The short answer is yes — Pinterest does offer native scheduling! But here’s the thing: while it’s a great starting point, there are some pretty significant limitations that might have you looking for alternatives sooner than you’d expect.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know to schedule Pinterest posts natively, plus when you might want to consider upgrading to a more robust Pinterest scheduling tool like Tailwind.
How Pinterest’s Native Scheduler Works
Pinterest’s built-in scheduler is actually pretty straightforward to use, and it’s completely free with any Pinterest business account (which you should definitely have if you’re marketing on the platform). Here’s what you can do:
Desktop Scheduling: The native Pinterest scheduler works best on a desktop. You simply create a Pin as usual, then instead of hitting “Publish,” you’ll see an option to “Publish at a later date.” Click that, choose your date and time, and you’re all set. You can schedule a Pin up to 30 days in advance. While you can only schedule one Pin at a time, you can have up to 10 Pins scheduled for the future.
Mobile Scheduling: You can also schedule Pinterest posts through the mobile app on iOS and Android. The process is similar: create your Pin, add all your details, then tap the scheduling option instead of publishing immediately.
One thing I really appreciate about Pinterest’s native option is how seamless it feels. Since it’s built right into the platform, there’s no learning curve if you’re already comfortable creating Pins manually.
Limitations of Pinterest’s Native Scheduling
Now, here’s where things get a bit frustrating if you’re serious about Pinterest marketing. The native scheduler has some pretty significant limitations that become apparent quickly:
Limited Scheduling Window. You can only schedule up to 30 days in advance, which is honestly not much if you like to batch your content creation or plan seasonal campaigns well ahead of time. I know content creators who like to plan their entire quarter at once — that’s just not possible with the native scheduler.
One Pin at a Time. You can schedule only one Pin at a time, and you can have a maximum of 100 Pins lined up for the future — wait, that’s not quite right…according to Pinterest’s own help documentation, you can have up to 10 Pins scheduled for the future. Either way, there’s no bulk scheduling option, which means you’re manually scheduling each Pin individually. That gets old fast.
No Smart Scheduling. Pinterest’s native tool doesn’t tell you the best times to post for your specific audience. You’re essentially guessing at optimal posting times, which isn’t ideal when timing can significantly impact your Pin’s performance.
Limited Editing Options. Once a Pin has been scheduled, you can update the publish date, title, board, description and link. You cannot edit the image or video content of your Pin. So if you realize you want to change the actual image, you have to delete the scheduled Pin and start over.
No Visual Planning. There’s no calendar view to see your content strategy at a glance. You can’t easily see if you’re posting too much of one type of content or if there are gaps in your posting schedule.
Desktop-Heavy Experience. While mobile scheduling exists, the experience is much more limited compared to desktop. If you’re someone who creates a lot of content on mobile, this can be restrictive.
Alternatives to Native Scheduling: Why Use Tailwind?
This is where tools like the Tailwind Pinterest scheduler really shine. As a Pinterest-approved partner (which means Pinterest specifically vetted us), Tailwind addresses pretty much every limitation of the native scheduler.
Unlimited Scheduling. You can schedule content months in advance: I know people who batch an entire year’s worth of content during their annual planning sessions. No more 30-day restrictions.
SmartSchedule Technology. This is probably my favorite feature. Instead of guessing when to post, Tailwind’s SmartSchedule suggests optimal posting times specifically for your account. The best time to Pin on Pinterest is not the same for each account. The audiences that engage with different types of content are active on Pinterest at different times.
Bulk Scheduling and Calendar View. Upload multiple Pins at once, drag and drop them around a visual calendar, and see your entire content strategy at a glance. You can even connect directly to your website, Instagram, or Canva to pull content automatically.
SmartPin. Enter a URL in SmartPin and Tailwind will create a new, fresh Pin for that URL every week. You get to approve the final version, but all the design and keyword optimization is done for you. If you update that blog post or product URL, the next Pin will reflect those changes. It’s brilliant! See this review from a long-time Tailwind user:
Pin Recycling. One of Pinterest’s biggest advantages is that Pins can perform well for years. Over 60% of Saves were from Pins over a year old. Tailwind lets you automatically recycle your best-performing Pins to different boards over time, maximizing their longevity. With bulk editing, you can also easily change the Title and Description, adding fresh elements to the Pin.
Performance Analytics. See which scheduled Pins are driving the most traffic, saves, and engagement. The native scheduler doesn’t give you any analytics on your scheduled content until after it posts.
Tailwind Create. This built-in design tool helps you quickly create branded Pins without switching between platforms. According to Tailwind’s recent research, 60% of the viral Pins with designed images appear to have been created using Tailwind Create or a similar tool.
Multi-Board Scheduling. Save one Pin to multiple boards with different scheduling times — something that would take forever with the native scheduler.
Here’s what’s really interesting: Tailwind’s own research found that Pins driving high volumes of traffic were up to 54% more likely to be published through Tailwind than to be published directly on Pinterest or through any other means. Now, this doesn’t mean Tailwind gives your Pins a boost — it’s more likely that people using scheduling tools are following better Pinterest marketing practices overall.
Which Scheduler is Right for You?
Stick with Native if:
- You only pin occasionally (maybe a few times per week)
- You’re just testing Pinterest as a marketing channel
- You primarily work from a desktop
- You’re comfortable with the 30-day scheduling limit
- Budget is your primary concern
Consider Tailwind if:
- You want to pin consistently (daily or multiple times per day)
- You’re serious about Pinterest as a traffic source
- You like to batch content creation
- You want data-driven insights on posting times
- You manage multiple Pinterest accounts
- You want to create professional-looking Pins quickly
The truth is, most people start with Pinterest’s native scheduler because it’s free and easy. But if you stick with Pinterest marketing for more than a few months, you’ll probably find yourself bumping up against those limitations pretty quickly.
Final Thoughts
So, can you schedule Pinterest posts natively? Absolutely! Pinterest’s built-in scheduler is a perfectly viable option, especially when you’re starting out. It’s free, integrated into the platform, and covers the basics.
But here’s the reality: if Pinterest becomes an important part of your marketing strategy, you’ll likely want more robust scheduling capabilities pretty quickly.
The native scheduler is like training wheels: great for getting started, but you’ll probably want to upgrade once you’re ready to get serious about your Pinterest strategy. And with tools like Tailwind’s Pinterest scheduler, you’re not just getting scheduling — you’re getting a complete Pinterest marketing system.
Remember, successful Pinterest marketing isn’t just about when you post; it’s about consistency, quality content, and understanding your audience. Whether you use Pinterest’s native scheduler or a third-party tool, the most important thing is that you’re posting regularly and creating Pins that genuinely help your audience.
Start with what works for your current needs and budget, but don’t be afraid to invest in better tools as your Pinterest strategy grows. Your future self will thank you for making the switch before you’re manually scheduling 50 Pins one by one!
FAQ Pinterest Native Scheduler
1. Does Pinterest let me schedule Pins without extra software?
Yes. Every Pinterest business account includes a built-in scheduler that lets you set a publish date and time for individual Pins right from the Pin creation screen.
2. How far in advance can I schedule with Pinterest’s native tool?
You can choose any time within the next 30 days. If you need to plan campaigns further out, you’ll hit that limit quickly.
3. How many Pins can I have in the queue at once?
Pinterest allows up to 10 scheduled Pins total. There’s no bulk upload, so each Pin is scheduled one by one.
4. Can I schedule from my phone?
Yes, the iOS and Android apps include the same “Publish at a later date” option. That said, most features (and ease of use) are geared toward the desktop.
5. Can I edit a Pin after I schedule it?
The only thing you can change on a scheduled Pin is the publish date and time. If you spot a typo in the title, want to tweak the description, swap the URL, or replace the creative, you’ll need to delete the scheduled Pin and start over. Double-check everything before you click “Schedule” to save yourself the rework
6. Will Pinterest tell me the best time to post?
No. The native scheduler doesn’t recommend time slots based on your audience. You pick the times yourself.
7. Is there a calendar view to see everything I have coming up?
No. The native tool shows a simple list; it doesn’t provide a drag-and-drop calendar or visual grid of upcoming Pins.
8. Does using the native scheduler cost anything?
It’s completely free for anyone with a Pinterest business account.
9. Can I save one Pin to multiple boards automatically?
Not with the native option. Each scheduled Pin goes to one board, so multi-board distribution must be done manually.
10. Do scheduled Pins perform differently from live posts?
Pinterest treats scheduled Pins the same as Pins published manually. Performance still depends on timing, relevance, and overall Pin quality.
11. What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel?
Open the Pin in your “Scheduled” list. From there you can adjust the publish date/time, or delete it entirely.
12. When would I need a third-party scheduler like Tailwind?
If you want to plan more than 30 days ahead, schedule in bulk, recycle evergreen Pins, get data-driven time suggestions, or see a full content calendar, you’ll outgrow the native tool and likely benefit from a dedicated Pinterest partner such as Tailwind.
13. If I schedule my Pins with a tool like Tailwind, will Pinterest limit their reach or visibility?
No. Pinterest treats Pins published through approved partners the same as Pins published directly on the platform. In multiple statements, Pinterest has confirmed that using a scheduling partner does not trigger any reach penalty.
