If you’ve been investing in CBD SEO and still aren’t seeing much traction, you’re not alone. The truth is, most cannabis and hemp brands struggle with organic visibility — not because SEO doesn’t work, but because it’s done wrong.
The CBD space is competitive, highly regulated, and misunderstood by many marketers. If you’re wondering why your rankings are flatlined or why traffic isn’t converting, this article breaks down the biggest issues and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Treating CBD Like a Regular Industry
Let’s be real — the CBD industry isn’t like beauty, fitness, or even wellness. You can’t run PPC ads on most platforms, you face algorithmic red flags from Google and Meta, and your content is under more scrutiny.
Most generic agencies don’t know how to navigate this. They’ll apply cookie-cutter SEO strategies and wonder why nothing’s working.
You need CBD SEO services tailored to your space — with compliant content, niche backlinks, and keyword strategies designed to rank in this restricted environment.
Mistake #2: Thin Content or Compliance Issues
A lot of CBD sites are filled with either:
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Fluffy, shallow content that doesn’t answer user intent
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Or dense, technical copy that breaks compliance rules or gets flagged
You need to hit the sweet spot — educational, legally safe, and SEO-optimized.
Fix this by building a real CBD content marketing strategy that targets long-tail informational queries (like “Can I travel with CBD oil?” or “How does CBD help with pain?”), while gently linking back to your product pages.
Each blog post should feel like a mini-guide and help build your brand’s authority over time.
Mistake #3: No Structured Keyword Plan
Most CBD brands target the same generic terms:
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“Buy CBD oil”
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“Best CBD gummies”
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“CBD tinctures for sale”
These are ultra-competitive and nearly impossible to rank for unless your domain is years old with thousands of backlinks.
You need to build topical relevance first.
Try focusing on:
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Location-based queries (e.g. “CBD store in Austin TX”)
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Problem/solution queries (e.g. “CBD for sleep problems”)
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Buyer intent combinations (e.g. “THC-free CBD balm for athletes”)
This is where a CBD SEO expert can help — they’ll research and map keywords by funnel stage and intent, then plan your content calendar accordingly.
Mistake #4: Poor Internal Linking & Crawl Structure
Even with great content, your site won’t rank if Google can’t crawl and understand it. Poor internal linking, messy menus, orphan pages, or inconsistent slugs can all damage your SEO.
What to fix:
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Link blog posts to product and category pages
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Make sure your sitemap is submitted in Search Console
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Fix duplicate or near-duplicate content
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Keep URLs clean and consistent
This is part of your core CBD website optimization — and it directly impacts how Google ranks you.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Backlinks
Backlinks are still one of the top 3 Google ranking factors.
Yet many CBD brands:
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Never do outreach
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Have zero links to their blogs or product pages
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Rely on homepage links only
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Use shady backlink sellers
Without authority, your content can’t rise above the competition.
You need backlinks from:
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Relevant cannabis blogs
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Wellness or lifestyle influencers
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Product reviewers
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CBD business directories
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Editorial features in niche publications
This is where hiring a proper CBD SEO agency makes all the difference. They already know where to get links that move rankings — safely and consistently.
Mistake #6: Lack of Local Optimization
If you sell CBD products in physical locations, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to get organic traffic: local SEO for CBD companies.
Even if you primarily sell online, Google often prioritizes local listings — especially for mobile searches.
What to do:
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Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
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Get local citations (CBD directories, Chamber of Commerce, wellness sites)
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Ask happy customers to leave reviews
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Use location-based schema and meta tags
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Write geo-targeted blog posts
Local SEO has faster ROI than national, especially for new or smaller brands.
Mistake #7: Not Tracking or Adapting
Most CBD brands don’t even know what’s working. They either look at surface-level data (like total traffic) or nothing at all.
You should be tracking:
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Keyword rankings
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Bounce rate
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Blog engagement
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Organic conversions (sales, leads, calls)
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Traffic by landing page
Use Google Search Console, GA4, and tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. Better yet, let a CBD marketing agency handle it while you focus on fulfillment and growth.
Final Thoughts
The difference between a CBD brand stuck on page 4 and one dominating page 1 comes down to execution. Most brands make avoidable mistakes — like thin content, no backlinks, or poor keyword planning.
By addressing these seven issues and implementing smart, niche-specific strategies, you can break out of the invisible zone and start attracting consistent traffic and sales.
If you’re serious about long-term growth, it’s time to invest in SEO for CBD brands — with a partner that understands your industry, your customers, and what actually works in organic search.
