What Is HTTPS?
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the encrypted version of HTTP, securing the data exchanged between a browser and a website’s server using SSL/TLS encryption.
HTTPS vs HTTP
Standard HTTP sends data in plain text, meaning anything transmitted — including passwords or payment details — could theoretically be intercepted and read. HTTPS encrypts that data, and is now the expected default across the web, with browsers actively flagging non-HTTPS sites as “not secure.”
Why It’s a Google Ranking Signal
Google confirmed HTTPS as a ranking signal in 2014, framing it as a relatively lightweight factor compared to content quality or backlinks, but a meaningful one nonetheless — and one that’s effectively table stakes today rather than a competitive advantage, since the overwhelming majority of sites now run on HTTPS by default.
