Definition
HTTPS migration is the process of transitioning a site from HTTP (unencrypted) to HTTPS (encrypted via SSL/TLS). Google announced in 2014 that HTTPS is a ranking signal, and Chrome has displayed a 'Not Secure' warning for HTTP sites since 2018. For SEO, HTTPS migration is essential but must be executed correctly to avoid traffic loss. Critical steps include: obtaining an SSL certificate (free Let's Encrypt or paid), 301 redirecting all HTTP URLs to HTTPS, updating internal links and resources (images, scripts), updating the sitemap and Search Console (new HTTPS property), checking for mixed content (HTTP resources on HTTPS pages), and updating external backlinks when possible. A poorly executed migration can cause temporary traffic drops of 10-20%.
Key Points
- HTTPS has been a confirmed Google ranking factor since 2014
- 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS are essential to preserve link juice
- Mixed content (HTTP resources on HTTPS pages) must be completely eliminated
Practical Examples
Successful HTTPS migration
An e-commerce site migrates to HTTPS with 301 redirects, a complete sitemap update, and internal link updates. After 2 weeks, traffic stabilizes and even gains 5% thanks to Google's HTTPS boost.
Migration with mixed content
After HTTPS migration, a site keeps images loaded via HTTP. Chrome still displays the insecure lock and Core Web Vitals are degraded by mixed content warnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. It's a minimum prerequisite. Browsers increasingly block features on HTTP (geolocation, service workers). HTTPS is required for HTTP/2-3, PWAs, and Consent Mode. HTTP sites lose user and search engine trust.
Yes. Google makes no distinction between a free Let's Encrypt certificate and a paid EV certificate. The encryption is identical. EV certificates no longer display a green bar in modern browsers.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07