When you visit a website, your browser communicates with a web server using a protocol. The two most common protocols are HTTP and HTTPS. Understanding the difference is essential for both website visitors and website owners.
What Is HTTP?
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of data communication on the web. When you visit an HTTP site, your browser sends requests to the server in plain text. This means anyone on the same network — at a café, airport or hotel — can potentially intercept and read the data being transmitted.
What Is HTTPS?
HTTPS adds a layer of security by using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its modern replacement TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt the connection. The "S" stands for Secure. With HTTPS:
- Data is encrypted between your browser and the server.
- The server's identity is verified via an SSL certificate.
- Data cannot be read or modified by third parties in transit.
Key Differences
Why HTTPS Matters for SEO
Google confirmed HTTPS as a ranking signal in 2014. Sites using HTTP may rank lower in search results. Google Chrome also shows a "Not secure" warning for HTTP pages that collect user input, which damages user trust and increases bounce rates.
How to Switch from HTTP to HTTPS
- Purchase and install an SSL certificate (or use a free one from Let's Encrypt).
- Update your website's internal links to use
https://. - Set up a 301 redirect from HTTP to HTTPS.
- Update your canonical URLs and sitemap.
- Verify the HTTPS version in Google Search Console.
Use our SSL Checker to verify your certificate is correctly installed.