Is there an SEO (or other) risk from installing an SSL and not (yet) using it?
Let's say I use AutoSSL and Let's Encrypt to successfully install SSLs for multiple domains on a server.
OK, but there's a difference between having an SSL installed, and actually using that SSL. By "using" I mean, for example, forcing a website to use https permanently, or perhaps only forcing https when someone wants to login to the backend CMS.
So assume I've got lots of websites with SSL installed, but not yet used. Given that Google favours https sites over http sites, might Google detect that a site has a valid SSL, and then starts indexing the https version in preference to the http version. But what if Google detects errors as a consequence, e.g. non-secure (http) elements on an otherwise https page? Might this effect be to the detriment of the site?
In summary, are there any reasons (SEO or otherwise) why having an SSL cert installed, but not used, might be detrimental to the site?
Thx,
Ross
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Hello, I'm not sure if Google would penalize a website's ranking if certain elemants of a secure page are unsecured, however it's generally a good idea to use paths to files in your website as opposed to links. Here's a couple of external links I found that might help: New Google SEO benefit with SSL - with only a few sections in SSL, or always on? Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: HTTPS as a ranking signal Thank you. 0
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