Why It’s a Problem If HTTP Does Not Redirect to HTTPS

If your website’s HTTP version does not automatically redirect to HTTPS, it can cause serious SEO and security issues.

1. SEO Issues

• Duplicate Pages – Search engines might index both HTTP and HTTPS versions, leading to duplicate content problems.
• Ranking Impact – Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor, meaning sites with proper HTTPS implementation may rank higher.
• Crawl Budget Wastage – If both versions exist, search engines may waste resources crawling duplicate pages instead of focusing on important content.

2. Security Risks

• User Trust Issues – Modern browsers label HTTP sites as “Not Secure”, which can reduce visitor confidence.
• Data Vulnerability – Without HTTPS, sensitive user data (like passwords and payment details) can be intercepted by hackers.

How to Check If Your HTTP URL Redirects to HTTPS

To verify if your HTTP version is properly redirecting to HTTPS, use this free online tool:

🔗 HTTP Status Code Checker

If both HTTP and HTTPS versions return a 200 status code, it means both versions are accessible to search engines, which can create duplicate content issues.

Example of Improper Redirection

We recently worked on an SEO client’s website where the HTTP version was not properly redirected to HTTPS. See the screenshot below.

Example of Proper HTTP to HTTPS Redirection

For reference, here’s a screenshot of the correct HTTP to HTTPS redirect setup for PinoySEO.ph—showing a 301 redirect in place.

A 301 redirect ensures that all traffic from HTTP is permanently redirected to HTTPS, preventing duplicate content issues and improving security.

WordPress Plugins for HTTP to HTTPS Redirection

If your website is built on WordPress, you can use one of these plugins to automatically redirect HTTP to HTTPS:

1️⃣ Really Simple SSL – https://wordpress.org/plugins/really-simple-ssl/
2️⃣ WP Force SSL – https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-force-ssl/
3️⃣ Easy HTTPS Redirection – https://wordpress.org/plugins/https-redirection/

These plugins handle HTTPS redirection without requiring manual server or .htaccess modifications.

Why HTTP to HTTPS Redirection Matters

Fixing the HTTP to HTTPS redirect is a crucial part of technical SEO. Ideally, this should already be handled at the web design stage to prevent SEO and security issues in the future.

PinoySEO - Rene Leandro Padilla

Coach Leandro is an award-winning SEO specialist in the Philippines with over 15 years of professional experience as an SEO consultant. He has successfully managed clients from the US, Australia, UK, and Canada, delivering data-driven strategies that generate measurable results in search engine visibility and business growth.

In 2024, he was recognized as the “Outstanding Digital Freelancer of the Year” by the City Government of Iligan for his significant contributions to the freelancing and digital marketing industry.

He is the Founder and Owner of SOVA.ph, PinoySEO.ph, and MalachiSoft.com, where he continues to lead projects, mentor aspiring professionals, and provide SEO training programs tailored to the global market.

As a trusted SEO consultant and business owner in the Philippines, Coach Leandro is dedicated to helping businesses and individuals achieve long-term online success.

Beyond his professional achievements, Coach Leandro is also a passionate drone pilot, enjoying aerial photography and creative storytelling through drone videography.