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Security & HTTPS

SSL Certificate Name Mismatch — Causes, Fixes & SEO Impact

If the domain or subdomain to which your SSL certificate is registered doesn't match the name shown in the browser’s address bar, users will see a name mismatch error. When this happens, most modern browsers will block access to your site for security reasons, displaying a warning page instead of your content.

Why This Error Happens

• Wrong domain on certificate: The SSL certificate was issued for www.example.com but your site loads as example.com (or vice versa).
• Using a subdomain without coverage: Certificate covers example.com but not blog.example.com.
• Expired or incorrect certificate: A new domain was set up, but the SSL certificate was never updated.
• Third-party hosting or CDN misconfiguration: Using a CDN or reverse proxy without proper SSL settings can cause mismatches.

Impact on SEO & Traffic

An SSL name mismatch is not just a technical problem — it’s a major SEO risk:

• Browsers show a red warning page, causing visitors to leave immediately.
• Search engines may flag your site as “Not Secure,” lowering trust scores.
• Google prioritizes HTTPS in rankings, so an error can hurt your position in search results.
• Organic traffic can drop sharply due to user abandonment and ranking loss.

How to Fix SSL Name Mismatch Errors

1. Check the certificate details: Use tools like SSL Labs Test to see what domain your SSL is registered to.
2. Include both www and non-www versions: When issuing your certificate, make sure it covers example.com and www.example.com.
3. Use a wildcard certificate: If you have multiple subdomains, consider a wildcard SSL (e.g., *.example.com).
4. Update hosting/CDN settings: Ensure the SSL certificate on your server matches the domain visitors see.
5. Renew expired certificates: Replace outdated SSL certificates promptly to maintain trust.

Preventing Future Issues

• Always purchase SSL certificates from trusted providers.
• Set up automatic SSL renewal where possible.
• Check your SSL after making DNS, hosting, or CDN changes.
• Redirect all variations of your site to one preferred HTTPS version.

By keeping your SSL configuration correct, you protect user trust, maintain strong SEO rankings, and ensure that your website remains accessible to everyone.

Last updated: August 9, 2025