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diff --git a/_posts/2014-08-08-google-is-using-https-as-a-ranking-signal.md b/_posts/2014-08-08-google-is-using-https-as-a-ranking-signal.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e8a7246 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-08-08-google-is-using-https-as-a-ranking-signal.md @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +title: Google is using HTTPS as a ranking signal +summary: In which I don't understand why people are upset with Google's decision +layout: post +--- + +Earlier this week Google has announced that they will use HTTPS as a ranking signal for the [Page Rank](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Page_rank). + +<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>HTTPS is now a lightweight ranking signal: <a href="http://t.co/hOr1DS9trV">http://t.co/hOr1DS9trV</a>. Secure those sites! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WebmasterNews?src=hash">#WebmasterNews</a> <a href="http://t.co/qk9v9L8lvR">pic.twitter.com/qk9v9L8lvR</a></p>— Google Webmasters (@googlewmc) <a href="https://twitter.com/googlewmc/statuses/497440606440792064">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote></center> +<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> + +A lot of people on Hacker News and Twitter were annoyed (even upstet for some) by that decision. I understand some of the concern, but I don't think they are legitimate: + + * Yes, most SSL certs are not free. But hosting a website has also a cost. + + * However, certificates are not always expensive. You can get one for $16 with [Gandi](https://www.gandi.net/ssl). + + * Yes, there is probably additional cost. You'll need the technical knowledge on how to set up the certificate. But it's the same for running a web site. If you don't know how to do it, you'll need someone to do it for you. + + * There's an opportunity for hosting companies to compete on this, and make it easier and cheaper for small business and individual to run a web site with TLS. + + * The Page Rank is already secret, no one know how important having TLS will impact the ranking. + + * Yes, it matters even for a "content only" site. How can you trust the content was not altered otherwise ? + + * This decision impact business more than anyone else. If you're worried that your own personal blog is going to be impacted, I don't want to be mean, but I doubt this will have a huge impact for you. + + * Google won't stop ranking you because you don't have TLS. + +I really believe this is a first small step in the right direction. Plain HTTP should die at this point. |