HTTPS encryption is not only a good addition to the website, it plays an important role in search rankings.
HTTPS makes it safer for users to visit websites, and this additional layer of security is highly valued by Google.
If there is any doubt about whether HTTPS is a ranking factor, this chapter will clarify everything.
Here is what you need to know about HTTPS and its relationship to search.
Disclaimer: HTTPS is a ranking factor
It is said that when a website uses HTTPS encryption, its search ranking will be higher than that of the HTTP website.
One of the foundations of this statement is that Google rewards websites that provide a good user experience, and enhancing security is a way to make websites better serve users.
advertise
Keep reading below
This statement also stems from the fact that Google’s Chrome browser displays a warning before the user visits a non-HTTPS website. This warning is enough to make even the least proficient in SEO realize that Google treats HTTPS differently.
In addition, some claim that the strength of the HTTPS ranking signal can vary from one extreme to the other.
We will address all these claims in the next section and learn the truth through the evidence provided by Google.
Evidence: HTTPS as a ranking factor
Evidence of HTTPS as a ranking factor can be traced back to August 2014.
Google release A blog post Announcing that HTTPS has become a signal of its search ranking algorithm.
advertise
Keep reading below
“… In the past few months, we have been running tests to consider whether the site uses a secure, encrypted connection as a signal in our search ranking algorithm. We have seen positive results, so we started using HTTPS as a ranking Signal.”
When this update was first introduced, Google stated that HTTPS would become a “lightweight” ranking signal.
To this day, this still seems to be the case. Gary Illyes of Google said that the idea of increasing the ranking signal has been discussed, but the team Decided against.
However, this does not mean that website owners should treat HTTPS as a non-priority. Elis advises The signal “affected enough queries measurably that I would not ignore it.”
HTTPS as a ranking factor: our judgment
HTTPS is a confirmed Google ranking factor.
It is said that the HTTPS ranking signal has little impact and is usually referred to as the “decisive game” signal.
advertise
Keep reading below
This means that HTTPS can make a difference in the ranking position between two relatively equal sites.
That being said, website owners should not underestimate Google’s appreciation for a good user experience.
Google attaches great importance to HTTPS, so it is another component of the ranking signal.this Page experience signal Many user experience factors are considered, one of which is HTTPS.
In theory, websites can benefit from HTTPS and page experience ranking improvements. This transforms the lightweight signal into a stronger signal.
Although this is a definite ranking factor, keep in mind that HTTPS sites may still rank higher than HTTP sites.
advertise
Keep reading below
When it comes to search rankings, relevance is the key. If the content most relevant to the query is on a non-HTTPS site, it may rank ahead of the encrypted site.
Even considering all the benefits of HTTPS, it is not a panacea. If a website ranks poorly from the start, HTTPS will not fast track it to the first page of Google.
In other words: HTTPS is not all search rankings, ultimately, but it is a factor. Most importantly, Google recommends it.
Featured image: Paul Bobita
