An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a type of digital certificate that is used to secure websites and online applications. It encrypts the data that is transmitted between a user's web browser and the website or application, ensuring that sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, remains private and secure.
Whether or not you need an SSL certificate will depend on your specific situation. If you have a website or online application that collects sensitive information from users, such as personal or financial data, it is highly recommended that you use an SSL certificate to protect that information. This will help to build trust with your users and prevent potential security breaches. On the other hand, if your website or application does not handle sensitive information, an SSL certificate may not be necessary.
Google and other search engines may give a slight ranking boost to websites that use SSL certificates, as these certificates provide an extra level of security for users.
However, having an SSL certificate is not a major factor in how websites are ranked by search engines.
There are many other factors that are considered when determining a website's ranking, such as the quality and relevance of its content, the number and quality of external links pointing to the site, and the user experience it provides.
