Do SSL Certificates improve Google Ranking?

When Google decided that it wanted to make the Internet more secure it began to look for SSL Certificates/SSL Keys (Secure Padlocks) on your website.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certified site is a website that displays a padlock next to your URL in the browser bar. The SSL certification tells the user that your site is secure, so and that you should have no problem adding your information to a form or shopping cart on the website.

There are varying types of certificate with the more advanced ones requiring more in-depth checks on the company and these tend to then display the company name alongside the padlock in Green.

If you don't have an SSL, then you are likely to see the words 'NOT SECURE' next to your URL, which is off-putting to visitors, especially if you sell online.

How does an SSL affect my URL?

In the passed your web address would start http://www. the SSL changes this to https://www. which shows that your website is secured with a certificate.

Why Does Google look for an SSL?

Security is important to Google as for Google user experience is important and making sure that the websites it sends you to, is utmost in Google's thoughts.

What are the benefits of switching to https:// if you have not yet done so?

• The main benefit is that it provides a secure connection to users who visit the pages of your website. This means that the data between the website and the browser remains private and secure.
• An SSL clarifies that the domain name (Website Address) belongs to the company at there business name and location.
• A Secure padlock on the browser gives confidence to visitors that it is safe to shop or fill in online forms.

So back to our initial question. 'Do SSL certificates improve Google ranking?'

The answer is a resounding 'YES'.

Google has stated that when it compares search results on a search it will factor in whether the site has https:// as a tiebreaker in search results and will show/index your website above your competitors if they only have http://.

If you don't currently have an SSL please talk to us or your current hosting company.