A lot of people have tried advertising CBD on Facebook, but their ads have been swiftly rejected, and the entire ad account shut down. Facebook’s public policies do not allow the sale of “illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs.” Even though CBD isn’t classified as a drug by many states across the country, Facebook still doesn’t allow CBD ads- directly at least.
To this point, many ads can make their way to promote CBD products indirectly but require some insights before this will work. To that point, we will dive into the topic of advertising CBD on Facebook and work to understand the reality of paid ads on the world’s largest social media network.
Unpacking Facebook’s Advertising Policy on CBD
Even though hemp-derived CBD is legal in a majority of states across the America, selected restrictions are in place:
- It cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, the component in weed that makes you high.
- It cannot be marketed as an additive to food or labeled as a dietary supplement
- Thirdly, since CBD is still under review by the FDA, sellers cannot make explicit claims about their products’ therapeutic benefits before first getting the agency’s approval.
Bringing this back to Facebook ad campaigns for CBD, there is no simple answer to justify the difficulties of advertising CBD on the world’s biggest social network. The ironic thing about this whole issue is that Facebook doesn’t mention CBD anywhere in its public ad guidelines.
However, it has an internal policy that bans CBD ads and other ingestible hemp products explicitly. Facebook’s hidden rule stretches beyond the US legal requirements, and even for first-time offenders, the consequences are harsh. CBD sellers have had their Facebook ad accounts permanently deleted.
To avoid being stuck by Facebook, you can still run CBD ads on Facebook but with vague descriptions of your products without naming them or mentioning CBD. Facebook says its rules relating to CBD advertising are subject to change.
The policies change over time as well. With the right context, this is completely understandable since cannabis was illegal in every state in the country for only a decade ago. That’s a huge difference from today where many states have legalized adult use of cannabis and dozens have implemented some form of medical marijauna. Therefore, Facebook continues to gather input on their policies and how transparent they can be.
Facebook has silently shown a trend of discriminating against CBD brands. Many have had their pages shut down, but since Facebook is not government-regulated, there is nothing much you can do, unless you sue. Facebook may be the primary market for hooking potential customers, but with their discrimination, CBD sellers are forced to look for alternatives.
Advertise CBD on Facebook with Caution
Unlike Facebook, other platforms make their CBD ads policies public. Facebook ad policies for CBD products are not well-understood, and some people promise to teach how to navigate them, even though at high fees. When you violate Facebook policies, you can lose your ad privileges or get locked out of Facebook. You can lose all that you have worked hard for.
However, a lot of complaints about the ad policy against CBD has forced Facebook to begin opening up for more advertising of CBD. Facebook’s ban on CBD advertising led to a lawsuit that alleged deceptive ad practices. Consequently, Facebook has now relaxed its outright ban on CBD products. Ads for topical hemp are now allowed across Facebook. Advertisers can run ads that direct buyers to landing pages that feature ingestible hemp and topical CBD. However, the ads can’t expressly point at those products since Facebook still prohibits ads for ingestible CBD, including ads that direct to landing pages with those products.
Even though Facebook loosened their restrictions on CBD advertising a little bit, this doesn’t mean that every ad that meets the new guidelines will be automatically approved. Facebook’s change of heart comes in the wake of CBD’s approval by drug stores, and it enters new categories such as beauty brands and even pet care brands.
Despite the milestones that have been made to end the prohibition of marijuana, Facebook still treats it like contraband. This may continue to be the policy until there is federal regulatory change. Even then, with Facebook being a global company, it may take many nations legalizing CBD before the company openly allows it to be advertised on their network.
Navigating Through Facebook’s CBD Ad Policy
CBD advertisers will be happy to know that they can promote CBD products without getting removed from the Facebook network permanently.
Tips and tricks to avoid having your CBD ad removed from Facebook:
- Avoid using the term CBD in your domain name.
- Create a new Facebook account. Do not mention CBD or cannabidiol anywhere on the page.
- Get rid of any CBD-related keywords from your website.
- Devise creative ways of explaining your CBD products to consumers. Using CBD images isn’t a problem.
- Create a Facebook ad that doesn’t mention CBD in the ad copy or image. It would be best if you focused on the benefits of whatever product you are selling.
- Target an audience that’s interested in hemp oil
- Launch your compliant CBD campaign.
Now that it’s a hassle advertising CBD on Facebook, as an entrepreneur, you need to figure out different ways of marketing your product. Some of the marketing ideas are:
- Attract CBD leads with SEO
You can decide to use your website to promote your product. With this, you have total power over your advertising space. Research different ways in which people look for CBD products, questions they ask, the niche your product is in, and the people that are most interested in your product. By doing this, you will come up with an effective SEO strategy.
- Market with CBD affiliates
Create leads through CBD listings on Amazon and other sites that target products for resale. Affiliate marketing is more of influencer marketing but on a larger scale. The difference is that rather than paying someone else to promote your product, you create a hub that anyone can join. You provide your affiliates with a unique URL, and they can support your item over the internet.
- Get an influencer to talk about your product.
When your following is enormous, you can introduce your product to those who haven’t heard about it yet. Do proper research on the kind of market the specific influencer has.
- Remember your current customers.
Don’t forget people who are already supporting you by buying your product. Have an updated customer email list and contact them whenever you have new products and high sales. Offer incentives to referrals and show your customers how much you value them.
- Collaborate with a CBD Ad agency
This is one of the marketing strategies. Your brand is as important as your business growth. An agency will help you navigate the world of CBD marketing online. A reputable agency can help your brand get visibility where you need it most. This will turn into more sales and conversions.
The pressure for Facebook to open up and expand their advertising policy is on the rise. The CBD market is rapidly growing, and soon, Facebook will have no alternative but to allow its advertising. The projected statistics show a promising and attractive future for the CBD compound.
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About Cannabound
Cannabound is the leading cannabis & CBD marketing agency. Cannabound works with top cannabis brands to boost brand growth through influencers, publishers, SEO, PPC, and paid advertising.
