How to Message Someone on Pinterest (and Control Who Messages You)

Pinterest messaging is simple, but a few parts aren't obvious: replies to a shared Pin open their own thread, hidden chats come back when you message again, and the other person's settings decide whether your message reaches their inbox or a requests folder.

Here's how it all works, from Pinterest's help centre.

Sending a message on a computer

1. Log in and click the messages icon.
2. Click the compose icon at the top right.
3. Search your contacts and select up to 10 people.
4. Write your message in the box that says Send a message.
5. Click the airplane icon to send.

While you're writing, the plus icon lets you search for ideas to send, and the heart icon lets you react to someone's message.

Sending a message in the app

1. Open the Pinterest app and go to your messages.
2. Tap the pencil icon at the top right to search for a name or email.
3. Select the person and tap Next.
4. Write your message and tap Send.

In a conversation, you can also tap the plus icon to find Pins to share, or tap the heart at the bottom right to send a heart.

Replying to a Pin someone shared

When a Pin, board or bit of text is shared in a message, you can reply to that specific item. Pinterest opens a separate replies thread, so the conversation about that Pin stays in one place.

This only works on a phone or tablet. Open the message, tap and hold the Pin and choose Reply (or tap the reply icon beside it), then type and send.

Hiding and deleting messages

What you want	How
Hide a conversation	Open it, tap or click the ellipsis icon at the top right, choose Hide conversation
Bring a hidden chat back	Go to the person's profile, select Message and send a new message
Delete one message on a computer	Click the ellipsis icon next to it and choose Delete
Delete one message on a phone	Press and hold the message, then tap Delete

Hiding is handy for tidying an inbox full of old chats. Notice that hiding isn't the same as deleting. A hidden conversation reappears in your inbox as soon as a new message is sent, so don't rely on it to make a chat disappear for good.

Choosing who can message you

Pinterest sorts the people who might contact you into groups, such as followers, collaborators and the people you follow. For each group, you choose one of three settings:

• Inbox: their messages come straight to you.
• Requests: you can accept or deny their messages.
• Don't deliver: you won't receive messages from them at all.

On a computer, click the more-options icon at the bottom left, then Settings, Social permissions, and under Messages click Edit next to the group you want to change, pick a setting and click Save. In the app, tap your profile picture, then your profile photo at the top left, then Social permissions and Message settings. On a business account, settings are under the ellipsis icon at the top right of your profile.

Sending a Pin, board or profile in a message

Messages aren't only for text. From inside a conversation, tap the plus icon to search for Pins and send them. Pinterest also lets you share Pins, boards and profiles in a message from the item itself, which is often easier when you're already looking at the thing you want to send. Whoever receives it can open the Pin or board directly, and either of you can start a replies thread about it.

Teen accounts

If you're a teen, Pinterest limits how you can send and receive messages. Pinterest says these settings adjust as you get older to allow contact with more people, and anyone can make their own settings stricter.

If your message isn't getting a reply

Remember the settings above work both ways. If you're messaging someone who doesn't follow you, your message might be sitting in their requests rather than their inbox, or it might not be delivered at all. That's not something you can see from your side.

If it's a business you're trying to reach, a Pinterest message is rarely the quickest route. Most brands list a website on their profile, and their contact page will get a faster answer. For creators you'd like to work with, a short, specific message about one of their Pins tends to land better than a generic hello, because it shows you've looked at their work.

Using messages for your business

Messages are handy for sending a client a board of ideas or a Pin you think they'll like, and the replies thread keeps feedback on each Pin tidy. If you collect ideas for clients, a secret board on Pinterest keeps them out of public view while you discuss them. And if someone's using messages to pester you, you can block them on Pinterest.

My advice

Set your message settings before you need them: Inbox for people you follow, Requests for everyone else is a sensible start. When you message someone new, keep it short and say why. And use the reply-to-a-Pin thread when you're discussing ideas, because it stops a long chat turning into a scroll-fest.

Frequently asked questions

How do I send a message on Pinterest?

Open your messages, select the compose or pencil icon, search for the person by name or email, write your message and send it.

How many people can I message at once on Pinterest?

On a computer, you can search your contacts and select up to 10 people for one message.

How do I delete a message on Pinterest?

On a computer, click the ellipsis icon next to the message and select Delete. On a phone, press and hold the message, then tap Delete.

How do I unhide a conversation on Pinterest?

Visit the person's profile, select Message and send a new message. The conversation will reappear in your inbox.

Can I stop people messaging me on Pinterest?

Yes. In Social permissions, set each group of people to Inbox, Requests or Don't deliver.