Why Missing FAQ Schema and Security Headers Both Hurt Your Rankings

Based on TrustedWeb’s scans of 110 websites this week, we see a clear pattern: websites with better security consistently score higher in search rankings.

The Hidden Link Between Security and Rankings

Most website owners treat security and SEO as separate concerns. They hire an SEO agency and a security provider, and the two never talk to each other. This is a mistake.

Based on our scanning data, websites that score above 80 on our trust score consistently rank better than those below 50. The correlation is clear: secure websites perform better in search.

Key Areas Where Security Meets SEO

Structured Data and Security

Google is increasingly using structured data (like FAQ schema, review schema, and organization schema) to understand your site. But if your site is compromised, attackers can inject malicious structured data that triggers spam penalties.

HTTPS and Rankings

HTTPS has been a confirmed ranking signal since 2014. But many sites have “HTTPS” without proper implementation — mixed content, expired certificates, and missing redirects all undermine the benefit.

Page Speed and Malware

Injected scripts slow down your pages. Google’s Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) are directly affected by malicious code running on your pages.

Take Action

The good news is that fixing security issues often gives you an immediate SEO boost. Start with a comprehensive scan to see where you stand.