If you’ve recently received a message from your hosting provider (such as IONOS), you may have seen mention of SSL certificate expiry periods being reduced.
And yes — this is a global change.
But don’t panic.
Let me explain what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what it means for your business website.
The global browser community – including Google, Apple and Mozilla has agreed to shorten the maximum validity period for SSL/TLS certificates.
Currently, SSL certificates can be valid for up to 365 days.
From March 10, 2026, the maximum validity will reduce to:
This means any new or renewed SSL certificates will need to be updated twice per year instead of once.
There is no additional cost for most users but it does change how websites are maintained.
An SSL certificate:
Without SSL, browsers will show:
Which damages trust immediately.
This change isn’t random.
It’s about improving global security standards.
Shorter validity periods mean:
In short:
For most small businesses:
The biggest risk?
If a certificate isn’t renewed on time, your website may:
Indirectly, yes.
Search engines prioritise secure websites. If your SSL expires:
Google has confirmed HTTPS is a ranking signal, so maintaining valid SSL is essential.
If you work with us, this is exactly the kind of technical change I monitor for you.
You shouldn’t have to track browser policy updates, that’s part of what you’re paying for.
If you’re hosted with a provider like IONOS, this change will be implemented automatically for new and renewed certificates.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a crisis.
It’s a security improvement.
But it is a reminder that websites aren’t “set and forget” assets.
They require:
If you’re unsure about your SSL setup, website security, or WordPress maintenance plan – we are happy to review it for you.