A favicon is the small icon that appears in your browser tab next to your site title. It’s also shown in bookmarks, search results, and sometimes browser history. Short for “favorite icon,” it’s a tiny but powerful piece of your visual identity.
Even though it’s just 16×16 or 32×32 pixels, it plays a bigger role than most people realize.
Why favicons matter
- Brand recognition: A familiar icon helps users recognize your site at a glance.
- Trust: A missing or generic favicon can make your site feel unfinished or less professional.
- User experience: In a sea of open tabs, a favicon helps users quickly find yours.
- Mobile and browser compatibility: Some platforms use favicons as app-like icons or shortcuts.
What makes a good favicon?
- Simplicity: At such a small size, minimal designs work best.
- Clarity: Use a bold initial, symbol, or logo mark—not your full logo.
- Consistency: Match your brand colors and icon style.
- Proper sizing: Modern favicons are no longer just
.icofiles. You may need multiple sizes for different devices (e.g. 16×16, 32×32, 180×180 for Apple devices).
How to set it up
If you’re using WordPress:
- Go to Appearance → Customize → Site Identity and upload your favicon (called “Site Icon”).
- Most themes and page builders support it.
- For full compatibility (especially with Apple/Android), you can use a free tool like RealFaviconGenerator to generate all the right formats.
Best practices
- Test how it looks in dark and light browser tabs.
- Avoid too much detail—it will blur at small sizes.
- Save in multiple formats if needed (.ico, .png, .svg).
Bottom line
Your favicon is one of those “invisible credibility signals.” Users may not notice when it’s done right—but they will notice when it’s missing. It takes just a few minutes to set up, but it adds a polished, professional edge to your brand.
