Certificate revocation is the process of invalidating a digital security certificate before its expiration date. These certificates are used to establish trust between a user’s browser and a secure website, ensuring that data is encrypted and safe from tampering. But sometimes, a certificate needs to be canceled—maybe because it was stolen, misused, or issued in error. Revocation tells the browser, “Don’t trust this certificate anymore.”

When a browser encounters a revoked certificate, it may show a warning or block access to the website altogether. This keeps visitors from unknowingly submitting sensitive data to potentially unsafe sites.

Why certificate revocation matters for websites

Certificate revocation is essential for protecting users and maintaining your website’s credibility. If your certificate is compromised and not revoked, users might continue to interact with a site that’s no longer secure. That can lead to data breaches or stolen information.

Search engines also consider website security when ranking content. An expired or revoked certificate may impact your SEO performance. To keep your site trustworthy and search-friendly, always keep an eye on your certificate status and renew or revoke when needed.

How certificate revocation works

There are a couple of common ways browsers check if a certificate has been revoked:

• Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs): These are lists published by Certificate Authorities (CAs) that include serial numbers of revoked certificates. Browsers download them and check for matches.
• Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP): This is a faster, more modern method where the browser asks the CA in real time if a certificate is still valid.

If either method reports that the certificate is revoked, the browser can take action, like warning the user or blocking the connection.

Common reasons for certificate revocation

Several situations can trigger a certificate revocation:

• The private key was compromised, making the certificate insecure.
• The domain ownership changed, and the original certificate is no longer valid.
• The certificate was issued incorrectly, such as to the wrong entity.
• The site is no longer active, and the owner requested revocation.

Revoking certificates quickly in these scenarios is critical to prevent potential security risks for your users.

Keeping your certificate up to date

Staying proactive with your SSL/TLS certificate management can save you headaches later. Use a reliable certificate provider and consider automating renewals and checks. If you’re using a website builder like B12, certificate management may already be included, so you don’t have to manually track expiration or revocation needs.

Also, be sure to test your site regularly using browser tools or third-party services that detect SSL issues. That way, you can address revocation or renewal before users experience problems.

FAQs about certificate revocation

How do I know if my site’s certificate has been revoked?

You can check your certificate status using tools like SSL Labs or a certificate checker from your certificate provider. Most will tell you if the certificate is active, expired, or revoked. Web browsers may also alert you with a warning message if a revoked certificate is detected.

What happens if a user visits my site after my certificate is revoked?

Most modern browsers will either show a full-screen warning or block the page altogether. This creates a poor user experience and can damage your credibility. That's why it’s critical to act fast if you suspect an issue.

Who has the authority to revoke a certificate?

Only the Certificate Authority (CA) that issued the certificate can revoke it. If you’re the domain owner, you can usually request revocation through your CA’s control panel or customer support.

Is revocation permanent? Can I undo it?

Once revoked, a certificate cannot be reinstated. You’ll need to generate a new certificate if you still need secure access for your domain. This ensures maximum security by preventing the reuse of compromised credentials.

Does certificate revocation impact my SEO?

Yes, in a roundabout way. If browsers block access to your site due to an untrusted certificate, search engines may lower your site’s ranking. Also, users will likely leave the site quickly, which can increase bounce rates and further affect SEO performance.

Stay secure and earn trust with the right website tools

Handling things like certificate revocation may sound technical, but it plays a big role in how trustworthy your website feels to visitors. If you're using a platform like B12’s AI website builder, many of these security basics are handled automatically for you. It’s a simple way to keep your site secure and running smoothly. Sign up and start building a secure, professional website today.