HTTPS / SSL Update (2014)

What Is the Google HTTPS/SSL Update Algorithm (2014)?

The Google HTTPS/SSL Update, rolled out in 2014, was a significant step in Google’s ongoing efforts to improve user security across the web. This update gave a ranking boost to websites that adopted HTTPS encryption (enabled by SSL certificates) over the traditional HTTP protocol.

This update marked the beginning of Google’s prioritization of web security and privacy, pushing webmasters to secure their sites by default. Google’s aim was to foster a safer web environment and protect sensitive user data by rewarding HTTPS-enabled sites with better rankings.

What Was the Purpose of the Google HTTPS/SSL Update (2014)?

The primary purpose of the Google HTTPS/SSL Update was to promote a shift toward safer browsing practices. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) ensures encrypted communication between a website’s server and the user’s browser, preventing malicious third parties from intercepting or tampering with data.

Key Objectives:

• Incentivize HTTPS adoption to safeguard user data.

• Improve web security, especially for websites that handle sensitive information (login credentials, credit card information, etc.).

• Lay the foundation for future SEO shifts, emphasizing site security as a ranking factor.

Google aimed to reward websites that made data protection a priority and set HTTPS as the standard for all websites.

Why Did Google Decide to Make HTTPS a Ranking Signal?

Google’s decision to make HTTPS a ranking signal was influenced by multiple factors reflecting concerns about data privacy and security:

1. Security Improvements: HTTPS ensures encryption, safeguarding sensitive user data (like passwords and payment info) from hackers and other threats.

2. Building User Trust: By rewarding HTTPS websites, Google aimed to enhance trust in the broader internet ecosystem, ensuring users felt confident sharing personal information online.

3. Regulatory Compliance: With rising regulations (like the EU’s GDPR), Google wanted to encourage compliance with privacy best practices.

4. Industry Standards: Major browsers like Chrome and Firefox were already prioritizing HTTPS, and Google followed suit to ensure consistency across the web.

This update set the stage for HTTPS as a key ranking signal, influencing future SEO strategies related to security and user experience.

How Did HTTPS/SSL Affect Website Rankings?

Impact on Rankings:

The Google HTTPS/SSL Update introduced HTTPS as a ranking signal, albeit initially a relatively minor one compared to established factors like content quality, backlinks, and site speed.

• Advantage for HTTPS websites: Websites with HTTPS encryption gained a ranking edge over those without it, especially in competitive industries like e-commerce, finance, and healthcare.

• Tiebreaker Signal: If two websites had similar content and backlinks, the HTTPS-enabled site would likely rank higher.

• Over time, HTTPS became more prominent, leading to stronger ranking advantages for secure sites.

What Does SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Mean in the Context of the Update?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a cryptographic protocol that establishes a secure connection between a website’s server and the user’s browser. SSL uses encryption to protect data transferred between the user and the website.

In the context of the HTTPS/SSL Update:

• SSL powers HTTPS: Websites using SSL certificates are able to switch from HTTP to HTTPS (the secure version).

• Visual Indicator: Users can identify HTTPS websites by the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar.

What Types of Websites Were Most Affected by the HTTPS Update?

The HTTPS/SSL Update impacted websites that handled sensitive data, where HTTPS encryption was essential for protecting user privacy.

Industries Most Affected:

1. E-commerce Websites: Online stores needed to protect users’ payment info, making HTTPS crucial for building trust and security.

2. Banking and Financial Websites: Sites offering online banking or payment services were required to implement HTTPS to protect financial transactions.

3. Healthcare Websites: Websites dealing with medical records and health-related data had to adopt HTTPS to comply with privacy regulations like HIPAA.

4. Login-Based Websites: Websites requiring login (e.g., social media, email services) needed HTTPS to secure user credentials.

Even non-sensitive websites (like blogs or news sites) benefited from HTTPS, though the ranking boost was less pronounced.

How Can Website Owners Implement HTTPS/SSL to Benefit from the Update?

Website owners could follow these steps to implement HTTPS and benefit from the ranking boost:

1. Obtain an SSL Certificate: This can be purchased from certificate authorities (CAs), which verify the website’s identity and secure communication.

2. Install the Certificate: The SSL certificate should be installed on the server, switching the site’s protocol from HTTP to HTTPS.

3. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS: Implement 301 redirects to automatically guide visitors from the HTTP version to the secure HTTPS version.

4. Update Internal Links: Ensure all internal links, images, and resources point to HTTPS versions to avoid mixed content errors.

5. Submit HTTPS Site to Google Search Console: This ensures the new HTTPS version of the site is crawled and indexed.

Did All Websites Benefit Equally from the HTTPS Update?

While the HTTPS ranking signal was a boost for many websites, its impact varied:

• E-commerce, banking, and healthcare websites saw the most significant benefits, as users expect secure transactions and are more likely to trust encrypted sites.

• Non-sensitive websites (e.g., blogs) saw a milder impact, but HTTPS adoption still helped build trust and improve SEO.

How Has the HTTPS Ranking Signal Evolved Since 2014?

Over time, Google has made HTTPS even more important:

1. Increased Weight: Initially, HTTPS was a minor ranking signal. As security became more critical, Google increasingly prioritized secure websites.

2. Chrome’s “Not Secure” Warning: In 2018, Google Chrome began flagging non-HTTPS websites with a “Not Secure” label, further encouraging HTTPS adoption.

3. Mobile-First Indexing: With the rise of mobile web usage, HTTPS became even more important for mobile rankings, especially with the introduction of mobile-first indexing.

Final Thoughts on HTTPS/SSL Update

The key takeaway from the HTTPS/SSL Update is that website security is now an essential component of SEO. To succeed, website owners must:

1. Prioritize HTTPS adoption to build user trust, enhance security, and improve SEO performance.

2. Understand that HTTPS is crucial for ranking in Google’s search results, especially in industries where user trust is paramount.

3. Stay compliant with security regulations and industry standards to future-proof their online presence.

The HTTPS/SSL update emphasized user privacy and data protection, making website security a foundational part of digital marketing and SEO strategies.