Google Webmaster Central Blog released a new bulletin last week reinforcing their commitment to Internet Security as a whole. Google have been leading by example ensuring that all their sites and services are provided on connections with strong HTTPS encryption as well as providing webmasters with information on how to prevent and fix security breaches on their own site.
Google are now pushing for all websites to adopt HTTPS connections by using HTTPS as a ranking signal in their search results. Presently the HTTPS ranking signal is only a lightweight indicator “affecting fewer than 1% of global queries, and carrying less weight than other signals such as high-quality content”. Google hinted that the HTTPS ranking signal will remain low for some time to allow sites time to adopt safer web practices but will probably be strengthened over time making it more important.
Historically most webmasters consider eCommerce sites as the only sites that require secure connections. Google called for HTTPS everywhere in a talk at the Google I/O 2014 conference arguing that even the seemingly harmless metadata available on simple blogging sites or recipe sites can be used for malicious purposes when put together over time to create a fuller picture about a user.
So what does this HTTPS SEO mumbo jumbo really mean? In short it is just another ranking factor in a long list of items that we need to tick off when attending to a client’s SEO. You are unlikely to see an immediate jump in rankings by simply installing an SSL certificate onto your site, however if Google has outwardly stated that it is a ranking factor that might increase in importance over time, then all webmasters would be mad not to heed their advice.
Give us a call on 07 3325 0505 and we can purchase and install the SSL certificate onto your site for only $199 (Ex GST).
