Favicon
Small website icon in the browser
What is Favicon?
A favicon is a small icon that represents a website in the browser tab, bookmarks, history, and Google search results. On mobile devices it also appears as the icon when the website is added to the home screen. It is usually a simplified logo or its symbol. It is prepared in several sizes and formats, such as ICO, PNG, and SVG. It is added to a website through links in the page's HTML head.
Why It Matters
A favicon helps users quickly find a website among open tabs and bookmarks. Google shows it next to search results, so a distinctive icon increases brand recognition and can support clicks. A website without a favicon, or with a generic one, looks unfinished and less trustworthy. Google recommends a square icon larger than 48 × 48 px so it displays sharply. It is a low-cost detail that improves the overall impression of a website.
Real-World Examples
- 1A symbol from the company logo shown in the browser tab.
- 2The website icon in Google mobile search results.
- 3The icon shown after adding the website to an iPhone home screen.
- 4An SVG favicon that adapts to the browser's dark mode.
- 5Replacing a theme's default icon with a custom one at launch.