Is HTTPS a ranking signal?

[Gustav]

I read about https as a ranking signal from google but not sure it's worth to go with...

I have seen more websites switched from http to https but I don't see good results when I have got a comparison with websites without https.

Are you using it? is it worth it?

 

[SEOPub]

Every test I have seen published has shown it to be a relatively insignificant ranking signal.

 

[arindamb]

arindamb

How did you test to know it was not important for SEO?

 

[SEOPub]

I said every test I have seen published. I did not say I conducted any tests.

There have been quite a few people that converted their sites to HTTPS and saw zero rankings improvement, so the obvious conclusion is that it is a very, very minor signal at best.

Also, if you think about it, there is no reason for Google to make it a significant ranking factor. It is too easy for people to use and just because someone has HTTPS on their site does not mean it really deserves to rank much better than its competition.

 

[jameswilliam723]

I don't think its a consideration thing for ranking.
HTTPS is something which tells that website is highly secured and having SSL certificate.
It is not a major think in SEO perspective.

 

[HBAndrei]

I actually think google will rank you better if you're using SEO, I've noticed this on some very important keywords (not going to mention them) every competitor I had started going SSL and when I also went SSL ranking increase by quite a lot.

 

[emily]

In my opinion HTTPS is the best practice because the sites using HTTPS encryption has the chance to boost in search results. The main advantages of having the HTTPS encryption, it has a high security and better referral data. So moving your website from HTTP to HTTPS is the best practice.

 

[Maja]

https is only a certificate layer but it has no effect on ranking. Some of my own sites have https and some are without http .

 

[emilylynch]

I haven't seen much difference between in the rankings for both cases but Google does consider it as a light weight ranking signal as far as now. In future, Google may consider it as a vital factor. Consider this factor, if a feature gives the option to secure the user details. Then why not a search engine ranks it more than a normal site. Every thing must come down for the convenience and security of the user data.