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Cover image for A checklist for 2026 Web Security: Why TLS 1.3 and DMARC are no longer optional for SEO and GEO (AI visibility)
Marius Gherasim
Marius Gherasim

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A checklist for 2026 Web Security: Why TLS 1.3 and DMARC are no longer optional for SEO and GEO (AI visibility)

In 2026, website security is no longer an optional add-on; it is your digital foundation. Whether your visitors are humans, search engine bots, or AI agents, a secure site is the only way to maintain trust and visibility.

Think of security as the locks on your front door: if they are broken, you risk losing your data, your customers, and your search engine rankings. To ensure your "locks" are solid, you need to instantly audit your website, identifying and fixing security flaws before they become liabilities.

🛡️ Why Security Matters Now

For Humans: A "Not Secure" warning kills brand trust. Regularly scanning your SSL/TLS certificates ensures visitors always feel safe.

For Search Engines: Google penalizes sites with security gaps. A clean audit helps maintain your SEO rankings and prevents manual actions.

For AI Agents: AI crawlers (like Gemini or ChatGPT) prioritize secure, high-authority sources. If flaws are detected, AI agents may skip your content entirely.

⚠️ The Silent Risks

Most site owners don't realize they are at risk until it's too late. It is vital to shine a light on "hidden" issues like: Vulnerable Libraries: Identifying outdated code with known exploits.

DNS Gaps: Flagging missing SPF or DMARC records to prevent hackers from spoofing your email.

Script Risks: Auditing third-party tools (like chats or cookie banners) that might be leaking data.

✅ Fix it Fast

Securing your site doesn't have to be a manual headache. You can turn a complex audit into an easy, actionable process: Check Your Score: Instantly see your Threat Intelligence breakdown. If your score isn't a perfect green, you need to know exactly why.

Seal DNS Leaks: Identify missing CAA or DMARC records and get the data you need to fix them in your domain settings.

Audit Scripts: Easily review "Medium Risk" scripts. If you don’t recognize a third-party script, remove it to keep your site clean.

Modern Encryption: Ensure you are using TLS 1.3, the gold standard for secure communication in 2026.

Is your site ready for the year ahead? Don't wait for a breach to find out. Head over to a Refactor.Tools run an audit and keep your digital presence safe, visible, and trusted.

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