If you found my older post about the Pinterest “API method not found” error, this is the updated version. That older error still gets searched, so if you landed here from my older post, you can still read it here: Pinterest API Method Not Found Fix. Pinterest has changed how website verification works over the years, and if your site won’t verify today, the issue usually isn’t Pinterest itself. Most of the time, it’s something on the website side.
Pinterest now focuses on claiming your website
If you’re using Pinterest for business, you want to claim your website.
This connects your website to your Pinterest account and helps make sure your content is tied back to you properly.
How Pinterest verifies websites now
Pinterest now usually gives you one of these options:
- Add an HTML tag to your site header
- Upload an HTML file to your website
- Add a DNS TXT record
For most WordPress users, the HTML tag option is usually the easiest place to start.
WordPress Tip: If your theme doesn’t have an easy place to add code in the header, I usually recommend the free WP Headers And Footers plugin. It’s quick, simple, and saves you from digging through theme settings.
Special note: Some themes and frameworks do have their own custom scripts area, but not all of them do, and some lock it behind a paid version. I still prefer using a simple header code plugin because if you add your Pinterest tag through a theme or framework and later switch themes, that code may not carry over or work the same way. A separate plugin stays with your site, so you’re less likely to lose your verification setup when you make changes.
What usually causes the problem
If Pinterest won’t verify your site, it usually comes down to one of these:
- You’re using the wrong version of the URL (
wwwvs non-www, orhttpvshttps) - The verification tag was added in the wrong place
- Cache hasn’t been cleared yet
- Redirects are confusing the process
- An outdated plugin or script is causing a conflict
That last one is why my old post still matters.
The exact plugin from years ago may not be the issue now, but plugin conflicts can still absolutely break verification.
My recommended fix order
If I were troubleshooting it today, here’s the order I’d use:
- Make sure you’re using the correct version of the website URL
- Add the verification tag in the actual
<head>area - Clear all cache
- Try again
- Check redirects if it still fails
- Test for plugin conflicts if needed
- If WordPress is being stubborn, use the DNS TXT method instead
Final Tip: If the Pinterest tag looks right and it still won’t verify, don’t assume it’s Pinterest. Most of the time it’s the wrong URL version, caching, redirects, or a plugin conflict.
If Pinterest verification (or any other website verification) is giving you trouble and you’d rather not spend time digging through plugins, redirects, and code, this is exactly the kind of thing I help with. If you’d like me to take a look, you can reach out here: Contact Me.
![Pinterest: “API method not found” [Updated]](https://cre8tivediva.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/API-method-not-found.png)
