5 industries for which Pinterest Ads are cheaper and more effective than Meta

In 2026, Meta Ads will become even more expensive than they are now, and competition and the channel’s reliance on automation will also grow. For many e-commerce businesses, this means rising customer acquisition costs, falling ROAS, and less and less control over campaign results.

There is a channel that can compete with Meta and deliver even better return on investment for some industries: Pinterest Ads.

Pinterest is a visual search engine where users mainly look for inspiration, ideas, and solutions, often with a specific purchase intention. There is a good chance that users who come across a brand’s photo will become interested in the product and decide to buy it, but it is important to remember that this is not a medium for every industry. Below are 5 industries where investing in Pinterest Ads may be more profitable than Meta Ads.

Pinterest is a natural environment for users looking for interior design inspiration. When planning their interior design, they look here first, whereas on Facebook, for example, they might look elsewhere first. Here, users do not scroll unconsciously as they do on Meta social media – they come here with a specific intention and actively plan their purchases.

What home decor products are worth promoting on Pinterest?

• Products with a strong visual aspect, with nice, high-quality photos,
• That can be shown in an arrangement so that the user can imagine the furniture in a specific space,
• That requires time to decide on, e.g., more expensive sofas, tables, etc. Users often return to their saved inspirations, which can positively impact conversions.

In the beauty industry, Meta Ads mean fierce competition, often with large budgets, a battle for the user’s attention in an already ad-overloaded feed, and, as a result, declining user trust.

Pinterest works differently.

• It is one of the main places where users look for:
• tutorials on makeup, hairstyles, skincare, etc.
• trends,
• before and after effects for various treatments,
• real-life product applications.

Why is Pinterest Ads a good place for beauty ads? Such ads do not interrupt scrolling, but fit naturally into the research process, making them seem more natural and relevant to the user. This way, as a beauty brand, you can lower your CAC and build trust with customers even before they click the “buy” button.

Thematically, the women’s fashion category is among the most frequently searched and added materials. Stylings in various styles, outfits for different occasions, trends, and the most fashionable accessories – millions of Pinterest users search for all of this. This is an excellent opportunity for businesses in the fashion category to weave their advertising content into the fashion feed seamlessly. 

It is worth remembering that users are not looking for individual products here, but rather:

• ready-made outfits,
• inspiration for specific occasions,
• accessories to complement outfits,
• seasonal ideas.

Pinterest is also a treasure trove of recipe inspiration! Attractive platters with appetizers for parties, quick lunches, or appetizing Christmas Eve dishes are popular with a large group of users.

People who are looking for recipes or other culinary inspiration are already thinking in terms of “I want to cook/prepare/recreate this”. This attitude can be linked to purchasing intent.

Pinterest is an absolute goldmine of inspiration for:

• wedding planning,
• gift buying,
• event organizing,
• decorating,
• organizing larger events such as christenings, communions, birthdays, etc.

These are categories with a very long decision-making cycle – after all, we start planning important events much earlier, precisely by gathering information. These industries can also be more demanding due to lower purchase frequency.

Why do Pinterest Ads win over Meta for this industry?

Because it is a platform typically designed for a long planning cycle, while Meta operates mainly in short-impulse mode, if a customer plans a purchase, Pinterest often proves cheaper and more effective.

Pinterest Ads are definitely not a channel “for everyone,” and it is crucial to recognize this from a business perspective. However, for industries that rely on visual elements and require time to make purchase decisions, this channel can be cheaper and more effective, and, above all, less competitive than Meta Ads.

In 2026, the problem for companies is not a lack of budget, but allocating it to the proper channels that actually support the purchasing decision.

Pinterest Ads can deliver results – provided that:

• they are well set up,
• well optimized,
• and run by a team that understands the difference between impulse and intention.