Google has tweaked its search results formula to promote the search results rankings of encrypted – and thus, more secure – websites. These sites have URL addresses that begin with “https.”

According to the Associated Press, Google’s move is directly related to U.S. government’s covert surveillance efforts as revealed by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, and by major security breaches that have demonstrated a need for better online security.

Encryption will not become an all-encompassing factor in determining search results rankings as websites will continue to be ranked based on quality of content and relevance to a search request, according to the AP.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based company has a major stake in web security overall as its revenues come from online ads. A reticent public that is less likely to surf the web amid fears of divulging personal information is not in Google’s or its partner’s interests.

Unencrypted websites are easier to hack by government surveillance programs and hackers alike. “When websites are encrypted, it’s more difficult for interlopers to sweep up data transmitted over unsecured Wi-Fi networks in homes or widely trafficked areas such as airports or stores,” the AP reported.

Amid Snowden’s revelations and the more recent disclosure this week that Russian hackers have obtained more than 1.2 billion passwords from some 400,000 websites, per security firm Hold Security, Google is sending a message to sites to invest in encryption.

The AP reports that with two out of three search requests fulfilled through Google, “encrypting websites will cost their owners extra money, but they could lose even more if they fall out of Google’s favor.”