> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pinsearch.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search for a Pinterest profile

> Find a Pinterest profile by username or profile URL.

Use Profile Explorer when you want to look up a Pinterest account by username or profile link.

You do not need the account owner's private analytics. Profile Explorer works from the public profile and the recent pins Pinsearch can read.

<Frame caption="Profile Explorer accepts a Pinterest username or a full profile link.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pinsearch-3aae6db5/xJcEgTX0iBA9tm26/images/profile-explorer/profile-explorer-search.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xJcEgTX0iBA9tm26&q=85&s=e07fd3d635a6915ab492086bb2c38bd0" alt="Profile Explorer search form with example usernames" width="1060" height="600" data-path="images/profile-explorer/profile-explorer-search.png" />
</Frame>

## What you can enter

You can search with any of these formats:

* A username: `ohjoy`
* A username with `@`: `@ohjoy`
* A full Pinterest profile URL copied from your browser

If you are unsure, paste the full profile URL. Pinsearch will pull the username from the link when the link is a Pinterest profile.

## Search for a profile

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Profile Explorer">
    Go to **Profile Explorer**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the username or profile link">
    Click the search field and enter the profile you want to research.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Explore">
    Click **Explore** to open the profile report.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Pinsearch also shows a few example profiles under the search field. Click one if you want to see how a completed profile report looks before searching for your own competitor.

## If the profile link is not accepted

Profile Explorer is for Pinterest profile pages.

If your input is not accepted, check for these common issues:

* The URL is for a pin, board, search page, or website instead of a profile.
* The username has extra spaces or punctuation.
* The username is too short.
* The pasted text includes words before or after the URL.

Try copying the profile URL again from Pinterest, then paste only that link into Profile Explorer.

## If the profile is not found

Sometimes the search is valid, but the account cannot be found.

<Frame caption="If the account cannot be found, return to Profile Explorer and try a different username or profile URL.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pinsearch-3aae6db5/xJcEgTX0iBA9tm26/images/profile-explorer/profile-explorer-not-found.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xJcEgTX0iBA9tm26&q=85&s=58652132b89c81a6c7beb048920010ec" alt="Profile Explorer Pinterest Account Not Found message" width="1060" height="600" data-path="images/profile-explorer/profile-explorer-not-found.png" />
</Frame>

This can happen when:

* The username is misspelled.
* The profile was removed or suspended.
* The profile changed usernames.
* The profile is not available to read right now.

Click **Go back to Profile Explorer**, check the username, and try again.

## What opens after a successful search

When the profile loads, Pinsearch shows:

* The profile header and high-level metrics.
* Recent activity and engagement cards.
* Recent boards, topics, and colors.
* Top performing recent pins.
* The **Add to Project** button for saving the profile.

## Related guides

* [Profile Explorer](/pinsearch-product-guides/profile-explorer/profile-explorer)
* [Analyze recent pin performance](/pinsearch-product-guides/profile-explorer/analyze-recent-pin-performance)
* [Understand profile header metrics](/pinsearch-product-guides/profile-explorer/understand-profile-header-metrics)
* [Why recent pins may not load in Profile Explorer](/pinsearch-product-guides/profile-explorer/recent-pins-not-loading)