On August 6th, 2014, Google released an algorithm update requiring websites to secure their domain with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that change the Hypertext Transfer Protocol “HTTP” to “HTTPS.” This critical algorithm update is Google’s push to enforce domain security and protect visitors with secured website transactions.
What Is the Difference Between HTTP vs HTTPs SEO?
What is HTTP?
HTTP (http://) stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is the method of communication between a web browser and the server that stores information about webpages we access. HTTP is the protocol used when a computer’s browser tries to communicate with the World Wide Web (WWW). HTTP makes the connection to retrieve the website a visitor types into the browser.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS (https://) is the secure way to access the World Wide Web through a browser with the add-on of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Think of it as adding a lock to a door, and only the person requesting access has the key.
Securing Websites with HTTPS
When a browser and the server exchange information, they transcribe codes into an encoded language. This encoded language can only be interpreted by the two parties exchanging this secured information. Websites using HTTPS are less prone to hackers and can keep customers’ information safe, such as personal data and payment records.
What is an SSL Certificate?
HTTP combines with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate to create a secure communication channel between a browser and the requested server. For the secured transcription to happen, an SSL certificate containing encrypted code is required from both the browser and the server.
SSL Certificate is much like the key to open the lock of HTTPS in order for the recipient to understand the encrypted language. The server owns the key and shares it with any browser that needs to access information from this server.
How to Purchase an SSL Certificate
Most managed web hosting services offer options to purchase SSL certificate. For example, you can receive a free SSL certificate when purchasing managed web hosting service through WPEngine for WordPress websites.
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Types of SSL Certificates
SSL certificates come in different varieties, with the most widely used being the shared SSL certificate. Here is a high-level introduction to the most common types of SSL certificates you may encounter.
5 Different Types of SSL Certificates Explained
Shared SSL Certificate
This is the most commonly used SSL certificate by major managed web hosting providers. This type of certificate provides a shared SSL for websites on a multi-tenant server (shared server). It is a cost-effective solution for small businesses and content creators who are just getting started.
Single SSL Certificate
Single SSL certificate services a single domain. It is suitable for small business websites that are not extremely data-heavy but wish to have their own SSL certificate to service a specific domain.
Multi-Domain SSL Certificate
Multi-domain SSL certificate services multiple domains under one ownership. For example, if a business purchased multiple domains, a multi-domain SSL certificate can be leveraged to cover all the domains owned by a single business. Many eCommerce or service provider companies that handle a large number of online transactions utilize this type of certificate.
Dedicated SSL Certificate
A dedicated SSL certificate services a specific domain with a dedicated IP address. It is the most secure solution for large enterprises, but it can get very expensive. A dedicated SSL certificate offers more complex services and protection than other types of SSL certificates.
Wildcard SSL Certificate
A wildcard SSL certificate is a hybrid solution between a shared SSL and a dedicated SSL, depending on the server setup. The Wildcard certificate is ideal for websites that want to utilize and operate a single SSL certificate across multiple subdomains.
Top 7 Technical Tips from Google to Optimize HTTPS SEO
Here are seven essential technical tips from Google Search Central that optimizes HTTPS SEO.
- Use 2048-bit key certificates.
- Use relative URLs for resources that reside on the same secure domain.
- Use protocol relative URLs for all other domains.
- When changing your website’s address, follow Google’s Site move article guidelines.
- Do not block your HTTPS site from crawling using robots.txt.
- Allow indexing of your webpages by search engines where possible.
- Avoid the noindex robot meta tag when possible.
Adopting HTTPS SEO to Secure Your Website
The bottom line is that Google encourages every website to adopt HTTPS so that browsing sessions and online transactions are secure. It is a joint effort to support a better, safer, and more reliable online environment for everyone.
