HTTP vs HTTPS 2024: How Security Affects Your SEO?

HTTP vs HTTPS; Why can one letter make a big difference for your website? This is especially true when it comes to being friends with Google.

Imagine HTTP is like sending a postcard — anyone can read it if they get their hands on it. HTTPS, on the other hand, is like sending a letter in a locked safe.

Much safer, right? Google prefers these “locked safes” because they keep everyone’s info secure.

So, if your website uses HTTPS, Google gives it a thumbs up, which can help more people find your site. It’s a win-win: you get more visitors, and they get a safer browsing experience.

Let’s get into how this security tweak can boost your website’s SEO and keep everyone happy.

What is HTTP?

Image credits: Youtube

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It’s the foundation of how data is shared on the web, basically the rules that allow your web browser and a website’s server to communicate.

When you visit a website, HTTP acts like a messenger that delivers your request to the website’s server and then brings the website’s data back to you.

Think of it as the language that your browser and the website speak to understand each other.

However, it’s important to note that HTTP is not secure by itself, which means any data sent between your browser and the website can potentially be seen or intercepted by others.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure.

It’s like the secure version of HTTP, which means it does pretty much the same job—helping your browser talk to websites—but with a twist: it adds a layer of security.

This security is like a protective envelope around the information your browser and a website share, keeping it safe from eavesdroppers.

It uses encryption to make sure that any data transferred between you and the website can only be read by the right recipient.

This is super important for keeping your personal information safe, especially when you’re shopping online or logging into websites.

So, whenever you see that little padlock icon next to a website’s address in your browser, it means you’re using HTTPS, and your info is being kept safe.

Difference Between HTTP vs HTTPS:

Aspect	HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)	HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
Security	Less secure as it doesn’t encrypt data.	More secure due to the use of SSL/TLS encryption to protect data. Adds a secure layer for better encryption of information.
Port	Uses port 80 by default.	Uses port 443 by default, indicating a separate mode of communication dedicated to encrypted data transfer.
Performance	Slightly faster due to no encryption overhead.	Slightly slower due to encryption and decryption processes, though this provides enhanced security.
Encryption	No encryption; data is sent in plain text.	Data is encrypted, securing it from eavesdroppers. Uses SSL/TLS for data transmission.
Use Case	Suitable for websites where security is not a critical concern.	HTTPS is recommended for all websites, especially those handling sensitive data. It follows the same protocols as HTTP but with an additional layer of security.
URL Prefix	URL begins with http://.	URL begins with https://. The “S” signifies the added security layer.
Data Protection	Vulnerable to man-in-the-middle and eavesdropping attacks.	Protects against such attacks, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. It’s HTTP with an extra layer of security.
Trust and Credibility	This may result in warnings in modern browsers, reducing trust.	Enhances trust and credibility, often accompanied by a padlock icon in the browser. The secure version is preferred for better encryption and trust.
SEO Impact	Considered less favorable by search engines.	Google and other search engines favor HTTPS, potentially improving SEO rankings due to its secure nature.
Certification	No certificates are required.	Requires an SSL/TLS certificate to be installed on the server, symbolizing the secure connection.
Protocol Similarity	The basic protocol for transmitting data over the web.	Pursues the same protocols as HTTP for data transmission but includes a secure layer (“S”) for enhanced security through SSL.

About SSL: The Role Of SSL!

It is common for people to mistake HTTPS and SSL as interchangeable terms, but they are, in fact, distinct. HTTPS is a secure feature that utilizes SSL to transmit data.

Both of them have different technicalities and can be rather complicated. Essentially, HTTPS works in tandem with SSL certificates (Secure Sockets Layer) to transfer data and enable uninterrupted communication.

This is accomplished in three ways, as outlined below:

1. Encryption of data: Transferred information and data are encrypted to enhance security.

2. Data integrity: Data cannot be distorted or corrupted during the transmission phase.

3. Authentication: Users are authenticated to communicate with the website correctly.

Furthermore, EV SSL certificates are authenticated for data transmission and information exchange.

The EV SSL certificate offers extended security with a green padlock in the URL’s address bar. This leads to a better understanding of the benefits of implementing HTTPS as a ranking factor for SEO.

Are There Any Concerns That Needs To Be Considered While Switching To HTTPS?

You should not really worry about switching from HTTP to HTTPS in terms of SEO, as Google has been telling webmasters that it is very secure.

However, one must go through some notions to make certain your traffic doesn’t suffer.

• You should check that Google crawls the site and redirects it to HTTPS. PS. Make sure that the robot.txt file is blocking HTTPS. When you redirect from HTTP to HTTPS, Google will count it as a “site move,” and your website traffic will be affected.
• Follow Google’s tips and best practices while switching to HTTPS.
• Settle on the kind of SSL certificate you need: single, multi-domain, or wildcard certificate.
• Use 2048-bit key certificates and relative URLs for resources.
• Make sure to use protocol-relative URLs for all other domains.
• Don’t block your HTTPS website from crawling and using robots.txt.
• Use Google’s updated Webmaster Tools to better handle HTTPS sites.
• Make sure to track your HTTP to HTTPS migration very cautiously in your analytics software.
• Allow search engines to index all pages wherever possible.
• Shun the no-index robots meta tag.
• Additionally, it’s recommended that you have a good read on a condensed introduction to HTTP/HTTPS and also some advice and tips on switching over to SSL/HTTPS.

FAQs

🔑 Why is HTTPS considered more secure than HTTP?

HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between a browser and a web server, protecting it from eavesdroppers and ensuring that any data transferred remains confidential and intact. This encryption is crucial for safeguarding sensitive transactions.

⏩ Does HTTPS affect website speed?

HTTPS can introduce a slight overhead due to encryption and decryption processes. However, with modern optimization techniques and faster hardware, this difference is becoming increasingly negligible.

📈 How does HTTPS affect SEO?

HTTPS is favored by search engines like Google. Websites using HTTPS are likely to benefit from a slight ranking boost, as secure sites are considered more trustworthy and reliable to visitors.

🔧 Do I need to do anything special to use HTTPS?

To enable HTTPS, you must obtain an SSL/TLS certificate and install it on your web server. This certificate verifies the website's identity and enables secure connections.

🔄 How do I switch my website from HTTP to HTTPS?

Switching to HTTPS involves obtaining an SSL/TLS certificate, configuring your web server to use the certificate, and ensuring that all website content is served over HTTPS. It's also important to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to maintain SEO rankings and ensure user security.

🛑 What happens if I visit an HTTP site?

Modern browsers typically display a warning when you visit an HTTP site, indicating that the connection is not secure. This is because HTTP does not encrypt the data transmitted, making it susceptible to interception or alteration.

💡 Can HTTP and HTTPS run on the same website?

Technically, a website can have both HTTP and HTTPS pages, but it's not recommended due to security risks. Best practices suggest redirecting all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to ensure a secure, encrypted connection for all users.

Quick Links:

• Understanding HTTP Cookies
• How To Use A Free SSL CERTIFICATE With Bluehost
• Best SSL Certificate Authorities & SSL Deals
• How Page Speed Affects SEO & Google Rankings
• What Are The Updates On Google Ranking Factors?

Conclusion: HTTP vs HTTPS

I hope that the article justifies the point of switching to HTTPS by installing an SSL certificate to gain better SEO rankings for your website.

If we look over SSL certificate types, it is a myth that a single type of SSL is enough for all websites.

You can select from different types of SSL, such as domain-level certificates, business validation certificates, code-signing certificates, and EV SSL certificates.

Overall, when we look at the future holistically, we consider what Google is likely to do with HTTPS.

Therefore, I recommend switching over to HTTPS ASAP to keep pace with Google.