SSL certificates affect SEO positively by providing a secure connection between a user's browser and the website they're visiting. This security is indicated by the padlock icon and "https://" in the URL. Search engines like Google consider website security important and may give a slight ranking boost to websites with SSL certificates. Additionally, SSL certificates help build trust with visitors, as they know their data is encrypted and protected from hackers. This trust can lead to higher engagement and better user experience, both of which are important factors for SEO rankings.
