Pinterest Got Rid of Creator Rewards Program...

But I'm Still Making Money- Here's How

If you've been around Pinterest lately, you probably heard the news.

The Creator Rewards program? Gone. Poof. Bye.

And honestly? That shook a lot of us for a second. We were finally getting paid to post beautiful pins, and then just like that-it was over.

But here's the thing...

I'm still making money on Pinterest.

Not because I'm an influencer.

Not because I have a million followers.

But because I learned how to use Pinterest the cozy way and now, I use it as a powerful traffic tool that fuels my entire content creation business.

First: Let's get Real About What Changed

The Creator Rewards program was a Pinterest-run initiative that paid select creators to complete "goals" like posting a certain number of pins or getting engagement. But it wasn't available to everyone, and even when it was... it wasn't always reliable.

So, when it disappeared, It reminded me that

We don't need a platform to pay us directly when we can build our own income stream through the platform

That's where the cozy magic comes in.

I Use Pinterest as a Search Engine Not Just a Social Platform

Most people treat Pinterest like it's just another social media app. But it's not. Pinterest is a visual search engine. Which means...if you create pins that solve problems, inspire, or share value, people will search for them and click through to your blog, your products, your affiliate links, and more.

That's where the money is and here's how I do it.

I Link Every Pin to Something That Pays Me

I'm super intentional about where my pins lead. Some to go blog post with affiliate links. Some go to my digital product shop. Some lead to free resources that help grow my email list (which helps me sell more later on). Some even go straight to Amazon and other affiliate links where I share my cozy creator finds.

The pin isn't the money-maker. The link behind it is.

I Brand My Pins to Match My Vibe

If you've seen my pins, you know the vibe: soft pastels, cozy unicorns, dreamy anime touches, a sprinkle of sparkle.

Why? Because Pinterest is visual. If you pin looks like your brand, it builds trust instantly. People start recognizing your content, clicking more often, and following the trail back to your site or shop.

I Use SEO- Driven Pin titles + Descriptions

This is the cozy creator secret sauce.

I research keywords for every post I write and turn those keywords into pin titles, descriptions, and alt text. Pinterest works just like Google- if your pin uses the right words, it shows up in searches. And that means more traffic, more clicks, and more income.

I Repurpose Content into Multiple Pins

One blog post? I make 3-5 pins for it.

One product? yep! Several pins with different styles and wording.

That means I'm not hustling to make new content constantly I'm just getting more eyes on what I already created.

I Pair It All with Affiliate Marketing

This is where it gets real cozy.

Pinterest is my top traffic driver for affiliate products.

Whether it's my pastel keyboard, my mic setup, or a digital planner I made myself. I create pins that link directly to the product (with my affiliate code), and those tiny clicks turn into commissions over time.

It's slow, steady, sustainable income. And I don't need a platform to "pay me" for it. I've built my own cozy paycheck stream, and Pinterest is the one delivering it.

Don't Rely on the Platform Build Through It

It sucked when the Creator Rewards program ended. I won't lie. But let's get real here. That was never the real goldmine.

The real value of Pinterest is in the long game.

It's in the blog post that still get traffic six months later.

It's the pins that keep getting repined over and over again.

It's in the quiet, powerful way Pinterest helps me grow my business not just my account.

So, if you're wondering whether it's "still worth it" to pin....

Bestie, it's more than worth it. It's working you just have to shift the way you think about it.

Pinterest doesn't need to pay me directly.....Because I've built a system where Pinterest sends people to my own cozy corner of the internet and that's where the magic (and income) happens.

Now go make those dreamy pins and build the brand that supports YOU.

With sparkle, strategy, and a whole lotta pastel power,

Uni