Google changes to default SSL for searches

Google announced in its blog that they are moving to SSL for all searches for anyone that is signed into Google.

Quote:

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Over the next few weeks, many of you will find yourselves redirected to https://www.google.com (note the extra “s”) when you’re signed in to your Google Account. This change encrypts your search queries and Google’s results page. This is especially important when you’re using an unsecured Internet connection, such as a WiFi hotspot in an Internet cafe. You can also navigate to https://www.google.com directly if you’re signed out or if you don’t have a Google Account.

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Google already made SSL the default protocol for Gmail last year, and started offering SSL for searches about 1 1/2 years ago via the https version of their site.

So what does this mean for us? Referrer traffic stats will still show traffic that came from Google, but will no longer receive information about each individual query. In other words, stats will no longer show the search terms that got the click there! Read more at http://gay.gl/ff

SSL is secure sockets layer, it encrypts data from the server to the client (web surfer). Without SSL, there is no encryption so if you search for "gay porn" the stream of data that gets results actually shows "gay porn" as the search term. With SSL, the stream of data is all encrypted so you can't see the words "gay porn".

Here is a wiki page on the technical details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Sockets_Layer But the most important thing to know for Google using SSL is that your stats program will tell you that the click came from Google, but won't be able to tell you what the search terms were anymore.

I would normally check server stats to see what keyword searches are coming from Google, then check Google to see my index rankings, but with SSL that won't be possible. However, you can use Google's Webmaster Tools to help: http://www.google.com/webmasters/

Whoa! That is pretty heavy. Lot's of us need those referral stats to improve our SEO techniques. What help do the webmaster tools offer?

I suspect that Google will still display search terms to anyone using analytics, but I haven't been able to find out for sure either way. Other than analytics, I only know of the URL above for their tools.

Anyone else have any other suggestions?

I have heard that Google will not display keywords from SSL searches in its own analytics even, so it looks like we will be in for a big change when looking at stats once the SSL by default rolls out for searches.