How to Find Group Boards on Pinterest (2026 Complete Guide)

Quick Answer: Use Pinterest's search bar, type your niche keyword, click the dropdown next to the search bar, select Boards, then look for boards showing multiple profile icons in a circle. These are group boards. Alternatively, use PinGroupie.com to search thousands of group boards by category.

What Are Pinterest Group Boards?

Group boards (also called collaborative boards) are Pinterest boards with multiple contributors who can all add pins to the same board.

Visual identification:

Regular board: Single profile picture
Group board: Circle with multiple small profile pictures overlapping

Key characteristics: ✅ Multiple people can pin content ✅ Board owner controls permissions ✅ Often have more followers than regular boards ✅ Can have dozens (or hundreds) of contributors ✅ Used for collaboration and expanding reach

Example: A "Healthy Recipes" group board might have 50 food bloggers all pinning their recipes, giving each contributor access to the board's 10,000 followers.

Why Find Group Boards? (Are They Still Worth It in 2026?)

The truth: Group boards are less powerful than they were in 2018-2020, but they're NOT dead.

When Group Boards Are Worth It:

For new Pinterest accounts:

You have under 1,000 followers
You're building initial authority
You need exposure beyond your own audience

For time-sensitive content:

Seasonal recipes (holiday content)
Event planning boards
Product launches
Trending topics

For niche collaboration:

Connecting with peers in your industry
Building relationships with other creators
Finding content creation partners

When to Skip Group Boards:

❌ Your own boards already perform well ❌ You have a strong follower base (5,000+) ❌ Group boards are low-quality or spammy ❌ You don't have time to manage them

The modern strategy: Quality over quantity. Join 5-7 highly relevant, active group boards rather than 50 random ones.

How to Identify Group Boards Visually

Before searching, you need to recognize them.

On Desktop:

Group board indicators:

Multiple profile icons - Small circular icon showing 2-3 profile pictures
Collaborator count - Shows number of contributors
"Join" button - Some boards display this if accepting members

Regular board:

Single profile picture
Only the owner's name

On Mobile (iOS/Android):

Look for:

Circular icon at bottom corner of board thumbnail
Multiple tiny profile pictures inside the circle
This appears on the board preview before clicking

Inside the Board:

Once you open any board:

Collaborators section shows all contributor names
First profile picture = board owner (always)
Remaining pictures = collaborators

Method 1: Pinterest Native Search (Free, Built-In)

The most straightforward method using Pinterest itself.

Desktop Instructions:

Step 1: Go to Pinterest.com

Log into your account

Step 2: Use the Search Bar

Type your niche keyword
Examples: "food blogging", "travel tips", "home decor", "digital marketing"
Start broad, then narrow

Step 3: Filter Results to Boards

Look at the dropdown menu next to search bar
Currently shows "All Pins" by default
Click it to reveal options
Select "Boards"

Step 4: Browse Results

Scroll through board results
Look for the multiple-profile-icon indicator
Group boards will have this circle icon

Step 5: Evaluate Each Board

Click on promising boards
Check number of collaborators
Review recent pins (are they active?)
Read board description for join instructions

Mobile Instructions (iOS/Android):

Step 1: Open Pinterest App

Tap search icon (magnifying glass)

Step 2: Enter Keyword

Type your niche
Example: "vegan recipes"

Step 3: Filter to Boards

Tap "All Pins" dropdown at top
Select "Boards" from menu

Step 4: Scroll and Identify

Look for boards with the circular multi-profile icon
This appears at bottom-left of board thumbnail
Tap boards to see details

Step 5: Check Board Details

Number of pins
Number of followers
Collaborator list
Join instructions in description

Tips for Better Search Results:

Use specific keywords:

❌ Too broad: "food"
✅ Better: "healthy meal prep"
✅ Even better: "keto meal prep recipes"

Try variations:

"blogging tips group board"
"travel bloggers collaborative board"
"photography board with contributors"

Leverage autosuggest:

Pinterest shows related searches
Click these to discover niche-specific boards

Method 2: PinGroupie (Most Popular Tool)

Website: pingroupie.com Cost: Free Best for: Quick searching with detailed stats

What PinGroupie Shows:

Board name and description
Number of followers
Number of collaborators
Number of pins
Average repins
Last updated date
Direct link to board

How to Use PinGroupie:

Step 1: Go to pingroupie.com

No account required

Step 2: Choose Search Method

Option A - Category Search:

Click "Category" dropdown
Select from 30+ categories:
- Food & Drink
- Travel
- Fashion
- Home Decor
- Business
- Technology
- etc.
Click "Filter"

Option B - Keyword Search:

Enter keyword in "Title" field
Or enter keyword in "Description" field
Or search both
Click "Filter"

Step 3: Apply Filters

Enable "Request to Join" filter (highly recommended)
Enable "Exclude Stale Boards" (removes inactive boards)
These filters save massive time

Step 4: Sort Results

Click "OrderBy" dropdown
Sort by:
- Followers (most popular)
- Pins (most active)
- Collaborators (size of team)
- Average Repins (engagement)
- Followers/Collaborators Ratio (efficiency)

Step 5: Analyze Boards

Click board title to open on Pinterest
Click creator icon to see owner profile
Hover over description for details

PinGroupie Pro Tips:

✅ Always enable "Request to Join" filter - These boards have clear instructions ✅ Exclude stale boards - Saves time on dead boards ✅ Sort by followers first - Start with popular boards ✅ Check follower-to-collaborator ratio - Aim for 50:1 or higher

Warning: PinGroupie's "Last Updated" shows when PinGroupie crawled the board, NOT when the board was last active. Always verify activity on Pinterest.

Method 3: Follow Successful Competitors

The "spy on your peers" strategy.

How It Works:

Find successful Pinterest users in your niche → see which group boards they've joined → join the same boards.

Step-by-Step Process:

Step 1: Identify Top Pinners in Your Niche

Search your main keyword on Pinterest
Look at who ranks highly
Check who has 10,000+ followers
Find 5-10 relevant accounts

Step 2: Visit Their Profile

Click on their profile picture
Go to their full profile page

Step 3: Click "Saved" Tab

Shows all boards they own and contribute to
Scroll through their boards

Step 4: Identify Group Boards

Look for the multi-profile icon
Group boards appear mixed with personal boards
They're often at the bottom of the profile

Step 5: Click on Group Boards

Open each group board
Check if it's still active
Check if accepting new members
Read description for instructions

Step 6: Create a Spreadsheet

Board name
URL
Number of followers
Number of collaborators
Join instructions
Owner contact info
Applied? (Yes/No)
Status (Pending/Accepted/Rejected)

Why This Method Works:

Pre-vetted quality - If successful pinners joined, boards are likely good
Niche-relevant - Boards match your exact industry
Competitor analysis - See what's working for others
Discover hidden gems - Find boards not in directories

Method 4: Facebook Groups for Bloggers

Many Pinterest users share group boards in Facebook communities.

How to Use Facebook Groups:

Step 1: Search Facebook for Groups

"Pinterest group boards"
"[Your niche] Pinterest group boards"
"Blogger Pinterest collaboration"
"Pinterest marketing for [your industry]"

Step 2: Join Relevant Groups

Look for active groups (100+ members)
Read group rules
Answer membership questions

Step 3: Search Within Groups

Use group search function
Search "group board"
Search "collaborative board"
Search "open board"

Step 4: Look for Pinned Posts

Many groups have dedicated threads
"Share your group boards here"
"Open group boards list"

Step 5: Post Your Own Request (Optional)

"Looking for [niche] group boards accepting contributors"
Share what you offer in return
Be specific about your niche

Recommended Facebook Groups:

Blogger group boards for your specific niche
Pinterest marketing communities
Content creator collaboration groups
Niche-specific blogging groups

Method 5: Check Board Owner Profiles

When you find ONE good group board, use it to find MORE.

The Strategy:

Step 1: Find a Quality Group Board

Use any method above

Step 2: Identify the Board Owner

Click on the board
Board owner = first profile picture shown
Usually listed first in URL

Step 3: Visit Owner's Profile

Click their profile picture
Go to their main Pinterest page

Step 4: Browse Their Boards

Scroll through all their boards
Successful group board owners often manage MULTIPLE group boards
Or they're members of many others

Step 5: Evaluate Their Other Boards

Click each group board they own/contribute to
Check if relevant to your niche
See if accepting members

Why this works: People who manage one successful group board often manage several or know the community well.

Method 6: Google Search for Curated Lists

Bloggers frequently publish "top group boards" lists.

How to Search:

Google search terms:

"Pinterest group boards for [your niche] 2025"
"Best Pinterest group boards for [your niche]"
"Open Pinterest group boards list"
"[your niche] Pinterest group boards to join"

Examples:

"Pinterest group boards for food bloggers"
"Best travel Pinterest group boards 2025"
"Open Pinterest group boards for digital marketing"

What You'll Find:

Blog posts with 50-100 curated boards
Board links organized by category
Recent updates (look for 2024-2025 posts)
Sometimes join instructions included

Caution:

❌ Many lists are outdated ❌ Boards may be closed to new members ❌ Some boards are now inactive ✅ Use as starting point, verify on Pinterest

How to Evaluate Group Boards (Before Joining)

NOT all group boards are created equal. Many are low-quality.

Quality Indicators (Green Flags):

✅ Active recent pins - Pins added in last 7 days ✅ Clear board description - Explains the theme ✅ Join instructions provided - Contact info or button ✅ High follower count - 1,000+ followers minimum ✅ Reasonable collaborator count - 10-100 (not 1,000+) ✅ Good follower-to-collaborator ratio - At least 50:1 ✅ Quality pins - Well-designed, relevant content ✅ Engaged community - Comments, repins visible ✅ Niche-specific - Focused topic, not generic

Red Flags (Avoid):

❌ No recent activity - Last pin is months old ❌ Spam content - Off-topic pins, low quality ❌ Too many collaborators - 500+ means your pins get buried ❌ No board description - Unclear purpose ❌ No join instructions - Board likely closed ❌ Mixed unrelated topics - Lack of focus ❌ Dead engagement - No repins, saves, or comments

Calculate Follower-to-Collaborator Ratio:

Formula: Followers ÷ Collaborators = Ratio

Examples:

5,000 followers ÷ 50 collaborators = 100:1 (Excellent)
2,000 followers ÷ 100 collaborators = 20:1 (OK)
10,000 followers ÷ 1,000 collaborators = 10:1 (Too crowded)

Aim for: 50:1 or higher

Check Recent Pin Activity:

Step 1: Open the group board Step 2: Look at the most recent pins Step 3: Check dates:

Pins from today/this week = Active
Pins from 1-2 months ago = Moderate
Pins from 6+ months ago = Dead (skip it)

Look at Pin Quality:

Are pins visually appealing?
Do they match the board's stated theme?
Are they professional or spammy?
Do pins have good text overlays?

How to Join Group Boards (Quick Overview)

Once you've found quality boards, here's how to join:

Most Common Methods:

1. Follow Board Description Instructions

Most boards list requirements
Usually: "Follow me + DM on Pinterest"
Or: "Email [address] with your profile link"

2. Click "Join" Button

Some boards have this enabled
Click and wait for approval
Appears under board description

3. Contact Board Owner Directly

Find owner (first profile picture)
Visit their profile for contact info
Send polite message/email

4. Fill Out Google Form

Some owners use forms to vet applicants
Link usually in board description

What to Include in Your Request:

✅ Your name ✅ Link to your Pinterest profile ✅ Brief explanation of your content ✅ Why you're a good fit for the board ✅ Confirmation you'll follow board rules ✅ Professional, friendly tone

Example message: "Hi [Owner Name], I'm [Your Name], a [your niche] blogger with [X] Pinterest followers. I'd love to join your '[Board Name]' group board as I create content about [relevant topics]. My Pinterest profile: [URL]. I'll follow all board rules and contribute quality pins regularly. Thanks for considering!"

Common Mistakes When Finding Group Boards

Mistake 1: Joining Too Many Boards

❌ Joining 50+ boards ✅ Join 5-10 high-quality boards

Why: Managing too many boards dilutes your effort and Pinterest may see it as spam.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Board Quality

❌ Joining any board that accepts you ✅ Vetting each board carefully

Why: Low-quality boards can hurt your Pinterest authority.

Mistake 3: Not Reading Board Rules

❌ Pinning immediately without checking rules ✅ Reading description and following guidelines

Why: You'll get removed for violating unstated rules.

Mistake 4: Focusing Only on Follower Count

❌ "This board has 100K followers, must be great!" ✅ Checking engagement, activity, and quality

Why: Follower count means nothing if the board is inactive.

Mistake 5: Never Evaluating Performance

❌ Pin and forget ✅ Track which boards drive traffic

Why: You want to focus on boards that actually work.

Mistake 6: Pinning Only Your Content

❌ Using group boards for self-promotion only ✅ Repinning from others, engaging with community

Why: Pinterest and board owners expect collaboration.

How to Track Your Group Board Performance

Once you've joined boards, track what works.

Use Pinterest Analytics:

Step 1: Go to Pinterest Analytics

Available for business accounts only
analytics.pinterest.com

Step 2: Check Pin Performance

See which pins get the most engagement
Filter by board

Step 3: Identify Top Boards

Which group boards drive the most:
- Impressions
- Saves
- Clicks
- Outbound clicks

Step 4: Double Down on Winners

Pin more to high-performing boards
Leave underperforming boards

Create a Tracking Spreadsheet:

Columns:

Board name
Date joined
Pins added (last 30 days)
Impressions
Saves
Clicks
Engagement rate
Keep? (Yes/No)

Review monthly: Which boards deliver results?

Tools for Tracking:

Tailwind (Paid):

Board Insights feature
Shows performance by board
Recommends best boards

Pinterest Native Analytics (Free):

Basic metrics by board
Pin performance data

Quick Reference: All 6 Methods

Method	Difficulty	Cost	Best For
Pinterest Search	Easy	Free	Beginners, quick finds
PinGroupie	Easy	Free	Detailed stats, bulk searching
Follow Competitors	Medium	Free	Finding pre-vetted quality boards
Facebook Groups	Easy	Free	Networking, finding hidden boards
Board Owner Profiles	Medium	Free	Discovering board clusters
Google Search Lists	Easy	Free	Starting point, curated lists

Common Questions

How many group boards should I join? Start with 5-7 highly relevant, active boards. Quality beats quantity. Monitor performance and drop underperformers after 30-60 days.

Are group boards still effective in 2026? Yes, but less than before. They work best for new accounts, niche collaboration, and time-sensitive content. Your own boards should remain your primary focus.

Can I find group boards without PinGroupie? Yes. Use Pinterest's native search (filter by "Boards") or check profiles of successful pinners in your niche. PinGroupie just speeds up the process.

Why do some boards show in search but others don't? Pinterest's algorithm decides visibility. Private or less-engaged boards may not appear. Use multiple search methods to find hidden boards.

How do I know if a board is accepting new members? Look for: (1) "Join" button under description, (2) join instructions in board description, or (3) "Request to Join" filter on PinGroupie showing "Yes."

What if a board has no join instructions? The board is likely closed to new members. You can try contacting the owner directly via their website/blog, but response rates are low (under 50%).

Do group boards still help with Pinterest SEO? Indirectly. While boards themselves aren't a ranking factor, increased engagement from group boards can boost your pin's performance in search.

Should I create my own group board? If you're established in your niche (2,000+ followers), yes. It positions you as an authority and lets you control quality. Start small with 10-20 contributors.

How can I tell if a board is spam? Red flags: Off-topic pins, no clear theme, 1,000+ collaborators, no activity in months, board description mentions unrelated products/services.

What's the difference between collaborators and followers? Collaborators can add pins to the board. Followers just see the board's pins in their feed. A board might have 50 collaborators but 5,000 followers.

The Bottom Line

Finding group boards on Pinterest in 2026 is straightforward once you know where to look:

Best method for beginners: Pinterest native search (filter to "Boards") Best method for speed: PinGroupie.com with filters enabled
Best method for quality: Follow successful competitors in your niche

Remember the key principles:

Quality over quantity - 5 great boards beat 50 mediocre ones
Evaluate before joining - Check activity, engagement, and rules
Track performance - Monitor which boards drive actual results
Focus on your own boards first - Group boards complement, not replace
Be selective - Join only niche-relevant, active boards

Managing your pins: If you need to remove pins from group boards you've joined, see our guide on how to unsave pins on Pinterest.

Group boards aren't the Pinterest goldmine they were in 2018, but they remain a valuable tool for new accounts and strategic collaboration. Use them wisely as part of a broader Pinterest strategy.

Ready to level up your Pinterest strategy beyond group boards? Genviral helps you schedule pins, track engagement, and optimize your posting schedule - so you can focus on creating content that actually converts. For a complete posting strategy, see our Pinterest posting strategy guide.