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Comment on Data is at the heart of search, but who has access to it?

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So the whole push for SSL/https from Google has been opportunistic rather than good practice. I mean why would a search engine go as far as to make SSL a ranking signal?

Sites that use or at least offer SSL probably also tend to be higher-quality sites. The combination of verified identity and payment means that it's a natural filter for people who are at least semi-serious about their project.

I mean why would a search engine go as far as to make SSL a ranking signal?

Because any number of 3rd parties have been injecting their ads and other crap as MITMs. SSL is a better, but not foolproof way to make sure the content you get was the content served by the remote server.

It could be opportunistic and a good practice. Users do benefit from sites that offer SSL. It's just that Google benefits too.

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