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If you’re a blogger or a small store or an Etsy store owner, then you are probably using Pinterest to drive traffic to your blog or website.
We all know that Pinterest has been making some pretty big changes recently.
You might have noticed something strange lately—some pins no longer show the “Visit Site” button.
Instead, it’s hidden behind the three-dot menu, making it harder for users to click through to your content.
This change has caught many bloggers, marketers, and business owners off guard.
If Pinterest traffic is a key part of your strategy, this update could seriously impact your results.
One of my new pins does not have the visit site button, which is frustrating, but now I know not to post lone stock images.
After digging into this issue, I’ve put together everything you need to know:
- What’s happening?
- Why is Pinterest making this change?
- How does Pinterest define a “quality” website?
- What you can do to keep your traffic flowing
Let’s break it down.
What’s Happening?
Recently, Pinterest has started hiding the “Visit Site” button on certain pins, requiring users to click the three-dot menu to find the link.
This isn’t happening to all pins, just some.
At first glance, this seems like a small UI tweak, but in reality, it could dramatically reduce click-through rates (CTR).
I haven’t found that it is specifically affecting any of my pins, but I have noticed my click-through rate has been going down.
If users don’t see an obvious way to visit your site, they might just scroll past your pin, even if they’re interested in your content.
Making things as easy as possible is how people get to your site and also stay on your site.
Why Is This a Problem?
- Fewer clicks = Less traffic to your blog or website.
- Lower engagement = Pinterest may rank your pins lower over time.
- Potential revenue loss if you rely on Pinterest for affiliate sales, ad revenue, or lead generation.
This change isn’t affecting everyone yet, but it’s a sign of where Pinterest is heading.
Why Is Pinterest Doing This?
Pinterest has always been a visual search engine, not just a social media platform.
And like Google, it’s becoming more selective about the content it promotes.
From what I’ve gathered, Pinterest is prioritizing high-quality websites.
If your site doesn’t meet certain standards, Pinterest may hide the direct link to discourage low-quality or spammy content.
How Does Pinterest Define a “Quality” Website?
Pinterest hasn’t released an official checklist, but based on user reports and testing, here’s what likely matters:
1. Content Relevance
- Does the pin accurately represent the content on your website?
- Are you using misleading thumbnails or headlines (clickbait)?
- Does the pin’s description match the page it links to?
Pinterest wants users to have a good experience.
If they click through and immediately bounce because the content doesn’t match, Pinterest will penalize that pin.
2. Technical Performance
- Page load speed – Slow sites frustrate users.
- Broken links – If your page is down or redirects incorrectly, Pinterest may hide your link.
- Excessive redirects – If your link goes through multiple hops before landing on the final page, Pinterest may see this as spammy.
You may remember I had a video on Youtube about how I kept having broken links on my website because my host kept crashing my website.
That tanked a lot of my views. Luckily, now I am starting to recover.
3. Original Content
- Are you using unique images (not just stock photos)?
- Is your content original and valuable, or is it thin/duplicate content?
Pinterest favours fresh, original pins over recycled or overly promotional content.
4. User Experience (UX)
- Mobile-friendliness – Most Pinterest users are on mobile. If your site isn’t optimized, Pinterest may deprioritize it.
- Intrusive ads or pop-ups – Too many aggressive ads can hurt your ranking.
- Readability & Navigation – Is your site easy to browse, or is it cluttered?
What You Can Do to Protect Your Traffic
If Pinterest is hiding your “Visit Site” button, don’t panic. Here’s how to fix it and keep your traffic strong:
1. Audit Your Website’s Quality
- Check page speed (use Google PageSpeed Insights).
- Fix broken links (try Dead Link Checker).
- Remove excessive pop-ups (if they’re hurting UX).
- Make your images on your website smaller (use Shortpixel)
2. Ensure Pin-to-Page Relevance
- Match your pin’s image & description to the linked content.
- Avoid clickbait—if users bounce quickly, Pinterest will penalize you.
3. Improve Your Pinterest SEO
- Use keywords in pin titles and descriptions.
- Optimize pin images (clear, high-quality, text overlay if needed).
- Pin consistently to stay active in the algorithm.
4. Test Different Link Placements
Since the direct “Visit Site” button may disappear, encourage clicks in other ways:
- Add “Click the link in the menu” in your pin description.
- Direct users to your profile link (if your website is in your bio).
5. Monitor Your Pins
- Check if your “Visit Site” button is hidden on any pins.
- If it is, review that linked page for quality issues.
Final Thoughts: Is This a Bad Thing?
At first glance, this update seems frustrating—why would Pinterest make it harder to drive traffic?
But in the long run, this could actually benefit bloggers and creators who focus on quality.
If Pinterest weeds out spammy or low-effort content, your high-quality pins may get more visibility.
Key Takeaways:
? Pinterest is prioritizing high-quality websites (like Google does).
? If your “Visit Site” button is hidden, check your website’s relevance, speed, and UX.
? Optimize your pins for clarity and accuracy to avoid penalties.
? Adapt by guiding users to click through even if the button is hidden.
Drop a comment below if you’ve seen the “Visit Site” button disappear on your pins—what did you do to fix it?
Stay proactive, keep optimizing, and don’t let this update slow down your traffic!
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