Google’s YouTube series, SEO Office Hours, presented a user question: “Does the integration of security headers such as HSTS have a ranking influence?” 

According to John Mueller, a Google Search Advocate, the answer is no.

Recently, we also covered a similar topic on SSL and HTTPS, which was also addressed by Mueller. In that separate news, HTTPS is considered a lightweight ranking factor, meaning it doesn’t directly influence rankings.

This time, Mueller said that implementing security headers does not affect search engine optimization (SEO) in any way.

He clarified that Google “does not rely on headers like those used for HSTS.” Instead, it “uses a process called canonicalization to pick the most appropriate version of a page to crawl and index.”

So, what’s the difference between HSTS and HTTPS?

HTTPS is a protocol that allows for secure data transfer between two systems. It only works on websites and apps secured through certificates (SSL).

Meanwhile, HSTS (HTTPS Strict Transport Security) is a security response that tells the browser to only access a web page through HTTPS from the moment it is loaded. When the browser reaccesses the web page in the future, it will only load the page through HTTPS.

Other response security headers include 404, a response status code instructing the browser to return an error page, and 301, a permanent redirect from one URL to another.

The problem with 404 and 301 headers is that they’re still vulnerable to hacking and other malicious activities. HSTS addresses these vulnerabilities by instructing the browser to only access the page through HTTPS.

“Using these headers is of course great for users, though,” Mueller said.

That’s because, while security headers don’t affect SEO, they do provide an additional layer of safety and privacy that protects your visitors. If you want to ensure the best user experience possible, implementing security headers is an excellent option.

Here’s the full transcript of Google’s June edition of English SEO Office Hours.

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