How Do I Get CBD Backlinks? Cannabis Link-Building Strategies

Building backlinks in the CBD niche? You’re dealing with strict ad regulations, intense competition, and a search engine landscape that’s tricky to crack. So, if you want to rank high and build authority, you need an airtight game plan with strategies that actually work.

In this guide, we’ll cover CBD link-building strategies, types of sites you should target and the pitfalls to avoid.

Let’s dive into practical steps you can start implementing today.

Why CBD Link Building is Essential for Growth

CBD has exploded as one of the fastest-growing health and wellness sectors. In 2020 alone, the global CBD industry was valued at nearly $1 billion, and it’s only getting more competitive.

With restrictive advertising rules limiting paid exposure, link building becomes one of the most critical ways for CBD brands to gain visibility, build authority, and drive targeted traffic.

CBD Link-Building Tactics That Work

1. Guest Blogging on Health and CBD Sites for Quality CBD Backlinks

How It Works: In a saturated niche like CBD, you can’t just pitch generic topics to any health blog. You need high-quality sites, unique pitches, and genuine value.

Action Steps:

Target Relevant Sites Only: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to find CBD, wellness, and health sites with a Domain Authority (DA) of at least 40.
Pitch Unique Topics: Avoid overdone topics like “CBD Guide for Beginners”. Instead, go deeper with pieces like “The Science of CBD for Muscle Recovery” or “Why CBD Helps with Sleep: Research and Facts.” Editors are more likely to accept valuable, fresh insights.
Strategic Link Placement: Any link back to your site should flow naturally. Place it in the author bio or within the article.

Pitfalls to Avoid: Skip low-DA or irrelevant sites, and don’t pitch generic content.

2. Creating Link-Worthy Content for CBD Backlinks That Stands Out

How It Works: Content is king, but link-worthy content is queen in the CBD niche. The market is flooded with basic guides, so to get attention and backlinks, you’ll need data-driven, original, and visually engaging content.

Action Steps:

Conduct Original Research: Surveys, studies, or unique data on topics like “CBD’s Role in Reducing Anxiety” add credibility and encourage other sites to link back to you.
Design High-Impact Infographics: Summarize complex topics in visual form.
Create In-Depth, Niche Guides: Dive deep into lesser-covered topics, like “How to Dose CBD for Different Health Needs” or “CBD vs. Traditional Pain Relief.” Make it thorough, evidence-backed, and easy to navigate.

Pitfalls to Avoid: Avoid rehashing existing content without adding new insights or data. People won’t link to content that doesn’t stand out.

3. Resource Page Outreach for CBD Link Building — Find High-Quality Pages Only

How It Works: Resource pages are lists of trusted resources on a specific topic. With a solid, educational CBD resource, health and wellness sites may link to you.

Action Steps:

Use Advanced Search Techniques: Use queries like “CBD resources,” “health resources + inurl:resources,” or “wellness resources” to find quality pages.
Prioritize Relevance and Authority: Target pages with DA 40 or higher. Outdated or cluttered resource pages aren’t worth the effort.
Personalized Outreach: Craft a concise email explaining why your content fits their resource list. Be clear on the value your link brings to their readers.

Pitfalls to Avoid: Don’t spend too much time on low-DA resource pages, they won’t add much authority. Only go for reputable, well-maintained lists.

4. Claiming Unlinked Mentions for Easy CBD Backlinks (Best for Established Brands)

How It Works: Sometimes, your brand is mentioned online without a link back to your site. Finding and requesting these links is one of the easiest ways to get quality backlinks.

Action Steps:

Set Up Alerts: Use Ahrefs, Google Alerts, or BuzzSumo to monitor mentions of your brand name, product names, or key personnel.
Reach Out Politely: If you find an unlinked mention, request a backlink in a short, friendly email.

This tactic works best for brands with some visibility. If you’re new, unlinked mentions may be non existent.

5. Partnering with Influencers for CBD Link Building — More for Brand Exposure

How It Works: Working with influencers can boost brand exposure and sometimes yield backlinks, especially if the influencer has a blog. Most, however, focus on social media, which doesn’t directly improve SEO.

Action Steps:

Identify Influencers with Blogs: Prioritize influencers in CBD or wellness with established websites or blogs.
Propose Content with Specific Angles: For example, “How [Your CBD Brand] Helped Me Sleep Better.” Specific use cases perform better than generic reviews.
Negotiate Blog Mentions: Make it clear you’d prefer a blog mention over social media only.

Pitfalls to Avoid: Don’t expect significant SEO benefits from social media posts alone. Work with influencers who have a blogging or site presence.

6. Submitting to CBD and Health Directories for Quality CBD Backlinks (Be Picky)

How It Works: Directory listings can be easy wins for backlinks — if you’re selective. Avoid low-quality directories that look like spam, as Google often penalizes these.

Action Steps:

Do a Quality Check: Only submit to directories with DA 30+ and actual traffic.
Submit a High-Quality Page: Instead of just linking to your homepage, link to a detailed guide or high-value page on your site.
Stick to Niche Directories: Directories that accept any type of product are often spammy. Look for CBD, wellness, or health-specific directories only.

Benefits of CBD Backlinks: Why They Matter

Increased Search Visibility: Backlinks signal trust to search engines, improving visibility in search results.
Better Brand Awareness: Links help you establish a credible online presence, which can set you apart from competitors.
Improved Domain Authority: With quality backlinks, your site’s authority increases, giving you a leg up in rankings.
Higher Website Traffic: Backlinks allow you to rank for more keywords and attract targeted traffic.
Boosted Sales: More traffic means more potential customers, which can lead to increased sales.

Types of Sites to Target for CBD Link Building

Here’s a breakdown of site types that offer high-quality links for CBD:

CBD Blogs and Influencers: Establishes visibility and builds authority, leading to better rankings and traffic.
News Websites: Covering broad topics, news links add authority and reach.
Medical Sites: Trusted health sites like WebMD or Medical News Today give a strong authority boost.
Lifestyle Blogs: Links from lifestyle-focused sites broaden your audience reach.

Mistakes to Avoid in CBD Link Building

To maximize the impact of your link-building strategy, here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Avoid links from low-authority or irrelevant sites.
Don’t link from plagiarized or low-quality content.
Skip sites with toxic backlink profiles.
Limit exact-match anchor text to avoid penalties.

Final Word: How to Succeed with CBD Link Building

The CBD industry is evolving quickly, and so is the need for effective link-building strategies.

Focusing on high-quality, niche-relevant links can boost your growth, elevate your brand, and keep you ahead of competitors.

If you’re looking for a reliable CBD link-building partner, our team specializes in tailored strategies to help your business grow. Reach out today to start building your brand’s authority the right way.