SSL stands for secure Sockets Layer. It is a protocol or standard security technology used for establishing an encrypted/secure link between a server and a client. Where client is commonly a web server (website). HTTPS is also called HTTP over TLS, HTTP over SSL, and HTTP Secure.
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Importance of HTTPS and SSL in SEO
Google officially announced HTTPS as a ranking signal on August 06, 2014. SEO community started adopting as it is. There are many explanations and assumptions over this decision. Some people were not convinced with this announcement. They started saying Google always run on monopoly. Many of new SEOs are may not aware of this. But here is my simple explanation why it is best approach for SEOs in search engine ranking.
HTTPs has become one of the important on Page SEO factor nowadays. Google as a search engine market leader always take initiative for innovations and implementations. It’s main objective revolves around users and their experience. We also aware that every days many websites are compromised with malware, spywares, viruses and dangerous scripts. Google or any other search engines can’t crawl and identify possible online threats on any website. Browsing a website which run on HTTPS with valid SSL certificate and better encryption is always good for users.
A good quality secure website with high quality content will always rank higher in search engines. There are many exceptions as well in Google’s ranking. No search engine or website is 100% perfect. There are always an space for improvement.
HTTPS/SSL is most important for websites/portals which capture payments online. It is not important for blogs and website which store user’s data. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) allows sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials to be transmitted securely.
Guys don’t expect HTTPS/SSL to act as a big hammer to bang your website ranking. If SERPs (search engine result pages) ranking are your only concern, there are number of things you can do to improve your website rankings.
How HTTPS and SSL Works
SEO checklist to maintain search engine rankings
- Make sure every website element uses HTTPS, including java scripts, CSS files, image URLs and third party and CDN (content delivery network)
- Use canonical tags point to the HTTPS version of the URL. (Read more about Canonical Tag Tips)
- Avoid using absolute file URL in Images and CSS and use relative paths
- Use 301 permanent redirects to point all HTTP URLs to HTTPS
- Register the HTTPS version in Google’s search console and Bing Webmaster Tools
- Update Sitemap.xml and robots.txt files (Read more about XML Sitemap Tips and Robots.txt tips)
- Update and upload disvow file for disavowed URLs in Google’s search console