HTTPS
HTTPS is an extension of the HTTP protocol and was introduced to improve security by encrypting a website and user’s connection. Ensuring your site runs via HTTPS offers benefits for both SEO and user experience and is deemed a ranking factor by Google. Our Hangout Notes cover advice and best practice recommendations for HTTPS websites.
Google Automatically Chooses a Preferred Domain Based on Multiple Signals
Google uses many factors to determine the canonical domain including redirects, canonicals, internal links, sitemaps and backlinks, so choosing a preferred domain in Search Console is not critical.
Google Isn’t Planning to Dial Up the Rankings on HTTPS
URL Removal Tool Affects All Domain Variations
If you use the URL removal tool, it applies to all variations of the domain including www/non-www and http/https, so it definitely shouldn’t be used to speed up the removal of a domain after migration from http to https. The removal of URLs works faster for the verified versions of a domain.
Backlinks are reported in Search Console on the canonical domains
If you canonicalise domain variants (www/non-www/http/https), all of the backlinks will be reported in Search Console under the canonical domain.
Google Chooses HTTP if the HTTPS contains Insecure Content
If Google finds insecure content on the HTTPS version of a URL, it is more likely to choose HTTP as the canonical version.
Chrome Will Show Error Message for Non-HTTPS Login
In january 2017, Chrome will include a warning for login pages on HTTP.
Migrate to HTTPS If You’re Moving Domains
If you are going to migrate your domain, it’s best to migrate to HTTPS at the same time. However changing URL structure and moving to a new domain is much harder for Google to pick up.
Separate Non-WWW/WWW and HTTP>HTTPS Redirects are OK
It’s OK to use separate redirects for Non-WWW to WWW and HTTP to HTTPS which can result in 2 steps. Ideally you would redirect in a single step where possible.
Manual Penalties are specific to www/non-www and HTTP/HTTPS
Manual action penalties are specific to www/non-www and HTTP/HTTPS domains so you need to have them all set up in Search Console to see them.
Google Recommends HTTPS
Google recommends HTTPS for all websites, particularly for new websites which don’t have to worry about a migration from HTTP.