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In a recent post by Google Webmaster Blog, Google has officially announced the inclusion of HTTPS as a ranking signal. This move has been seen both as Google is enforcing its dominance online and as paving the way to a safe and secure usage of surfing the internet.
What is HTTPS ?
Practically, have you ever seen a key sign followed by https:// on top left of your browser when searching in Google or PayPal for example? Well I guess so. Simply that means you are dealing with webpages that are secured and protected.
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol that add a security layer over a computer network. HTTPS is established with a Security Socket Level widely known as SSL. This technology is most used by companies operating in payment transactions. So, you can see it when you open a bank website URL or a E-commerce website, or a Brokerage company.
So, HTTPS or Transport Layer Security offers encryption and authentication for the websites and associated web server that make use of this technology. HTTP over TLS (other name of HTTPS) comes in to provide protection against wiretapping, man-in-the-middle, eavesdropping and tamping.
Who is going to benefit from this update?
Nowadays, everyone is looking to prioritize his or her security online. There are many breaches and hacks happening everyday on websites (rate of 30.000 hacks daily). I see the ones who are going to benefit the most – from setting HTTPS as a ranking signal – are internet users. Another beneficiary of this update will be the companies offering services in this technology. I have seen a large amount of SSL/ HTTPS ads erupted like a volcano as Google announce HTTPS as ranking signal.
Ad promotes SSL pricing and services as Google announced HTTPS as a ranking factor.
Also, both website owners and businesses are going to benefit from this update as they will gain more credibility, trustworthiness, and reliability from their customers. Add to that, Google will boost their ranking. At the end, Google will be top beneficiary as they announce HTTPS as a ranking signal. Google is depicting itself as a the King via leadership, dominance and rule.
What does HTTPS weight now?
Google made it so clear that HTTPS as a ranking signal will be strengthen with the coming days. This is a clear notice for webmasters and business owners to start thinking seriously of adopting Transport Layer Security (TLS). ”We give webmasters time to switch to HTTPS” quoted from Google Webmaster Central Blog.
For the time being, HTTPS weight can not be compared to other ranking factors such as unique content, SEO friendly website, site speed optimization, outbound and inbound links. Google confirms that HTTPS as a ranking signal is a vey lightweight signal affecting less than 1% of global queries.
What you should know ?
If you have a business and you do not have HTTPS in place on your website, it has come the time to consider this option. Things seem on its early stages! There are more updates and news to come to how to set up TLS, avoid errors and stick with best practices.
If you would like to start using HTTPS, mind the followings:
- Choose 2048-bit key certificates.(Strong HTTPS)
- Use for the same secure domain relative URL
- Your HTTPS site should not be blocked from crawling
- It is recommended to not use no-index robots tag. Allow visits and indexing from bots.
If you are interested in knowing more about tips to get started please check Google webmaster blog. If you have already adopted this technology and you want to check level of security and settings, performance, you may find these websites helpful :
1- https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/
Overview:
HTTPS has been tested as ranking signal in Google Search Algorithms with a promising results. This will open the doors to more adoptions of HTTPS that lead to more protection. The question imposes itself here is ”adopting HTTPS as ranking and security factors will be enough to maintain ranking, security and making the web even more safe? And how much weight that HTTPS will get among the list of over 200 ranking factors?
What do you think about Goolge inclusion of HTTPS as a ranking signal? Do you see this update plays against you or for you ? Please speak your mind in the comment section below.