Pinterest has announced a major ad upgrade during its Pinterest Presents 2025 showcase, introducing fresh tools to help brands reach shoppers earlier in their buying journey.
With the platform now hosting over 578 million monthly active users, most of whom come with shopping intent, these updates could become game-changers for advertisers.
To those unfamiliar with the concept, Local Inventory Ads are a Google feature for retailers with physical stores that showcase a product’s availability at a nearby brick-and-mortar location to online shoppers searching for that item. It’s now Pinterest’s turn to go a-la-shop.
One of the biggest announcements was the preview of Pinterest Top of Search Ads, a beta feature rolling out across all monetized markets. These ads will now appear directly within the top ten slots of search results and Related Pins, placing brand promotions front and center during the crucial discovery phase.
Pinterest explained that the goal is to help brands “win high-intent shoppers” by ensuring their products are seen before competitors’. This upgrade takes Pinterest’s Search Ads, first launched in 2017, to a new level by guaranteeing premium visibility when users are most likely to make a purchase decision.
Pinterest is also expanding its Local Inventory Ads (LIA), giving advertisers the ability to show real-time availability and pricing for products near a shopper’s location. The platform now highlights whether an item is available for in-store pickup or can be shipped directly, reducing friction for buyers.
The addition of where-to-buy links and dynamic pricing could significantly boost conversions, making Pinterest an even more powerful channel for retailers seeking to merge online inspiration with offline sales.
Another major reveal was Media Network Connect, a tool that allows media networks to securely share first-party audiences, product catalogs, and conversion data with advertisers. This means brands can build and manage campaigns in one place, while taking full advantage of Pinterest’s automated solutions like Pinterest Performance+ for optimization.
Despite fierce competition from TikTok, Instagram, and other visually-driven platforms, Pinterest has carved out a unique niche by staying true to its mission as a place for inspiration and action. Its algorithm favors intentional discovery over endless scrolling, which attracts a motivated audience ready to shop. This deliberate positioning has allowed Pinterest not only to survive but thrive in an era where social media attention is scattered, making it a valuable partner for brands seeking high-quality, purchase-ready traffic.