The certificate
SSL certificates provide end to end encryption for data sent to and from a website.
The basic idea dates back to the nineties, when programmers became concerned that data could be intercepted by a third party; potentially, that meant hackers could sit between the website and the visitor, watching all of the information that went back and forth. On eCommerce sites, that would mean that they'd gain access to email addresses and payment details. Clearly this was unacceptable: a solution was needed.
SSL encryption was added to websites to ensure that all data was made secure. They are installed directly onto the server and ensure that any information sent by your site, or by your site's visitors can not be intercepted. As all data is fully encrypted, anyone who did get to look at it couldn't decipher its meaning.
This is why they're such a good idea.
They make your site safe and protect the customer - perfect!
Google and SSLs
In 2016, we made a point of highlighting a few changes that Google were making to Merchant Center. In essence, they were rejecting products from websites without an SSL certificate.
No certificate, no Merchant Center.
It was a simple change that had some fairly major effects. Still, it was nothing new. Since 2014, Google have been recommending that you have an SSL certificate. In fact, Google explicitly say that they use it as a ranking signal; having one improves your Google ranking!
For Google, it's all part of making the web a safer place.
Chrome 56 and Firefox 51
Google's Chrome is the most popular browser in the world. That means that more visitors to your site use Chrome than any other.
That's why we take notice when they make major changes.
From February 2017, Chrome is going to be flagging more sites as insecure.
