Google has changed the way SSL (secure socket layer) Search works for signed-in users and it has made some SEOs very mad.
The old: SSL Search was a service you could use. Here: https://encrypted.google.com/
The new: Signed-in users have ALL their searches conducted through SSL.
The meaning: Google Analytics and other web analytics services will no longer report the query terms that the user searched on Google before reaching your website.
The reason: Google states they are doing this to protect your privacy. And it certainly does that. However. Should you choose to click on an ad whilst browsing, that search query data will still be passed to the advertisers. It might not be their intention to have portrayed this double-standard, but that’s exactly what it is, a double-standard. The ‘non-paid advertisers’ get reduced information. The paid advertisers get it all.
The impact: Only a small percentage of overall Google users are signed in when they conduct a search. This would vary incredibly by industry. For instance, I use many of Google’s services and I am signed in all the time. SEOs are mad because they have always felt marginalised by Google. And although Google’s more recent views on SEOs have softened, as evidenced by people like Matt Cutts addressing the community directly, they still feel like this is a slap in the face.
Some choice reactions:
In order of measured to very mad, here are some choice articles on the topic:
Our thoughts:
Anything that increases even a portion of privacy on the internet is a good thing.