HTTPS Ranking Signal Explained

Recently, Google introduced a new ranking signal: HTTPS. This update is designed to encourage webmasters to migrate their websites from HTTP to HTTPS by giving sites with HTTPS a slight boost in search engine rankings. But is this move truly beneficial for your website? And does it matter if your site doesn’t handle sensitive data, like e-commerce transactions or personal information?

Why HTTPS Matters for All Websites

Initially, HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) was mostly associated with e-commerce sites and those handling sensitive data like passwords and credit card information. However, in today’s digital landscape, security is vital for all websites, not just those involved in transactions.

Google’s push for HTTPS isn’t just about security for webmasters but also about creating a safer, more trustworthy web for users. Even if your site doesn’t collect personal data, an HTTPS certification assures your visitors that their connection to your site is secure, fostering trust and credibility. This can be a competitive advantage, especially when users are increasingly aware of online security.

Impact of HTTPS on Organic Rankings

Although the HTTPS ranking signal is considered minor compared to major Google algorithms like Panda or Penguin, every bit of optimization can make a difference. Google has stated that sites with HTTPS will experience a slight ranking boost. While it may not be as powerful as other ranking factors, in competitive industries where small improvements add up, this could give your website the edge it needs.

To further underscore the importance of security, it’s worth noting that Google introduced this change around the same time when high-profile breaches—like the celebrity iCloud hack—were making headlines. Security isn’t just an industry trend; it’s a priority for search engines and a crucial factor in how users perceive and interact with your site.

Key Steps for Migrating Your Site to HTTPS

If you’re considering making the switch to HTTPS, here are some essential steps to ensure a smooth transition and maintain your SEO performance:

1. Don’t Block Crawling of Your HTTPS Site Using robots.txt
   • Ensure that your HTTPS site is accessible to search engine crawlers. Blocking it with the robots.txt file could prevent your site from being properly indexed by Google.
2. Allow Indexing of Pages
   • Make sure that your HTTPS pages are available for indexing. Avoid using the noindex robots meta tag, which tells search engines not to index your pages.
3. Consistent Migration Across Your Site
   • Avoid a mix of HTTP and HTTPS pages. If only part of your site is migrated, Google will only apply the ranking boost to the pages that use HTTPS. This inconsistency could lead to confusion and missed opportunities for your site’s overall ranking.
4. Update and Resubmit Your Sitemap
   • After the migration, update your sitemap with the new HTTPS URLs and resubmit it to Google Search Console to ensure all pages are crawled and indexed correctly.
5. Use Google Search Console and SSL Testing Tools
   • After switching to HTTPS, you should set up your new HTTPS property in Google Search Console to monitor indexing and any potential issues. You can also run a test on your SSL server to verify its configuration using tools like SSL Labs.

Why HTTPS Is Important Beyond Rankings

The benefits of HTTPS extend beyond just rankings. HTTPS helps protect user privacy by encrypting the connection between the user’s browser and your site. It also guards against attacks like man-in-the-middle (MitM), where hackers can intercept information passed between the user and your site.

Moreover, users are more likely to trust a site that shows a secure padlock icon in the browser bar. In contrast, sites that are still on HTTP may display warnings like “Not Secure” in popular browsers, which could negatively impact user trust and even cause higher bounce rates.

Final Thoughts on HTTPS and SEO

While HTTPS is a relatively minor ranking signal, it’s part of a broader movement toward securing the web and enhancing user trust. Migrating to HTTPS can improve your site’s overall SEO performance and provide a better experience for your visitors. It’s a low-effort upgrade with high rewards, especially as more users become aware of online security issues.

If you need help migrating your website to HTTPS or have questions about SEO and other ranking signals, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Matrix Internet. We’re here to ensure your website stays optimized, secure, and competitive.