Hello friends, I hope everyone is well and enjoying a lovely Sunday. I know I rarely post on Sunday’s, and if you don’t see this until tomorrow, I completely understand. Please pin and share this post with other bloggers, blog readers, online shop owners and those who support them all. Although I haven’t officially done the “Kiss and Make Up” part with Google yet, I am in the process, even though I am still a little upset. What am I writing about?
Please read on while I also share some beautiful peony photos with you. You may have seen a few on Facebook and Instagram already.
Let me ask you a quick question. Have you seen this pop up when you have entered a blog or shop url address?
Most flags are good things. Your country flag, any flag with the word sale on it, bunting flags and even cute little toothpick flags on top of yummy cupcakes. But, when Google flags you, it’s far from good. It’s so “not good” that it may actually bring you to tears, enter me….. tissue dabbing tears, as I research why my shops are getting no traffic even though I pay “a lot” of money for advertising. Mystery solved!
The internet overlord that is “Google” is trying so hard to keep everyone safe that it is flagging the most vulnerable of us, those with blogs and little online shops. I love the protection but come on Google, please. Why so heavy handed when it comes to little online blogs and shops?
Keepsakes by Katherine Zen Spirit Malas
Why is google flagging sites? It’s all about the SSL. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the security technology identifying the encrypted link between a web server and a browser ( Google). The SSL ensures all data between the web server and browsers remain private and safe. That little padlock and the magic letter “s” at the end of http assures a safe site. Like my blog url, https://katherinescorner.com
Google started flagging sites without SSL Certificates last year, I wasn’t worried, I had them on my domains. But nobody mentioned that forwarded domains would be flagged even if they had the SSL. If you don’t make the change to your blog or shop URL, Google will flag you and all non-https sites.
Look more pretty peonies!
Is it time to kiss and make up with Google yet? Nope not yet, but soon, I hope. The deadline to make the change has come and gone but there is still hope. Be prepared, there may be a fee to make the change (there always is). Below are the steps to make the SSL change to your blog, shop website, etc.
Step 1- Click HERE to see if your site is okay if it is not please go to step 2.
Step 2- Buy an SSL through your hosting company. GoDaddy, Gator, Bluehost, etc. (prices may vary from $60-$250 yearly) Yes, some hosting companies have inflated their fees for making this change. But, some hosting companies provide a free SSL certificate when you purchase a domain, so please check yours before you buy an SSL. GoDaddy (who hosts my site and domains doesn’t) sad face….
Note-If you have a WordPress site you can find all the details HERE I also found this link after I had written this post And this one HERE
Step 3– After you have made the change ( and your host lets you know how long it’ll be until it is ready) you can request a review through the Google Search Console (previously known as Webmaster Tools). HERE Go to the Malware section of the Search Console, click the “Request a Review” button. Explain what you did to fix the site in the text boxes. People, yes People who work for Google review the site and read the review requests, explain what you did, (I purchased and applied SSL certificate) to correct their flag.
Step 4– after your url change is “official” through your host go to step 1 again. I hope this helped anyone who may have found their face covered with tears and little bits of tissue.
Soon you can Kiss and Make Up with Google too.
If you have any other helpful information to share regarding the SSL topic Please feel free to share in the comments section.
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This is very interesting. I will check it out. Thanks for sharing this information Katherine
my pleasure Laurie Hugs!
I haven’t seen that flag for your shop and when I type “Katherine’s Corner” in my search bar, I have no flags on your site either. I hope you recover from this easily and quickly. This “Big Brother” routine does get old!!
Thank you, it’s not Katherines Corner. It’s for my Keepsakes by Katherine shop and my Zen Spirit Malas shop. But, thank you so much for caring and for being such a sweet bloggy friend. Hugs!
Three things that I always have in my purse are my wallet, cell phone and keys.
Happy Sunday, Katie!! And yes I did get SSL certificate last year and I am OK. But I know and understand Google’s logic. But still can be furstrating. Hugs and thanks for sharing xoxo <3
frustrating at the least my friend. xo
Hi Katherine! Thank you for sharing this. As a new blogger I run into obstacles all the time. Not being a tech-savvy person doesn’t help I have not encountered this problem but will definitely be saving this for when I do! Thank you for sharing
Christina
Thank you for your comment Christina. I always try to share any new tips I find. Hugs!