HTTPS to HTTP in India

[glitterbug]

I had a question with reference to https protocol. We are planning to shift from HTTPs to HTTP version of the website will it provide any significant advantage in ranking better in Google. This question is specific to Google India and that too in a competitive landscape such as Finance

[Toddfoster]

Hello Aniket,

When you say you are switching from HTTPs to HTTP version of the site, do you mean that in reverse (i.e. HTTP to HTTPS)? HTTPS is the more recent development and is counted as a ranking factor by Google. Here is an article on the shift:

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.ca/2014/08/https-as-ranking-signal.html

To quote the article: "We've seen positive results, so we're starting to use HTTPS as a ranking signal."

The question of "how significant an advantage will it be?" is anyone's guess. We do know that Google has called for it, and that they are incorporating it as a definitive ranking signal. It still pales in comparison to your SEO bread and butter (on-site, links, etc.) but every advantage you can gain is a step in the right direction.

It sounds like you will be in a competitive market, so anything you can get on your side will be beneficial. HTTPS, however, is likely a small-scale ranking signal and not likely to boost optimization efforts by more than 1%.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions,

Rob