HTTPS, SSL and SEO: Security Ranks Better

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a protocol that was developed to safely transfer data on the Internet. The use of encryption protocols is supported and recommended by all popular Internet browsers. But one of them is especially serious about data security: Aiming for blanket coverage of the safety standard in the network, Google Chrome called for the "HTTPS Everywhere" initiative already back in 2014.

Google Chrome Browsers Warnings

Currently, non-encrypted websites in Google Chrome address bar are displayed with an encircled "i". By clicking on this icon, the user receives a warning that "the connection to this website is not secure". The green lock means that the page is secure. Here, "secure" means that the data transferred on this website is encrypted and protected from the access and manipulation by a third party.

Whether a website is encrypted with a protocol is marked not only with the lock icon but also with the HTTPS acronym. If there is something wrong with a website, this will be shown in the browser bar with a red "X". Starting from January 2017, Version 56 of Google Chrome browser should also display a warning as soon as a website requires the input of sensitive data without a SSL certificate. Google Chrome users can already now enable this feature in their browser: To do this, you only need to call the chrome://flags settings page and deselect default settings under "Mark origin as non-secure". But this is just the beginning: In the near future, users should also be warned of unencrypted websites in additional areas. However, nobody knows yet what exactly this should look like.

Advantages of SSL Encryption

SSL encryption makes a company page more secure and strengthens customer confidence in the accessed website. Finally, except for the customer and the server, no third party will be able to read or manipulate the communication. The encryption icon corresponds to a quality seal. Users stay longer on the page, which in turn decreases the bounce rate. This has a positive effect on SEO visibility and results in a better ranking in search engines.

Eine SSL-Verschlüsselung macht eine Unternehmensseite sicherer und stärkt das Vertrauen der Kunden in den aufgerufenen Onlineauftritt. Außer dem Kunden und dem Server kann schließlich kein Dritter die Kommunikation mitlesen oder manipulierend eingreifen. Das Verschlüsselungssymbol entspricht damit einem Qualitätssigel. User bleiben länger auf der aufgerufenen Seite und demzufolge sinkt auch die Absprungrate. Dies wirkt sich positiv auf die SEO-Visibility aus und führt zu einem besseren Ranking in den Suchmaschinen.

Another benefit for Internet users is the increasing data quality. If a user switches from an HTTPS page to an unencrypted page, the HTTP referer will be lost. That is, the initial URL call will be deleted and only the visit of the unencrypted page will be counted as direct visit in Web analytics tools such as Google Analytics. However, if you switch from an encrypted website to a different SSL encrypted website, the HTTP referer will remain, which increases the data quality. Thus, the implementation of an SSL certificate has important benefits that should not be brushed aside.

Tip: Starting from November 8, 2016, Schlund Technologies customers can encrypt all the domains managed at Schlund Technologies via the SchlundTech Web Interface free of charge using a basic SSL certificate!