Which protocol to use for websites: HTTP or HTTPS?

[sauterelle]

It happens that when I edit a place and I visit the website, I'm being redirected to another website with a similar URL. Often this is because the website has been reorganized, but the old links still work. What also happens is that the protocol changes from HTTP to HTTPS. (on Chrome, Win10)

Should I update the website by replacing it with the one I'm redirected to? Which protocol is preferred (when both are possible): HTTP or HTTPS?

[VijayDesai]

Hi @sauterelle

In my opinion you should go for HTTPS because it is Secured.

Vijay Desai.

[sauterelle]

Thanks @VijayDesai

Otoh, when editing the website field, Google adds http:// already by default, so it seems they do prefer HTTP.

There are multiple questions about whether or not to use HTTPS in urls, such as

  https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/157572

  https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/54038

just to give a few.

I feel like this needs an official answer by Google.

[sauterelle]

I tried to change to Google Office's website at my country's capital from http: to https:, and the edit got instantly rejected.

This is the closest I got to an official Google response...

[Flash · Accepted solution]

Hello,

If you are adding a new URL then Https would be preferred, but Http would still be correct.

As http is correct, there is no need to edit existing URLs.