---
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).
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.