In today’s digital world, creating and organizing our online presence is essential. Pinterest, a popular visual discovery platform, provides users with a versatile tool to curate and share their interests. However, for those seeking a level of privacy, the option to create secret boards can be invaluable. These boards offer a secluded space within your Pinterest account, allowing you to save and organize pins discreetly, without the intrusion of others’ views or comments.
Creating a private board on Pinterest is a simple process that takes just a few steps. First, sign into your Pinterest account and click on the “Boards” tab. Then, click on the “Create Board” button and give your board a name and description. When prompted to select the board’s visibility, choose “Keep it secret” from the drop-down menu. Once you click “Create,” your private board will be instantly generated.
The power of private boards extends beyond just safeguarding your personal interests. They offer an ideal platform for collaboration and idea sharing within closed groups. For example, you can create a private board with your team to brainstorm project ideas or collect inspiration for upcoming campaigns. Additionally, private boards can serve as a repository for confidential information or sensitive documents that you wish to keep hidden from the public eye.
Understanding Private Boards
Private boards are a fantastic way to keep your pins hidden from the public eye. They’re perfect for organizing your thoughts, plans, or anything else you don’t want others to see. To create a private board, simply click on the “Create Board” button and select “Private” from the drop-down menu. You can also make an existing board private by going to the board’s settings and changing the visibility to “Private.”
Only you and the people you invite can see your private boards. To invite someone to a private board, click on the “Invite” button and enter their email address or Pinterest username. You can also control who can add pins to your private boards. By default, only you can add pins, but you can change this setting to allow others to contribute.
Private boards are a great way to keep your ideas organized and free from prying eyes. They’re perfect for:
- Collecting ideas for a project
- Planning a party or event
- Organizing your thoughts on a particular topic
- Keeping track of your favorite recipes
- Storing ideas for future blog posts
| Visibility | Who can add pins | Who can see the board |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Only you | Only you and the people you invite |
Customizing Board Settings
Board Privacy Settings
Determine who can view and contribute to your board by adjusting the privacy settings. Choose from these options:
| Privacy Level | Who Can View | Who Can Pin |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Anyone on Pinterest | Only collaborators |
| Secret | Only people you invite | Only you and collaborators |
Collaborators and Permissions
Invite others to collaborate on your board by granting them specific permissions. When you add collaborators:
- Choose their permission level: Owner, Editor, or Pin Contributor.
- Set their ability to invite others or change board settings.
- Determine whether they can add or remove pins from the board.
Additional Customization Options
Further customize your board’s appearance and functionality with these options:
- Board Description: Add a description to provide context and details about the board’s content.
- Board Cover: Select an image to represent your board on both Pinterest and the board’s homepage.
- Board Sections (Optional): Create sections within your board to organize pins thematically. Sections can have their own covers and descriptions.
- Board Layout: Choose from different layout options to display your pins, such as grid, list, or masonry view.
Inviting Collaborators
Once you have created a private board, you can invite others to contribute to it. To do this:
1. Click on the “Invite” button in the top right corner of the board.
2. Enter the email addresses or Pinterest usernames of the people you want to invite.
3. Click on the “Send” button.
Permission Levels
When you invite someone to collaborate on a private board, you can choose to give them either “Editor” or “Viewer” permissions. Editors can add, edit, and delete pins, while Viewers can only view the pins on the board. You can change the permission level for a collaborator at any time by clicking on the “Edit” button next to their name in the “Collaborators” section of the board’s settings.
Managing Collaborators
You can manage the collaborators on a private board by clicking on the “Collaborators” section of the board’s settings. Here, you can see a list of all the collaborators on the board, as well as their permission levels. You can also remove collaborators from the board by clicking on the “Remove” button next to their name.
Collaborator Roles
There are two levels of collaborators:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Editor | Can add, edit, and delete pins |
| Viewer | Can only view the pins on the board |
Unrestrict Access
This option allows anyone with the link to access the board. They can view the pins, but not make any changes. To do this, click the “Unrestrict” button next to the “Who can see this board” setting.
Invite Collaborators
If you want to allow specific people to help you manage the board, you can invite them as collaborators. To do this, click the “Invite” button next to the “Collaborators” setting. Enter the email addresses of the people you want to invite, and click the “Send” button.
Restrict Access to Specific People
If you only want a specific group of people to be able to access the board, you can restrict access to specific people. To do this, click the “Restrict” button next to the “Who can see this board” setting. Then, enter the email addresses of the people you want to give access to, and click the “Save” button.
Only Me
This option makes the board private to you. Only you will be able to see the board and its pins. To do this, click the “Me only” button next to the “Who can see this board” setting.
Managing Board Permissions
1. Who can see this board?
This setting determines who can view the board and its pins. You can choose from the following options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone can view the board. |
| Unrestricted | Anyone with the link can view the board. |
| Restricted | Only specific people can view the board. |
| Only me | Only you can view the board. |
2. Collaborators
This setting allows you to invite other people to help you manage the board. Collaborators can add pins, remove pins, and change the board settings. To invite a collaborator, click the “Invite” button and enter their email address.
3. Pin Privacy
This setting determines whether the pins on the board are private or public. If you choose “Public”, the pins will be visible to everyone. If you choose “Private”, the pins will only be visible to you and the collaborators on the board.
4. Board Cover
This setting allows you to choose an image to use as the cover for the board. The cover image will be displayed at the top of the board.
5. Board Description
This setting allows you to add a description to the board. The description will be displayed below the cover image.
Keeping Private Content Private
One of the most important things to keep in mind when using Pinterest is to protect your privacy. By default, all of your boards are public, which means that anyone can see them. However, you can make a board private so that only you can see it. This is a great way to keep your personal or sensitive content safe.
To make a board private:
1. Go to the board you want to make private.
2. Click on the “Edit Board” button.
3. Under the “Privacy” section, select “Private”.
4. Click on the “Save” button.
Your board will now be private and only you will be able to see it. You can also choose to share your private board with specific people by inviting them to collaborate on it.
Here are some additional tips for keeping your private content private:
- Only invite people you trust to collaborate on your private boards.
- Be careful about what you post on your private boards. Remember that anything you post on Pinterest can be seen by anyone, even if your board is private.
- Use strong passwords for your Pinterest account and don’t share them with anyone.
By following these tips, you can help protect your privacy while using Pinterest.
| Privacy Setting | Who can see the board |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone can see the board |
| Private | Only the board creator can see the board |
| Secret | Only people who have been invited by the board creator can see the board |
Benefits of Private Boards
1. Organize Sensitive Information
Keep personal or confidential content hidden from public view, such as travel plans, gift ideas, or fashion aspirations.
2. Share Exclusive Content
Create private boards to share exclusive material with select followers, like family photos, event details, or research findings.
3. Collaborate Privately
Use private boards as a collaborative space for brainstorming, sharing ideas, or planning events with trusted colleagues or friends.
4. Save Pins Without Cluttering
Avoid overwhelming your public boards by saving pins to private boards, which can be easily accessed later without affecting your main aesthetic.
5. Filter Content
Tailor your Pinterest experience by creating private boards that align with specific interests or projects, providing a more focused and relevant feed.
6. Hide Embarrassing Pins
Feel free to save pins that may be considered embarrassing or revealing without compromising your public image by keeping them hidden on private boards.
7. Collect Inspiration Discreetly
Browse and save inspirations privately, allowing you to gather ideas without disclosing your intentions to the public.
8. Protect Intellectual Property
Safeguard original ideas, designs, or research by storing them on private boards, preventing unauthorized access and potential theft of intellectual property.
Troubleshooting Private Board Issues
If you’re having trouble with private boards, try these troubleshooting tips:
1. Make sure your board is set to private.
To do this, go to the board’s settings and select “Keep this board secret” under the “Visibility” section.
2. Check if the people you’ve invited to your board have a Pinterest account.
If they don’t, they won’t be able to access the board even if you’ve invited them.
3. Check if the people you’ve invited have accepted your invitation.
They’ll need to do this before they can access the board.
4. Make sure you’re using the correct link to share your board.
The link that you use to share your board will be different depending on whether you’re sharing it with someone who has a Pinterest account or not.
5. If you’re sharing your board with someone who doesn’t have a Pinterest account, make sure they have a valid email address.
They’ll need this to create a Pinterest account and access the board.
6. Check if you’ve reached the limit for the number of people you can invite to your board.
You can only invite up to 10 people to a private board.
7. If you’ve tried all of the above steps and you’re still having trouble, you can contact Pinterest support for help.
https://help.pinterest.com/en/contact
8. If you’re trying to add someone to a shared board and they’re not receiving an invitation, check if their email address is correct.
If it is, try resending the invitation.
9. If you’re trying to add someone to a shared board and they’ve already accepted the invitation but they’re still not showing up on the board, try refreshing the page or logging out and back into Pinterest.
If the problem persists, contact Pinterest support for help.
Making the Most of Private Boards
1. Organize Your Interests
Private boards provide a safe space to organize your interests and aspirations away from the public eye.
2. Plan Projects
Use private boards as a digital scrapbook to gather ideas and plan projects, whether it’s a home renovation or a social media campaign.
3. Collect Inspiration
Create mood boards or collect images for specific projects or personal interests, without sharing them with the world.
4. Collaborate Privately
Invite friends or colleagues to contribute to a private board and collaborate on ideas without creating multiple accounts or using external platforms.
5. Track Personal Growth
Document your journey towards goals or track your progress in a skill by creating private boards for self-reflection and motivation.
6. Share with Trusted Individuals
Invite specific people to view your private boards, allowing them to see your interests and collaborate on projects.
7. Explore New Interests
Use private boards to cautiously explore new interests without the pressure of sharing them with others.
8. Experiment with Ideas
Experiment with different concepts, designs, or ideas on private boards before presenting them to a wider audience.
9. Create Vision Boards
Visualize your dreams and aspirations by creating mood boards or vision boards on private boards, keeping them out of sight until they manifest.
10. Maintain Privacy and Control
Private boards give you complete control over who sees your pins and ideas, ensuring your privacy and allowing you to share content only with those you trust.
How To Make A Private Board On Pinterest
Pinterest is a great way to discover and share new ideas, but sometimes you may want to keep some of your boards private. Here’s how to do it:
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Boards" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the "Create a Board" button.
- Enter a name and description for your board.
- Under "Privacy," select "Private."
- Click on the "Create Board" button.
Your new private board will now be listed under your "Private Boards" section. Only you will be able to see and access this board.
People Also Ask
How do I make a secret board on Pinterest?
To make a secret board on Pinterest, you need to create a private board. Here’s how:
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “Boards” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Create a Board” button.
- Enter a name and description for your board.
- Under “Privacy,” select “Secret.” Only you will be able to see this board.
- Click on the “Create Board” button.
Can I make a Pinterest board private after I’ve created it?
Yes, you can make a Pinterest board private after you’ve created it. Here’s how:
- Click on the board you want to make private.
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the board.
- Select “Edit Board” from the drop-down menu.
- Under “Privacy,” select “Private.” Only you will be able to see this board.
- Click on the “Save” button.
