Can you advertise CBD on Google Ads is one of the most searched questions in the CBD industry.
The confusion exists because CBD is legal in many places, widely sold online, and heavily marketed on social media, yet Google Ads applies far stricter rules.
The answer is not a simple yes or no. You cannot advertise most CBD products directly, but some hemp-derived and CBD-related products can be promoted if they meet very specific criteria.
Google treats CBD as a high-risk category because of its close association with cannabis, health claims, and regulatory uncertainty.
Even when a product is legal under local law, it can still be disallowed for advertising purposes.
This means CBD brands must design their marketing strategy around compliance first, not just legality.
Understanding Google’s policy is the only way to avoid rejected ads, suspended accounts, or wasted advertising spend.
For SEO purposes, this article answers exactly what businesses want to know when they search “can you advertise CBD on Google Ads” by breaking down what is allowed, what is not, and how to stay compliant.
Why Google Restricts CBD Advertising
Google restricts CBD advertising because it wants to avoid promoting anything that could be interpreted as a drug, supplement, or medical treatment without proper regulation.
CBD is frequently marketed with claims related to pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep improvement, and inflammation.
Those types of claims place a product in a medical category, which Google tightly controls.
CBD is also connected to cannabis, even when the product is derived from hemp and contains no THC.
This association alone triggers stricter enforcement.
Google’s policies are global. They are not based on whether CBD is legal in your country or state.
They are based on what Google considers safe and low-risk for advertising worldwide. This is why a product can be sold legally but still be blocked from advertising.
Main reasons Google restricts CBD ads include:
- Risk of unproven health or medical claims
- Association with cannabis and THC
- Inconsistent international regulations
- Consumer safety concerns
- Lack of pharmaceutical approval
These restrictions exist to protect users, not to punish businesses.
But for CBD brands, they create major advertising challenges.
Other Ways to Advertise CBD Products
Advertising your CBD brand on a directory and industry-specific news platform, like Puff Board, is one of the best ways to generate orders and position your brand as a market leader.
Puff Board accepts banner ads, sponsored posts and other advertising options. To enquire about this, you can send an email to contact@puffboard.com.
What CBD Products Are Not Allowed On Google Ads
Most CBD products cannot be advertised on Google Ads under any circumstances.
Anything that is ingestible is automatically disallowed.
Anything that is marketed as therapeutic or medicinal is also disallowed.
This includes both human and pet products.
Examples of prohibited CBD products include:
- CBD oils and tinctures
- CBD gummies and edibles
- CBD capsules
- CBD drinks and beverages
- CBD vape products
- CBD flower or raw hemp
- CBD pet supplements
- CBD products for pain, anxiety, sleep, or inflammation
Even if your website contains disclaimers saying the product is not a medicine, Google still looks at how the product is positioned.
If the product can be swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed for health purposes, it will be rejected.
If your landing page mentions relief, treatment, support, healing, or symptoms, it will also be rejected.
This is where most CBD advertisers fail.
They focus on legality but ignore Google’s advertising classification system.
What CBD-Related Products Can Be Advertised
Google does allow limited advertising for certain hemp-derived products that are not considered drugs, supplements, or medicines.
These products must meet strict criteria.
They must be non-ingestible.
They must contain zero THC.
They must not make any medical, therapeutic, or pharmaceutical claims.
They must be marketed as cosmetic or lifestyle products.
Products that may be eligible include:
- Hemp-based skincare creams
- Hemp-derived shampoos and soaps
- Hemp cosmetic products
- Hemp seed oil skincare
- Non-medicated topical products
- CBD-free hemp wellness items
Even when a product fits these rules, approval is not guaranteed.
Google often requires advertisers to apply for certification and provide documentation proving:
- THC content is zero
- The product is hemp-derived
- The product is not ingestible
- The product makes no medical claims
Key conditions for eligibility:
- Product must be cosmetic or lifestyle focused
- No health or medical language anywhere on the site
- No references to treating conditions
- No references to anxiety, pain, sleep, or inflammation
- No mention of “CBD benefits”