can require immense resources and time, and it pains me to say, a new account is all you are left with.
3. Damaged Credibility
Even if your account is not instantly deleted, it is possible for your reputation to suffer due to the Follow/Unfollow tools on Pinterest. There is a high possibility that some users may spot your behavior and regard it as spam and as a result, unfollow or report your account.
How to Grow Your Pinterest Account Organically
Pinterest accounts can be grown without the usage of Follow/Unfollow tools through the use of other safer organic methods. These include:
Create High Quality Content
People tend to follow accounts that provide inspiring, useful and educational content. As a result, make sure that your pins are visually captivating, informative, and accompanied by relevant keywords.
Engage With Your Audience
Building genuine connections will allow you to organically grow your account. Make it a habit to reply to comments on your pins, repin content from other users, and follow accounts that are similar to yours.
Consistency is Key
One of the simplest ways of increasing the audience of your pins is by posting consistently and at the time that the audience is available. With time, your pins will become more visible to a broad audience.
Use Pinterest SEO
In order to enhance the visibility of your pins during search results, including relevant keywords to your boards and profile is essential. Additionally, specific niches tend to be more popular than others so make it a point to incorporate those into your post.
5. Other Users should be Tapped into
Participate in group boards and work with other Pinterest users. This will help you connect with new potential audiences, as well as increase your chances of your pins being repined.
6. Run Ads on Pinterest
Whenever feasible, invest in advertising on Pinterest to promote your content and target other users. Pinterest ads can be very effective in reaching specific targets and in increasing interactions of your pins.
Closing Speech
If it is tempting to use Follow-Unfollow measures to grow on Pinterest, the risk is far too profound. Using automated tools to superficially increase engagement in an effort to gain followers is also against the terms and conditions. The service that will be rendered will inevitably lead to account bans, moderate penalties, or phishing. It is safe to say that one should focus their efforts in building their Pinterest profile from scratch by following traditional methods such as engaging with the audience, good content creation, and frequent posting – without the need of taking any additional risks. By employing these methods, you will ensure personal and professional account safety while having the engagement you desire.
