> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.canoa.supply/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.canoa.supply/docs/for-brands/setting-up-product-backlinks.md).

# Setting up product backlinks

#### **Setting Up Product Backlinks**

Product backlinks let you direct designers from your Canoa catalog straight to your website—whether that’s a product detail page, rep form, or a curated landing page. This gives you full control over the next step in the customer journey and allows you to track designer engagement using your own analytics tools.

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**🔗 What is a backlink?**

A **backlink** is a hyperlink embedded in your Canoa product listing that leads to a URL you control. It’s typically a product page on your website, but you can also link to:

* Contact forms
* Custom spec request pages
* Digital cut sheets
* Campaign or landing pages

> 📌 These links only appear in **public** product listings. Private catalogs do not support external backlinks.

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**🎯 Why backlinks matter**

1. **They drive high-intent traffic.**\
   Designers are discovering your products mid-specification. That means clicks from Canoa are often moments away from purchase decisions or deeper inquiries.
2. **You control the destination.**\
   Unlike marketplaces that trap users inside their own UI, Canoa sends them to your website. You decide what they see next.
3. **You can track performance.**\
   Add UTM parameters to your links to track Canoa as a distinct source inside tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or HubSpot.

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**🛠 How to add backlinks**

There are two ways to assign backlinks to your products:

**✅ Option 1: Manual CSV Upload**

1. Open your product spreadsheet.
2. Add a column called `product_url`.
3. For each row, enter the destination URL.
   * Example:\
     `https://yourbrand.com/lounge-chair-001?utm_source=canoa&utm_medium=referral`
4. Save and upload the file through the Brand Dashboard.

**✅ Option 2: API Sync**

If you manage your catalog via API, include a `product_url` field in your schema. Reach out to your dev team or Canoa support for field mapping guidance.

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**📏 Best practices**

* Use **clean, campaign-ready URLs** with UTM tags like:\
  `?utm_source=canoa&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=spring_launch`
* Link to **pages optimized for designers** (e.g., with downloadable assets, lead times, rep contact info)
* Avoid general homepage links—they dilute tracking and confuse the user
* **Test** your URLs before publishing to ensure they resolve correctly

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**❓ FAQs**

**Do backlinks apply to private catalogs?**\
No. Only public product listings can include backlinks.

**Can I change a link after publishing?**\
Yes. Simply re-upload your CSV with an updated URL, or update it via API.

**Does Canoa track clicks for me?**\
Not currently. You own the link and can track visits using your existing analytics setup.