What is the significance of HTTPS in SEO?

HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is significant in SEO primarily because it indicates that a website is secure. When a website uses HTTPS, it encrypts the data exchanged between the user and the site, providing protection against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. This security feature is essential for establishing trust with users, especially on sites that collect personal information or process transactions.

In the context of SEO, search engines like Google have made it clear that they prioritize secure sites in their rankings. This means that sites using HTTPS may receive a ranking boost compared to those that do not. Therefore, not only does HTTPS enhance security, but it also positively affects a site's visibility in search engine results.

While faster page loading and content quality are important aspects of SEO, they are not directly related to HTTPS. Similarly, HTTPS does not pertain to social media ranking factors, making the focus on website security and trustworthiness the key takeaway regarding its significance in SEO.