- Search by name on a computer
- Search by name in the app
- Search by email through messages
- Ways to find people, compared
- Connecting your Google or Apple account
- If you still can't find them
- Finding someone you already follow
- Searching your own saved Pins instead
- Searching by voice
- Finding a business or creator
- What to do once you've found them
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
To find someone on Pinterest, type their name into the search bar, press enter, then use the filter menu to switch the results to Profiles. If you know their email address, you can also start a new message and search for them by name or email from there.
Most people get stuck because a name search on Pinterest returns Pins, not people. The Profiles filter is the step that fixes that.
Here's how to do it on a computer and in the app, plus a couple of other routes when the person doesn't turn up.
Search by name on a computer
- Log in to pinterest.com and click the search bar at the top.
- Type the person's name or their Pinterest username and press enter.
- Click the filter icon on the left under the search bar.
- Choose Profiles as the content type.
- Click the right profile to open it.
Search by name in the app
- Open the Pinterest app and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Type the name and tap search on your keypad.
- Tap the filter icon by the search bar.
- Choose Profiles and tap Apply.
Pinterest's filter menu also offers All Pins, Boards, Videos and Products. When you choose one, your results only show that type, which is why Profiles is the one you want here.
Search by email through messages
If a name is too common, an email address is more precise. In the app, open your messages, tap the pencil icon at the top right and search for the person's name or email. If they're on Pinterest with that address, you can pick them and send a message straight away.
This only works if you already know the email they use for Pinterest. It's not a reverse lookup tool, and it's not meant to be. If they signed up with a work address and you've only got their personal one, you won't find them this way, so try their name as well.
Ways to find people, compared
| Method | What you need | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Search, then filter to Profiles | Their name or username | Computer and app |
| New message search | Their name or email | Messages, pencil icon |
| Connected Google or Apple account | A linked account | Login settings |
| Their profile link | A link they've shared | Anywhere they post it |
Connecting your Google or Apple account
Pinterest says logging in with a connected Google or Apple account can help you find friends, as well as making it easier to get back into your account. You can turn it on under Settings, Security, then Login options on a computer, or the same area in the app. Apple login is only available on iOS.
If you still can't find them
- Try their username instead of their real name. Plenty of people use a nickname or business name.
- Try variations: with and without spaces, or a first name plus the first letter of the surname.
- Ask them to share their profile link with you. It's the fastest route by far.
- If it's a business, search the brand name and filter to Profiles.
- They might not be on Pinterest, or they might be using a different name from the one you know.
Finding someone you already follow
If you've followed someone before and lost track of them, you don't need to search at all. Go to your own profile and open the list of people you follow. It's often quicker than guessing how they spell their username, especially for accounts with similar names.
Searching your own saved Pins instead
Sometimes what you're after isn't a person but a Pin you saved from them. Pinterest lets you search your saved Pins too: click or tap the search bar and type your search terms. If you remember roughly what the Pin showed, that can get you back to the creator faster than trying to recall their name. Open the Pin, tap their name, and you're on their profile.
Searching by voice
In the app, you can tap the microphone icon and say what you're looking for. Pinterest notes that voice search is currently only available in the US, and your language settings must be set to English. It works for names too, though for unusual spellings, typing is more reliable.
Finding a business or creator
For brands and creators, the profile is usually easy to find under the business name. If you've seen one of their Pins, open it and tap their name or picture to go straight to the profile. That's quicker than searching, and you know you've got the right account.
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What to do once you've found them
From their profile you can follow them, look through their boards and send a message. If you're reaching out to someone you don't know, keep it short and say why you're messaging. Pinterest lets people choose whether messages land in their inbox or in requests, so a new contact might not see yours straight away.
If you're on the other side and someone's bothering you, you can block someone on Pinterest. And if you'd like to keep some of your own boards out of sight, here's how to make a secret board.
My advice
Search the name, then filter to Profiles: that's the step nobody tells you about. If the name's common, use the email search in messages or simply ask for their profile link. And if you're a business that wants to be found, use your brand name as your profile name so people searching for you land on the right account first time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I search for a person on Pinterest?
Type their name in the search bar, press enter, then use the filter menu to choose Profiles so only accounts show.
Can I find someone on Pinterest by email?
Yes, in messages. Tap the pencil icon at the top right of your messages and search for a name or email.
Why does Pinterest only show Pins when I search a name?
Search results show Pins by default. Use the content type filter and choose Profiles to see people instead.
Does connecting Google help me find friends on Pinterest?
Pinterest says a connected Google or Apple account can help you find friends and recover your account.
What if someone isn't showing up on Pinterest?
Try their username or business name, try spelling variations, or ask them to send you their profile link.
