A WebmasterWorld thread links to a story that says Google has recently begun defaulting to Google’s secure, encrypted search worldwide.

Here is a statement from Niki Christoff, Google’s Director of Corporate Communications:

Honestly, I thought Google’s secure search was default globally already based on my 93% not provided count. But I guess, it will soon be 100%.

Yes, as Google defaults all search to SSL, it will stripe out the referral query data and marketers will lose out as well. Most don’t care if it goes global because most have already lost 90%+.

But we are eagerly awaiting what Google is going to announce with the upcoming not provided changes.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.