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Google’s Chrome browser will mark non-HTTPS sites as ‘not secure' and will be effective from July 2018

Google’S Chrome Browser Will Mark Non Https Sites As ‘Not Secure And Will Be Effective From July 2018
Caution! This article is 6 years old, and our opinions may have changed.

After years of pushing for 'secure by default' web sites, Google will identify insecure websites in the Google Chrome browser beginning mid-Summer this year. July 2018 is shaping up to be a big month for Google in terms of change. Earlier this month, Google announced its Speed Update which is set to roll out in July, and announced it will then also mark all sites that have not migrated to HTTPS as “not secure.”

This move will coincide with the release of Chrome 68. It’s becoming even more important for any business who has a website to treat Speed and HTTPS as important factors when it comes to usability and SEO.

Google has been pushing webmasters to make the change to non-secure web sites for a few years now – including hinting at small rankings boost to further incentivize the shift. The campaign has proved successful. According to their stats:

  • Over 68% of Chrome traffic on both Android and Windows is now protected
  • Over 78% of Chrome traffic on both Chrome OS and Mac is now protected
  • 81 of the top 100 sites on the web use HTTPS by default

Depending upon the size of a site and scope of the project, a migration from HTTP to HTTPS can be quite an undertaking. Some are stress free and straight forward though. But we advise to make the switch as soon as possible if you currently only have a HTTP website. And if you’re considering a new website build, an SSL should be setup from Day One to make your new site secure.

Ask yourself the question, if you visited a website and it came up with a message saying ‘This website is not secure’ would you click accept and continue or would you exit the window and go elsewhere. And if you’d continue, would you be confident enough to put in your card details to purchase online even though the browser says this website not secure?

We can handle the SSL purchase and installation for you here at MadeByShape if you’re creating a new website with us. Get in touch today for any new website enquiries.

I handle the accounts and finances here at MadeByShape.