How does the Pinterest safe overlay work?
Pinterest is a visual discovery engine where users come to find inspiration and plan future projects. Standard video ads appear in the home feed (the "waterfall") or search results. Because Pinterest uses a dynamic masonry layout, vertical videos (9:16 or 2:3) are the most effective at capturing attention as they literally take up more vertical space on the user's screen than square or landscape pins.
Pinterest safe-overlay best practices
- Target the "Golden" 2:3 Ratio: While 9:16 is supported, the 2:3 ratio is considered the industry standard for Pinterest. It fits perfectly within the feed without any system-side cropping or padding.
- Top-Heavy Composition: Users scan the Pinterest waterfall from top to bottom. Place your primary hook, brand logo, or product close-up in the upper 40% of the frame to capture interest before the user scrolls past.
- The "Save" Button Safety Zone: Pinterest anchors the red "Save" button and pinner information at the bottom of the card. Keep your internal Call-to-Action (CTA) and any legal disclaimers clear of the bottom 25%.
- High-Contrast Text Overlays: Pinterest is often used in high-brightness environments (like outdoors or in bright retail spaces). Ensure your text has high contrast or a solid backing to remain legible.
Designing for the "Dreamer" Mindset
Pinterest users are in a "planning" mindset rather than a "scrolling" mindset. To use your safe overlays effectively:
- Aesthetic First: Your creative should look like it belongs in an inspiration board. Avoid "loud" or "distracting" TikTok-style edits. Use your safe overlays to display clean, beautiful typography.
- Step-by-Step Clarity: If your video is a tutorial, ensure the "Action" is centered in the safe area so the pinner doesn't miss a step because a UI button was in the way.
- Contextual Branding: Place your logo in the top right "Safe Overlay." This is a standard convention on Pinterest that users expect and find non-intrusive.
The Waterfall Feed Dynamics
The Pinterest feed is unique because it isn't a single column.
- Competing Pins: Your ad will be surrounded by 2-3 other organic pins. Use bold colors or strong vertical lines within your safe overlays to "wall off" your content from the competition.
- Search Result Layouts: In search results, Pinterest sometimes applies subtle rounding to the corners of your video. Maintain a 5% "Comfort Margin" on all sides to avoid having your text clipped.
Pinterest SEO & Safe Overlays
Pinterest is as much a search engine as it is a social network.
- Text on Image: Pinterest's AI "reads" the text on your video to help categorize it in search. Keeping your text clear of UI overlays ensures the Pinterest crawler can accurately index your content.
- Accessibility: Use large, clear fonts (24px+) for your on-screen captions to ensure accessibility for all users, including those on older mobile devices with lower resolution screens.
Technical Specifications for Pinterest Video
- Aspect Ratio: 2:3 (1000 x 1500) or 9:16 (1080 x 1920).
- Max File Size: 2GB.
- Video Length: 4 seconds to 15 minutes. For most advertisers, 6-15 seconds is the optimal length for the home feed.
- Codec: H.264 or H.265.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ratio for Pinterest? A 2:3 ratio is often considered the "sweet spot" for Pinterest as it fits perfectly within the masonry grid without any system-side cropping, while 9:16 is better for immersive, full-screen storytelling.
Are Pins cropped? Pinterest generally displays the full height of a 2:3 or 9:16 Pin in the feed. However, some search result layouts might apply subtle cropping to the sides on specific mobile devices. Using our 5% safe overlay margin ensures you are 100% safe.