Impact of HTTPS on SEO: Boost your Website's security
Security has become a major concern for website owners and users in the digital age. With cyber threats rising, ensuring a secure connection between a user's browser and a web server is very important. In this digital era impact of HTTPS on SEO: Boost your Website's security and grow your business.
HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is a protocol that ensures this secure connection. However, beyond security, HTTPS significantly impacts SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Let's explore the impact of HTTPS on SEO for website visibility and ranking.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS is an extension of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). It is used for securely transmitting data over the Internet. Unlike HTTP, which transmits data in plain text, HTTPS encrypts data using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security). This encryption ensures that sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details, remains private and protected from malicious attacks.
Google's Preference for HTTPS
Google has long emphasized the importance of website security. In 2014, Google announced that HTTPS would be considered a ranking signal, meaning that websites using HTTPS would have an advantage in search rankings over those using HTTP. This was a clear indication that Google was prioritizing user safety and encouraging website owners to adopt HTTPS in the past.
Google has clarified that site security and HTTPS protocols do not influence the indexing of a website. While they are a minor ranking factor, they do not impact whether a site is included in the search index.
How do the SSL certificates work?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates work by establishing a secure, encrypted connection between a user's browser and a website's server. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, the browser first checks the certificate's authenticity by verifying it against a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Once the SSL certificate is validated, the browser and server initiate an encrypted session using a process called the SSL handshake.
During this process, the server provides a public key, which the browser uses to create a session key for encrypting data. This ensures that all data exchanged between the user and the website remains private and secure, protecting it from eavesdropping or tampering by malicious entities. SSL certificates are crucial for maintaining the integrity of data and are the foundation for enabling HTTPS, the secure version of HTTP.
Join the business club (1k+ members) and get marketing services on a monthly basis.
Does HTTPS work as a ranking factor?
HTTPS works as a ranking factor by enhancing the security of a website, which aligns with Google's broader goal of providing a safer web experience for users. When a website uses HTTPS, the data exchanged between the site and its visitors is encrypted, making it more difficult for third parties to intercept or tamper with the information. Google rewards this added layer of security by giving HTTPS-enabled sites a slight ranking boost in its search results.
Although the ranking impact of HTTPS alone might not be substantial, it contributes to the overall SEO health of a site, especially when combined with other best practices. Implementing HTTPS can improve visibility in search engines, user trust, and potentially higher conversion rates.
Improved search rankings
One of the most significant impacts of HTTPS on SEO is the potential for improved search rankings. While HTTPS is considered a "lightweight" ranking signal, it can still make a difference, especially in competitive niches. Websites that implement HTTPS are more likely to rank higher than their HTTP counterparts, all other factors being equal.
Enhanced user trust and experience
HTTPS not only affects SEO but also plays a crucial role in building user trust. When users visit a website and see the padlock symbol in the address bar, they are more likely to trust the site with their personal information. This trust can lead to higher engagement rates, lower bounce rates, and, ultimately, better SEO performance. A secure website provides a positive user experience, which is a key factor in Google's ranking algorithm.
Preventing 'not secure' warnings
In addition to ranking benefits, HTTPS helps prevent "Not Secure" warnings in browsers. Starting in 2018, Google Chrome began displaying these warnings on HTTP websites, particularly on pages with forms that collect user data. These warnings can deter users from interacting with your site, leading to higher bounce rates and negatively impacting your SEO. By using HTTPS, you avoid these warnings and ensure a smooth user experience.
HTTPS and Mobile-first indexing
With the rise of mobile internet usage, Google has shifted to mobile-first indexing, where the mobile version of a website is prioritized in search rankings. HTTPS plays a crucial role in this context as well. Mobile users are particularly concerned about security, and a secure connection can enhance the user experience on mobile devices. Websites that prioritize mobile security with HTTPS are better positioned in Google's mobile-first index.
Safeguarding referrer data
Another SEO benefit of HTTPS is the preservation of referrer data. When traffic moves from an HTTPS site to an HTTP site, the referral data is lost, and the visit appears as "direct" traffic in analytics. However, when traffic moves from one HTTPS site to another, the referral data is preserved. This accurate tracking of referral data is essential for understanding the sources of your traffic and optimizing your SEO strategy.
Last Words
The adoption of HTTPS is no longer optional for website owners who are serious about SEO. Beyond securing data and building user trust, HTTPS offers noticeable benefits in search rankings, user experience, and data tracking. As search engines continue to prioritize security, making the switch to HTTPS is a strategic move that can enhance your website's visibility and performance in search engine results.
If you haven't yet made the transition to HTTPS, now is the time to do so and stay ahead in the competitive digital market. American Best IT Ltd. can help you to manage your website security and performance. We can ensure that your website is not only secure but also optimized for success in the search engine rankings.
"Yeah, that's wrong. HTTPS is not a factor in deciding whether or not to index a page, at all. We do use HTTPS as a light-weight ranking factor, and having HTTPS is great for users. A free certificate from Let's Encrypt works just as well.
- John (@JohnMu) January 29, 2019"