What Happened to the Green Address Bar on EV Certificates?

The evolution of browser security indicators has seen significant changes in recent years, most notably the removal of the distinctive green address bar that was long associated with Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates.

This visual trust indicator, which first appeared in 2007, served as a prominent security feature that helped users instantly identify websites with the highest level of business verification.

Historical Significance of the Green Address Bar

Extended Validation SSL Certificates traditionally displayed a green address bar containing the organization legal name and country of registration.

This visual element was designed to provide immediate trust signals to website visitors, distinguishing sites with comprehensive business verification from those with standard SSL Certificates.

The green bar became a recognized symbol of authenticity, particularly valuable for financial institutions, ecommerce platforms, and organizations handling sensitive customer data.

During its implementation, the green address bar required organizations to complete rigorous validation procedures through their Certificate Authority.

This process included detailed business verification, legal documentation review, and operational checks that far exceeded the requirements of standard SSL Certificates.

Trustico® and other leading Certificate Authorities maintained strict protocols for issuing EV SSL Certificates, ensuring the highest levels of verification.

Browser Changes and Industry Evolution

The removal of the green address bar began in 2019 when Google Chrome version 77 eliminated this visual indicator. Mozilla Firefox and other major browsers followed suit, standardizing their security indicators across different SSL Certificate types.

This change reflected a broader industry shift in how browsers communicate security information to users, focusing instead on highlighting non-secure connections rather than emphasizing varying levels of security.

The decision to remove the green address bar was influenced by several factors. User research indicated that many visitors did not understand the significance of different address bar colors, leading to confusion rather than clarity.

Additionally, the rise of mobile browsing, where screen space is limited, necessitated a more streamlined approach to security indicators.

Current Security Indicators

Modern browsers now display security information through more subtle indicators. EV SSL Certificates still provide the same high level of validation and security, but the visual representation has changed to a standard padlock icon.

When users click on this icon, they can access detailed SSL Certificate information, including the organization name and verification status. This approach maintains the security benefits of EV SSL Certificates while adapting to contemporary user interface design principles.

Certificate Authorities continue to offer EV SSL Certificates as their premium validation option. Organizations utilizing these SSL Certificates benefit from the same rigorous verification processes and enhanced security features, even without the green visual indicator.

The validation requirements established by the CA/Browser Forum remain unchanged, ensuring that EV SSL Certificates maintain their position as the highest trust indicator in the SSL Certificate hierarchy.

Impact on Business Security

Despite the removal of the green address bar, Extended Validation SSL Certificates continue to play a crucial role in online security and business credibility.

Organizations implementing EV SSL Certificates still receive comprehensive business authentication, which helps protect against phishing attempts and provides customers with verifiable proof of business identity.

The SSL Certificate details remain accessible through browser security panels, allowing security-conscious users to verify organization credentials.

The evolution of browser security indicators reflects the dynamic nature of web security standards and user experience design.

While visual representations may change, the fundamental security and validation processes behind EV SSL Certificates remain robust and essential for organizations requiring the highest levels of trust and verification in their digital presence.