If you use Ahrefs regularly for SEO or backlink analysis, you might have noticed a small lock icon next to some URLs. This symbol often leaves users wondering, what does the lock mean beside a URL in Ahrefs?
The answer is simple, but it also reveals something important about how your website communicates securely with users and search engines. This guide explains the meaning of the lock icon, what it represents, what it doesn’t, and how to use that information effectively in your SEO strategy.
What Does the Lock Icon in Ahrefs Actually Mean
In Ahrefs, the lock symbol beside a URL indicates that the page is served over a secure HTTPS connection. It means the website has an SSL certificate, which encrypts communication between the user’s browser and the server.
In simpler terms, when you see a lock next to a URL in Ahrefs, it means the page uses HTTPS instead of HTTP, showing that data exchanged through that page is protected from interception or tampering.
Why Ahrefs Displays the Lock Beside Certain URLs
Ahrefs crawls millions of websites and collects information about how they’re structured, linked, and secured. The lock symbol helps users quickly identify which links lead to secure web pages and which ones don’t.
The lock icon serves two key purposes:
- Security Status Indicator: It confirms the site uses an encrypted connection.
- Protocol Differentiation: It visually distinguishes secure HTTPS pages from non-secure HTTP ones.
This visual cue is useful for spotting outdated or insecure links during backlink analysis, content audits, or site comparisons.
What the Lock Icon Does Not Mean
While the lock shows that a website uses encryption, it does not automatically mean the site is safe, high-quality, or trustworthy. Here’s what it does not represent:
- It does not guarantee that the website is free from malware or spam.
- It does not prove that the website’s content or backlinks are legitimate.
- It does not indicate the site’s authority or ranking strength.
The lock icon simply signals data security, not content integrity. Many harmful or low-quality websites also use HTTPS because modern browsers encourage or even require it.
HTTPS and SEO: Why It Matters
Even though HTTPS is not a major ranking factor, Google prefers secure websites. Having HTTPS enabled improves user trust and ensures data protection during transactions or logins.
Websites without HTTPS may display browser warnings like “Not Secure,” which can drive visitors away. For SEO professionals using Ahrefs, seeing the lock helps identify which backlinks point to secure sources and which may need updating.
How HTTPS Affects User Experience
A secure connection builds credibility. Visitors feel safer browsing, submitting forms, or making purchases on a site that uses HTTPS.
How HTTPS Affects Rankings
While the impact is small, search engines reward HTTPS pages with slightly better visibility compared to unsecured ones. Over time, maintaining secure links strengthens overall site quality.
How to Interpret the Lock Symbol in Different Ahrefs Reports
In the Site Explorer
When analyzing backlinks or referring domains, the lock beside a URL shows that the referring page uses HTTPS. This helps you assess the quality and technical reliability of your backlinks.
In the Content Explorer
The lock indicates that the listed content lives on a secure site. This is useful for benchmarking content in secure environments or identifying older, unsecured pages for updates.
In the Broken Links Report
When evaluating broken links, seeing URLs without the lock may signal outdated or insecure pages. Replacing them with HTTPS versions improves link equity and security.
What It Means If There’s No Lock Beside a URL
If Ahrefs shows a URL without the lock icon, it means the page uses an HTTP connection rather than HTTPS. This type of connection is not encrypted and can expose sensitive data.
From an SEO perspective, unsecured links are not ideal because:
- They may trigger browser warnings for visitors.
- Some users avoid non-secure pages entirely.
- Link equity could be lost if redirects are not properly set up when switching to HTTPS.
If your backlinks or internal pages show as HTTP, it’s a good idea to check if an HTTPS version exists and redirect traffic properly.
How to Use This Information in Your SEO Workflow
Step 1: Identify Non-Secure Links
Review backlinks and referring domains in Ahrefs. If some important URLs appear without the lock icon, they might need an update to HTTPS.
Step 2: Update Internal Links
If your own site has internal links pointing to HTTP pages, replace them with HTTPS versions to ensure consistency and avoid mixed content warnings.
Step 3: Audit Redirects
When switching from HTTP to HTTPS, make sure redirects are implemented correctly. Broken redirects can confuse crawlers and affect indexing.
Step 4: Monitor Backlinks
Keep track of incoming links. Reaching out to site owners to update their links to HTTPS helps maintain link authority.
Related Symbols and Indicators in Ahrefs
Ahrefs uses several visual cues to make navigation easier. The lock icon is one of them, but you might also see other indicators in reports.
- Arrow icons: Often indicate redirects or link movement.
- Broken chain icons: Highlight broken or dead links.
- Color-coded signals: Represent link type, such as dofollow or nofollow.
Learning to recognize these icons helps you interpret Ahrefs data faster and make more informed SEO decisions.
Why the Lock Icon Helps You Build Better SEO Strategy
The lock icon’s true value lies in helping you maintain link quality and trustworthiness. It reminds you to focus on secure connections and signals potential areas for improvement in your backlink profile.
Improves Link Quality Audits
When all your backlinks and referring domains are secure, your overall link profile looks healthier and more reliable to both users and search engines.
Strengthens Technical SEO
HTTPS contributes to technical site health by reducing mixed content errors and ensuring modern encryption protocols.
Builds User Confidence
Even before clicking a link, a secure connection reassures users that they are interacting with a safe and up-to-date website.
Practical Tips for Handling HTTPS in SEO
- Always use HTTPS for all pages, not just the homepage.
- Renew SSL certificates regularly to avoid errors.
- Test your site using tools that confirm encryption strength.
- Update sitemaps and canonical tags to reflect HTTPS URLs.
- Monitor backlink profiles periodically to maintain secure connections.
The Importance of HTTPS in Modern Web Security
The web has evolved from simple information exchange to a space where data privacy is critical. HTTPS ensures the authenticity and confidentiality of online interactions, which supports both SEO and trustworthiness.
Even though the lock icon in Ahrefs is a small detail, it represents a big step toward safe browsing experiences. Keeping your URLs secure not only aligns with search engine guidelines but also improves your reputation and reliability in the digital landscape.
FAQs
Find answers to the most common questions
Does the Lock Mean a Site Is Safe?
No. The lock only indicates that the site uses an encrypted connection. It does not guarantee that the website’s content or behavior is trustworthy.
Why Do Some URLs Show No Lock Icon?
Those pages are using HTTP instead of HTTPS. It might be because the site has not yet installed an SSL certificate or because Ahrefs crawled an older version of the page.
Should I Update All HTTP Links?
Yes, ideally. Switching to HTTPS ensures data security, avoids browser warnings, and supports SEO performance.
What Happens If a Page Has Both HTTP and HTTPS Versions?
Search engines prefer the HTTPS version, so ensure proper redirects are in place to consolidate link equity and prevent duplicate content.
Final Thoughts on Ahrefs What Does the Lock Mean Beside a URL
In Ahrefs, the lock beside a URL signifies a secure HTTPS connection. It shows that the page’s data is encrypted and protected. However, it doesn’t measure site quality or guarantee trust, it’s purely a technical indicator.
By understanding what the lock means and ensuring your own links are secure, you enhance your site’s credibility, user experience, and technical SEO foundation.
When using Ahrefs, pay attention to this small symbol, it’s a simple yet powerful sign of modern web standards and responsible digital management.
