In the world of SEO, content might be king — but backlinks are the crown jewels. Especially for CBD brands trying to outrank competitors in a restricted digital environment, backlinks are what separate high-ranking sites from the rest of the noise.
If you’re working on CBD SEO, understanding backlinks is non-negotiable. In this article, we’ll explore why backlinks are crucial, what kinds of links work best, and how to get them safely and effectively in the CBD space.
What Are Backlinks — and Why Do They Matter?
Backlinks are hyperlinks from other websites that point to yours. In Google’s eyes, each link acts like a vote of confidence — a signal that your content is worth reading, ranking, and referencing.
In the CBD industry, where ad platforms are limited and content can be tricky, backlinks can dramatically improve your visibility in search results.
The right backlinks can:
-
Boost domain authority
-
Improve keyword rankings
-
Drive referral traffic from other industry sites
-
Establish trust and credibility
That’s why every serious CBD SEO company has a strong link-building strategy baked into their monthly campaigns.
Authority Over Quantity: What Really Matters
Not all backlinks are created equal.
While it might be tempting to buy hundreds of cheap links from spammy directories, those tactics don’t work anymore — and can actually hurt your site.
What truly matters is the quality of your links. A link from a cannabis-focused health blog is valuable. A mention in a national wellness publication is even better. But links from shady or irrelevant sites? They’re dangerous and counterproductive.
For CBD ecommerce SEO, you should focus on getting backlinks from:
-
Cannabis and wellness blogs
-
Industry news sites
-
High-quality directories related to health and alternative medicine
-
Suppliers or manufacturers in the CBD space
-
Authority websites offering guest post opportunities
Link-Building Challenges in the CBD Niche
Let’s be honest — link building in the CBD world is harder than in most other industries.
Many websites are hesitant to link to cannabis-related brands, and some platforms have blanket restrictions on anything CBD. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible — it just requires a smarter, more strategic approach.
You can overcome these challenges by:
-
Networking with cannabis bloggers and niche communities
-
Getting listed on supplier and directory sites that allow CBD
-
Creating high-value content that earns links naturally, like industry statistics, product guides, or educational blogs
-
Collaborating with influencers or journalists in the wellness or alternative medicine space
Working with a knowledgeable CBD SEO expert can give you access to link opportunities that most DIY efforts would never uncover.
How Backlinks Power Page Rankings
Google uses backlinks as one of its most important ranking signals. But how do backlinks actually help your CBD website?
First, they help Google discover your site. When a high-authority website links to yours, it signals to Google that your content is trustworthy and worth crawling.
Next, backlinks improve your domain authority. This increases your ability to rank for competitive terms across your site — not just the page that got the link.
Finally, backlinks increase your keyword visibility. The more relevant, contextual links pointing to your product and category pages, the higher those pages will climb in the search results.
This is why any proper CBD digital marketing services strategy always includes backlink building — because without authority, content alone doesn’t get seen.
Safe Link Building vs. Risky Shortcuts
Not all link-building strategies are safe — especially in a regulated industry like CBD. If you want long-term growth, you need to avoid black-hat shortcuts and shady link schemes.
Safe and effective strategies include:
-
Guest posting on reputable websites
-
Publishing link-worthy resources or blog content
-
Building relationships with publishers and influencers
-
Earning links naturally through press coverage and partnerships
Risky strategies to avoid include:
-
Link farms and bulk link services
-
Comment and forum spam
-
Link exchanges with irrelevant or spammy sites
-
Low-quality directories or blog networks
Focus on building links that make sense, not just links for the sake of it. Google is getting smarter, and the CBD industry already has enough challenges — don’t add penalties to the list.
Measuring the Impact of Your Backlinks
Once you’ve started building links, it’s important to track how they’re affecting your SEO performance.
Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console to:
-
Monitor new referring domains
-
Track changes in keyword rankings
-
Watch for spikes in organic traffic
-
Identify toxic links that need disavowing
A well-structured CBD brand marketing SEO campaign doesn’t just build links — it continuously audits and improves your backlink profile to ensure long-term success.
Final Thoughts
If you’re investing in content but ignoring backlinks, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful ranking factors in SEO.
Backlinks increase authority. Authority increases rankings. Rankings increase traffic. And traffic increases revenue.
CBD brands face more restrictions than most industries — but that just makes organic visibility even more important. You can’t rely on paid ads forever. You need a strong organic foundation that won’t vanish with one ad disapproval.
Backlinks are your edge. And working with a team that understands SEO for CBD gives you a real competitive advantage that compounds over time.
