Pros, cons, and pitfalls of converting a content site to HTTPS

[LuckyLiz]

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System: The following message was cut out of thread at: http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4722765.htm [webmasterworld.com] by aakk9999 - 4:51 pm on Dec 17, 2014 (gmt 0)

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Can anyone comment on the pros, cons, and pitfalls of converting a content site that relies on ad income (no ecommerce) to https? Additionally, what would need to be done to minimize the number of redirects if the site is already using redirects to point to preferred versions of pages or pages where the page name changed for some reason?

[EditorialGuy]

I did it a few months ago for the smaller of our two "content sites," just to see what might happen. Search traffic wasn't affected at all.

(I can't speak to the ads issue, since the site doesn't currently have ads--just affiliate links. You might want to browse the AdSense Forum for information on that topic.)

[aakk9999]

what would need to be done to minimize the number of redirects if the site is already using redirects

You will need to change your existing redirects to point to the https location.

For example, if you have page A redirecting to page B, then you need to change this redirect so that page A goes directly to https version of page B.

If you are currently having https --> http redirect in place, then this one has to be reversed.

[netmeg]

HTTPS-enabled sites require that all content on the page, including the ads, be SSL-compliant. As such, AdSense will remove all non-SSL compliant ads from competing in the auction on these pages. If you do decide to convert your HTTP site to HTTPS, please be aware that because we remove non-SSL compliant ads from the auction, thereby reducing auction pressure, ads on your HTTPS pages might earn less than those on your HTTP pages.

[support.google.com...]

This is why I'm not going there yet.

[lucy24]

the number of redirects

When you say "number" are you referring to the total number-- which would temporarily become 100% of all pages --or to the number of steps in a redirect chain? If it's the latter, get yourself over to the Apache or IIS subforum to fix things.