When you’re in the CBD space, you’re playing by a different rulebook. Paid ads? Mostly banned. Affiliates? Limited. So what’s left to fuel growth? CBD SEO — specifically, a rock-solid link building strategy.
But here’s the catch: not all backlinks are created equal, and in legally restricted industries like CBD, cannabis, or kratom, the margin for error is razor-thin. In this post, you’ll learn how to create a link building blueprint tailored for CBD brands — one that builds trust, avoids penalties, and drives long-term rankings.
Why Link Building Is Essential in Restricted Niches
Backlinks are a signal of trust. In fact, they’re one of Google’s top three ranking factors. For CBD brands — which often operate in a legal grey area — links from reputable, relevant sites are critical for credibility and SEO.
What makes your industry different:
-
You can’t buy traffic via Google or Facebook ads
-
Your competition is often shady or spammy
-
Google’s quality raters are stricter with “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) niches like health, supplements, and CBD
That’s why a smart, cautious approach to SEO for CBD brands must include link building — but not the kind you find for $5 on Fiverr.
The CBD Link Building Blueprint (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to do it right.
Step 1: Create Link-Worthy Content Assets
Before you even think about outreach, build content people actually want to link to.
Top-performing formats for CBD:
-
Ultimate guides (e.g. “The Beginner’s Guide to CBD Sleep Aids”)
-
Scientific breakdowns with medical source citations
-
Infographics (e.g., “CBD Extraction Methods Compared”)
-
Data-backed content (survey results, usage trends, dosage info)
-
Product explainers and buyer’s guides
This content should be hosted on your blog or learning center, and naturally include internal links to your products.
This foundation supports your broader CBD content marketing strategy.
Step 2: Target CBD-Friendly Domains and Niches
Your best backlinks will come from:
-
Cannabis and wellness blogs
-
CBD review sites
-
Alternative health or natural remedy platforms
-
Pet wellness blogs (if you sell CBD for pets)
-
Green lifestyle and sustainability sites
-
Ecommerce or startup tech blogs
Make sure the sites are:
-
Real (not PBNs)
-
Relevant
-
Actively maintained
-
Not flagged by Google
Relevance is key. A backlink from a natural health blog does more for your CBD SEO company efforts than one from a tech forum.
Step 3: Outreach with Value, Not Just a Pitch
No one likes a cold email that screams “give me a link.”
Instead:
-
Start by engaging with their content first (comments, shares)
-
Offer a guest post tailored to their audience
-
Suggest a resource swap (link exchange with no footprint)
-
Highlight your unique content that complements theirs
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze their site’s health before pitching.
This kind of outreach is how true CBD SEO experts build long-term link partnerships.
Step 4: List Your Brand in CBD-Friendly Directories
There are dozens of CBD, cannabis, and hemp directories that accept listings from legitimate companies. These count as citations and backlinks — and help with local SEO for CBD companies too.
Popular options:
-
Leafwire
-
CannaPages
-
CBD Oil Review
-
CBD Map
-
Industry-specific Reddit threads and subreddits
Make sure to optimize each listing with consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) and your homepage URL.
Step 5: Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
CBD brands can get quoted in media outlets by responding to journalist queries via HARO. This is a legit way to land backlinks from major publications.
When done right, this can lead to links from:
-
Forbes
-
Business Insider
-
Well+Good
-
High Times
A single high-authority link like this can push your rankings in a big way — and elevate your CBD search engine optimization trust score with Google.
Mistakes to Avoid in CBD Link Building
-
Avoid spammy backlink sellers – They leave footprints and often violate Google’s guidelines
-
Don’t over-optimize anchor text – Mix branded, generic, and natural phrases
-
Don’t buy links from irrelevant niches – Stick with health, cannabis, or wellness
-
Avoid PBNs unless you own them and know what you’re doing
Link quality > link quantity — every time.
Work with a CBD SEO agency that knows the nuance of building backlinks safely in your niche.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the CBD industry, building backlinks isn’t just another SEO task — it’s your only traffic weapon in a restricted playing field. Done right, your links become trust signals, ranking catalysts, and long-term brand assets.
Done wrong? You’re looking at penalties, wasted money, and lost time.
The blueprint above gives you a step-by-step path to success. But if you want to shortcut the process, connect with a SEO consultant for CBD industry brands who’s already battle-tested this playbook.
As your site matures, your organic growth will multiply — and that’s when you know your SEO for CBD online stores is finally working the way it should.
