HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s the secure version of HTTP, the protocol used to transfer data between your browser and the website you’re visiting.
When a website uses HTTPS, it means the communication between your device and the site is encrypted. This protects your data from being intercepted, altered, or stolen by hackers or third parties.
You can easily identify HTTPS in action by checking the URL in your browser—it will start with https://, and most modern browsers will show a padlock icon next to it.
What Makes HTTPS Secure?
The “S” in HTTPS stands for Secure, and it’s made possible by SSL/TLS encryption.
When you visit a website that uses HTTPS:
- A secure handshake is initiated between your browser and the server.
- A digital certificate is presented to confirm the site’s identity.
- A secure encryption channel is established.
- All data transmitted (such as passwords, forms, payment info) is encrypted.
This process ensures that even if someone intercepts the data, it’s unreadable without the decryption key.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | HTTP | HTTPS |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (SSL/TLS) |
| Security | Basic | Strong |
| SEO Benefit | None | Yes |
| URL Prefix | http:// | https:// |
| Browser Padlock | ❌ | ✅ |
| Trust Signals | Weak | Strong |
In short, HTTPS protects users, improves site trust, and gives website owners a competitive advantage in SEO.
Why HTTPS Matters for SEO
Google has publicly stated that HTTPS is a ranking signal. While it’s a relatively minor factor compared to content quality or backlinks, it still provides a real SEO advantage.
Here’s why HTTPS helps with SEO:
- Google Favourability
Sites with HTTPS are more likely to be trusted and indexed properly. Google prioritises security and has even labelled HTTP sites as “Not Secure” in Chrome. - User Trust
HTTPS improves trust. Visitors are more likely to stay on and convert when they see the padlock icon and know their data is safe. - Referral Data in Google Analytics
With HTTPS, you get cleaner referral data. If someone visits your HTTPS site from another HTTPS site, that referral source will be preserved. - Prevention of Content Injection
On HTTP sites, ISPs or hackers can inject ads or malicious code. HTTPS prevents this, maintaining content integrity.
How to Get HTTPS for Your Website
To enable HTTPS on your site, you need an SSL/TLS certificate. These can be:
- Free (e.g., Let’s Encrypt)
- Paid (comes with warranties and extra validation)
Here’s the general process:
- Purchase or request an SSL certificate.
- Install the certificate on your web hosting server.
- Update your website links to
https://. - Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS (via 301 redirects).
- Update your sitemap and canonical URLs.
- Verify the HTTPS version in Google Search Console.
It’s best to do this with the help of your web host or developer to avoid misconfiguration.
Types of SSL Certificates
There are several types of SSL/TLS certificates based on validation level:
- Domain Validated (DV)
- Basic security
- Confirms domain ownership
- Fast and free (e.g., Let’s Encrypt)
- Organization Validated (OV)
- Verifies domain and business identity
- Recommended for small businesses
- Extended Validation (EV)
- Highest level of trust
- Shows company name in browser
- Ideal for ecommerce and large enterprises
Common HTTPS Implementation Mistakes
Even though HTTPS is essential, improper setup can cause SEO and user experience issues. Watch out for:
- Mixed content errors (loading HTTP resources on HTTPS pages)
- No 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS
- Missing canonical tag updates
- Outdated internal links
- Unverified HTTPS version in Google Search Console
- SSL certificate expiration
Any of these can confuse search engines, hurt performance, or lead to security warnings in browsers.
How to Check If a Site Uses HTTPS
You can verify HTTPS in a few simple ways:
- Look for
https://in the browser address bar. - Check for a padlock icon in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
- Use tools like:
- SSL Labs (to scan certificate strength)
- Chrome DevTools > Security tab
- Site audit tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or Semrush
Does Every Website Need HTTPS?
Yes—every website should use HTTPS, regardless of whether it’s collecting sensitive information or not.
Even simple blogs or informational pages can:
- Be vulnerable to data injection
- Lose visitor trust due to “Not Secure” warnings
- Miss out on SEO opportunities
Moreover, modern web standards, browsers, and Google’s indexing systems are built with HTTPS in mind. Not having it today means falling behind.
HTTPS and Core Web Vitals
Google’s Page Experience update includes HTTPS as one of its key signals, alongside mobile-friendliness and Core Web Vitals. This means a secure connection is now essential for ranking and visibility in organic search.
FAQs
Q: Is HTTPS mandatory for SEO?
A: Technically, no. But it is a confirmed ranking signal, and not having it can negatively affect user trust and search visibility.
Q: Is a free SSL certificate enough?
A: For most websites, yes. Free certificates like Let’s Encrypt provide the same level of encryption as paid ones. Paid certificates are better for ecommerce and corporate sites that need identity verification.
Q: What is mixed content, and how do I fix it?
A: Mixed content happens when a secure HTTPS page loads insecure HTTP resources (like images or scripts). Use tools or browser console logs to find and replace these URLs.
Q: Will switching to HTTPS hurt my rankings?
A: Not if done properly. If you use 301 redirects and update internal links, rankings will typically stay the same or improve.
Q: How often do I need to renew SSL certificates?
A: Most certificates are valid for 90 days (Let’s Encrypt) or 1 year (paid). Make sure you renew or auto-renew before they expire.
Conclusion
HTTPS is no longer optional—it’s a standard requirement for running a secure, trustworthy, and SEO-friendly website. Whether you manage a personal blog or an ecommerce platform, switching to HTTPS protects your users, builds trust, and gives your site a small boost in the search rankings. With free SSL options and modern hosting support, there’s no reason not to make your site secure today.