In 2017, WordPress will start introducing features which require websites have HTTPS available, the company stated in an announcement today. WordPress describes the change as the “next hurdle” users are going to face, akin to the adoption of Javascript.
The first change WordPress will make is to no longer promote hosting partners unless they provide an SSL certificate by default for all accounts. This change is said to happen in early 2017.
The company will further assess which features would benefit most from SSL, and only make them available when SSL is present on a website. One of the features being considered is API authentication.
This is another example of a major web company’s push toward a safer and more encrypted internet. With this change, there’s no doubt the amount of WordPress websites on HTTPS is about to increase.
