Quick answer: A Pinterest business account is free. Pinterest says it adds Pinterest Analytics, the Business Hub and the ability to run ads. When you convert a personal account, your Pins and followers stay the same, and you can switch back at any time. The main trade-off is privacy: business profiles are always public. Pinterest's Terms also say that if you use Pinterest for commercial purposes, you need a business account.
Every point in this guide comes from Pinterest's own Help Center, Terms of Service or business pages. We link each page next to what it supports.
What's the Difference Between a Pinterest Business and Personal Account?
| Personal account | Business account | Pinterest source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Get a business account |
| Pinterest Analytics | Not available | Available | Review Pinterest Analytics |
| Business Hub | Not available | Available | Get a business account |
| Ads | Not available | Available | Get a business account |
| Private profile | Possible | Not possible: business profiles are always public | Make your profile private or public |
| Commercial use | Pinterest's Terms require a business account for commercial use | Required for commercial use under Pinterest's Terms | Terms of Service |
| Pins and followers after switching | Kept | Kept | Get a business account |
What Does a Pinterest Business Account Add?
Pinterest says personal and business accounts "are similar", but business accounts include features for business owners and marketers.
Pinterest Analytics. Pinterest's Analytics article says: "To view Pinterest Analytics, you need to set up a business account." Analytics is where you see impressions, saves, Pin clicks and outbound clicks. Our guide to what impressions mean on Pinterest explains how to read them.
The Business Hub. Pinterest names the Business Hub as one of the business-account features on its Get a business account page.
Ads and catalogs. The same page says business accounts let advertisers and merchants create Idea ads, video ads, carousels, collections ads and product catalogs.
Creator tools. Pinterest's personal vs business account page also lists audience insights, the creator hub in the mobile app, and Pinterest Trends.
Pinterest's account comparison does not identify different basic Pin-saving or board-creation features. Pinterest also does not promise more organic reach when you switch to a business account. Convert for the documented business tools, not an assumed distribution boost.
Do You Need a Pinterest Business Account?
Pinterest's Terms of Service say: "If you want to use Pinterest for commercial purposes, you must create a business account and agree to our Business Terms of Service."
So if you use Pinterest to promote a shop, a blog, a service or a brand, Pinterest's Terms ask for a business account. If you only save ideas for yourself, a personal account is enough.
You also need a business account to see Pinterest Analytics. If the numbers matter to you, a personal account will not show them.
What Stays the Same When You Convert?
Pinterest's Get a business account page says: "Your Pins and followers will remain the same. You can switch back to a personal account at any time."
Two things can stop the conversion:
- A private profile. Business accounts are public, so Pinterest says a private personal account "must be switched to public in order to convert to a business account".
- A linked account. If your personal account is linked to another Pinterest account, Pinterest says you need to unlink it first.
How to Convert a Personal Account to a Business Account
Pinterest's steps on desktop:
- Log in to your personal Pinterest account.
- Open the menu at the bottom left of the screen and select Settings.
- Click Account management.
- Find Convert to a business account and click Convert account.
- Click Convert account again to confirm.
- Fill out Build your profile, then click Next.
- Fill out Describe your business, then click Next.
- Choose whether you want to run ads, then click Next.
- Choose where to start or open your converted business account.
In the app, tap your profile picture, tap your profile photo again at the top left, then tap Account management and Convert to a business account. Pinterest's app steps let you add a website URL or skip that step.
Pinterest says converting means you accept its Business Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Should You Convert or Create a New Business Account?
Pinterest offers both options.
Convert if the account already shares the kind of content you want to promote. Your Pins and followers come with you.
Create a new business account if you want to keep personal saving separate. Pinterest says the email you sign up with "must not already be in use on an existing Pinterest account". It also says new business accounts can only be created on desktop at this time.
Pinterest no longer lets you link a personal account to a business account. You can still connect accounts with different emails and switch between them in the same browser session.
How to Switch a Business Account Back to Personal
Pinterest's Convert a business account to a personal account page gives these desktop steps:
- Log in to your Pinterest business account.
- Open the menu at the top right and click Settings.
- Select Account management.
- Scroll down to Account changes and click Convert account.
In the app, go to Account management and tap Convert to personal account. Pinterest says you need to pay any outstanding bills before you can convert. After you switch back, you lose the analytics tools and ad access that came with the business account.
Business Account and Your Website
Pinterest recommends a business account if you want to claim your website, though it says it is not required. Claiming connects Pins saved from your site to your profile. Pinterest says you need to own the domain and be able to edit its code, so most marketplace shops, including Etsy shops, cannot be claimed. Our Pinterest for Etsy guide covers what that means for sellers.
Using a Business Account With PinEasy
PinEasy can read organic Pin metrics directly from Pinterest when you connect a Pinterest business account.
If you have a personal account, convert it to a business account first. Then create a free PinEasy account and connect your Pinterest business account to access the available organic performance data.
If Pinterest Analytics still looks empty after you convert, our Pinterest Analytics troubleshooting guide walks through the checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Pinterest business account free?
Yes. Pinterest's Get a business account page describes it as a free business account. Ads cost money only if you choose to run them.
Will I lose my Pins or followers if I switch to a business account?
No. Pinterest says your Pins and followers remain the same when you convert a personal account to a business account.
Can I switch my Pinterest business account back to personal?
Yes. Pinterest says you can switch back at any time from Account management. You need to pay any outstanding bills first.
Can a Pinterest business account be private?
No. Pinterest says business profiles are always public. To make your profile private, you need to change it to a personal account.
Do I need a business account to see Pinterest Analytics?
Yes. Pinterest's Analytics article says: "To view Pinterest Analytics, you need to set up a business account."
Does a Pinterest business account get more reach?
Pinterest does not document an automatic organic reach increase from switching to a business account. Its documented business-account features include Analytics, the Business Hub, advertising and related business tools.
Sources
- Pinterest Business Help: Get a business account
- Pinterest Help: Convert a business account to a personal account
- Pinterest Help: Make your profile private or public
- Pinterest Business Help: Review Pinterest Analytics
- Pinterest Help: Connect Pinterest accounts
- Pinterest Business Help: Claim your website
- Pinterest Create: Pinterest Business Account vs. Personal Account
- Pinterest Terms of Service
Sources checked October 19, 2026.