How do HTTP tracking links affect email deliverability and user experience?
Summary
What email marketers say14Marketer opinions
Marketer from Email Geeks disagrees with the notion that it's not an issue unless submitting PII. Explains if the traffic isn't secured by encryption that could put the visitor at the risk of a man-in-the middle attack where something malicious ends up on their machine.
Email marketer from Cloudflare Blog explains that using HTTP links on HTTPS sites causes mixed content warnings, which negatively impact user experience and security. Browsers may block insecure content, hindering site functionality.
Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog explains that HTTPS is crucial for SEO ranking as Google prioritizes secure sites. HTTPS also builds user trust and confidence by protecting sensitive information.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that subscribers might see a message about an unsecure link, leading them to either go back or click "Advanced" to proceed. This is unless they have security settings turned off. They also ask if a third-party link tracker is being used.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that mailbox providers may block content with non-HTTPS links, especially concerning for B2B senders and corporate spam filters, but also a concern for consumer mail.
Email marketer from EmailToolTester shares that using HTTP links can make your site appear outdated and less trustworthy, leading to reduced conversions and increased bounce rates. Security is a very important part of email marketing.
Email marketer from Reddit shares that emails containing only HTTP links, including tracking pixels, will trigger some spam filters since most modern email systems now require HTTPS for secure data transmission.
Email marketer from EmailGeeks forum mentions that mixed content issues due to HTTP links on HTTPS pages can lead to warnings and blocked content, which degrades the user experience and can impact deliverability rates.
Email marketer from a Digital Agency Blog mentions the SEO benefits of using HTTPS throughout your site. Switching to HTTPS across your website and email links is an important step for building consumer trust.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains that an SSL certificate establishes trust and helps avoid browser security warnings. If links in an email use HTTP, the user might be presented with a security warning that creates an obstacle to the desired user experience.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that their SFMC link tracking is HTTP and they aren’t aware of it being directly attributed to any deliverability problems but it’s absolutely a UX issue.
Email marketer from WP Beginner says that HTTPS/SSL is important for SEO because Google favors secure websites. Using HTTP tracking links on a website that is HTTPS may result in lower search engine rankings.
Email marketer from LinkedIn argues that using HTTPS not only protects user data but also signals credibility to email providers, which can help improve email deliverability and placement in inboxes versus spam folders.
Email marketer from Sendinblue shares that HTTPS protects visitors' data from attacks. HTTP sites are marked as 'not secure' by modern web browsers, which impacts user trust and reduces the credibility of the site.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Wordtothewise.com responds to the fact that if you are using redirects and tracking parameters in your email, it's important to ensure that the final destination is indeed HTTPS so as not to negate any gains you have made by using HTTPS in the email.
Expert from Email Geeks asks if it’s a deliverability problem or a different problem where the recipient can’t get to the link, and that non https is a personal security issue if you’re submitting PII or financial information.
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that HTTP links in emails can signal a lack of security and can negatively impact the sender's reputation, affecting deliverability. Senders should prioritize security for better email performance. Using HTTPS links helps build credibility.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from Google Search Central Blog shares that HTTPS is a ranking signal. Switching to HTTPS by securing your website with SSL/TLS encryption can help improve your ranking in Google search results.
Documentation from OWASP explains that HTTP is susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks, where attackers can intercept and alter data transmitted between the user and server, potentially leading to data theft or malware injection. If you use HTTP tracking links, you may be vulnerable to this type of attack.
Documentation from Let's Encrypt clarifies that HTTPS protects website users from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, ensuring data integrity and user security. It also covers compliance requirements.
Documentation from MDN Web Docs details that insecure contexts (HTTP) lack privacy and integrity, making them vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Modern browsers restrict features in insecure contexts, diminishing functionality.
Documentation from IETF explains the security issues of using HTTP, especially when dealing with sensitive user data. HTTP links can expose users to eavesdropping, tampering, and other security threats, impacting user trust and experience.