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Does HTTPS Help SEO?

August 31, 2025
Does HTTPS Help SEO?

Let’s cut to the chase: does HTTPS help SEO? Yes. But if you’re expecting HTTPS to single-handedly catapult your blog to the top of Google, you might want to sit down and have a cup of coffee first. The story is a bit more nuanced — and, dare we say, more interesting — than a simple yes or no.

Welcome to the world where search engines, user trust, and technical wizardry collide. At bloggingmachine.io, we’re all about making SEO-optimized content creation effortless (and, ideally, less soul-draining). So, let’s break down why HTTPS matters for your SEO, your users, and your peace of mind.

HTTPS: The Basics (In Case You Slept Through IT Class)

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It encrypts the data exchanged between your website and your visitors. This means no one can eavesdrop on your users’ cat video searches or, more importantly, their personal info.

Google has been nudging (read: shoving) everyone toward HTTPS since 2014, when it announced HTTPS as a ranking signal. Sure, it’s a “lightweight” factor — think of it as the cherry on top, not the whole sundae. But in the world of SEO, sometimes the cherry is what gets you noticed.

Key Facts: Does HTTPS Help SEO?

Let’s get specific. Here’s what the data and experts say:

  • Google confirmed HTTPS as a ranking factor. It’s not the biggest, but it can tip the scales when you’re neck-and-neck with a competitor.
  • 70.4% of voice search result pages are HTTPS (Backlinko). If you want your content to be read aloud by a robot assistant, HTTPS is basically your ticket in.
  • Browsers now flag non-HTTPS sites as “Not Secure.” Nothing says “trust us with your credit card” like a big red warning, right?
  • Over 50% of marketers say SEO delivers the highest ROI (Search Engine Journal). HTTPS is a foundational part of technical SEO.
  • 92.3% of users access the internet via mobile (DataReportal). Mobile users expect security, and Google expects you to deliver it.

Why HTTPS Is More Than Just a Ranking Factor

1. User Trust (Or: How Not to Scare Away Visitors)

Imagine landing on a site and seeing “Not Secure” in the address bar. Would you stick around? Neither would your customers. HTTPS signals that you care about their privacy — and their business.

2. Compliance and Regulations

With laws like GDPR and CCPA, data protection isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the law. HTTPS is essential for compliance, especially if you collect any user data. And yes, that includes email signups for your “totally not spammy” newsletter.

3. Voice Search and Modern Features

Voice search is on the rise, and Google’s AI-powered features are increasingly favoring secure sites. If you want your content to be featured in voice results or Google’s AI Overviews, HTTPS is a must.

4. Technical SEO and Link Equity

Migrating to HTTPS the wrong way can break your site’s backlinks — over 66% of backlinks are already broken across the web. Always use 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS to preserve your hard-earned link equity (Ahrefs).

Expert Insight: What the Pros Say

“HTTPS is a lightweight ranking signal, but it’s a must-have for any site that wants to be taken seriously by users and search engines alike.” — Industry consensus, echoed by Google and leading SEO professionals.

Translation: If you’re not using HTTPS, you’re not even in the game.

HTTPS and E-E-A-T: Building Trust in the AI Era

Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines are all about rewarding trustworthy sites. HTTPS directly supports the “Trustworthiness” part. In 2025, as AI-generated content and zero-click searches become the norm, being seen as trustworthy is more important than ever (Google Search Central).

Migration Tips (So You Don’t Break Everything)

Switching to HTTPS isn’t just flipping a switch. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Use 301 redirects for every single page. Don’t leave stragglers behind.
  • Update internal links to point to HTTPS versions.
  • Resubmit your sitemap to Google Search Console.
  • Fix mixed content issues (no HTTP resources on HTTPS pages).
  • Monitor for crawl errors after migration.
  • Choose a reputable SSL/TLS certificate provider. Free options like Let’s Encrypt are secure and widely accepted.

Real Talk: Is HTTPS Worth the Effort?

If you’re running a small or medium-sized business, you might be thinking, “Do I really need this?” The answer is yes. HTTPS is a low-cost, high-impact upgrade. It won’t write your blog posts for you (that’s our job at bloggingmachine.io), but it will make sure your content gets the attention — and trust — it deserves.

The Indirect Benefits: More Than Just Rankings

  • Faster, more secure connections mean happier users.
  • Eligibility for advanced search features like voice and AI-powered results.
  • Better engagement metrics (users stick around longer when they trust you).
  • Peace of mind (for you and your visitors).

The Blogging Machine Approach

At bloggingmachine.io, we automate the creation of SEO-optimized articles, so you can focus on running your business (or, let’s be honest, enjoying a longer lunch break). Our AI agent handles keyword optimization, topic research, and content creation — always with an eye on the latest SEO best practices, including HTTPS.

We believe that engaging, well-written, and SEO-friendly articles are the backbone of organic growth. And yes, we make sure your content is ready for a secure, HTTPS-powered world.

FAQ: Does HTTPS Help SEO?

Q: Is HTTPS really a ranking factor? A: Yes, Google confirmed it. It’s a lightweight factor, but it can make a difference, especially when competing with similar-quality sites.

Q: Will switching to HTTPS hurt my SEO? A: Only if you mess up the migration. Use 301 redirects, update all links, and monitor for issues. Do it right, and you’ll preserve (or even boost) your rankings.

Q: Do I need HTTPS if I don’t sell anything online? A: Absolutely. User trust, browser warnings, and SEO benefits apply to all sites — not just e-commerce.

Q: Is a free SSL certificate good enough? A: Yes. Free certificates from providers like Let’s Encrypt are secure and widely accepted.

Q: How does HTTPS affect voice search? A: 70.4% of voice search results are HTTPS sites. If you want to be featured in voice search, HTTPS is essential.

Useful Resources

Final Thoughts

Does HTTPS help SEO? Yes — directly and indirectly. It’s a baseline requirement for modern websites, boosting trust, compliance, and eligibility for advanced search features. If you’re serious about SEO (and we know you are), make HTTPS your default. And if you want to make everything else about blogging easier, let us handle the heavy lifting at bloggingmachine.io.

Because, honestly, you have better things to do than worry about SSL certificates and keyword density.