Have you heard the term "favicon" and found yourself wondering what it actually is? Surprisingly, it’s something you’ve seen and used countless times while browsing the web. It’s small, but it plays a big role in how websites are recognized.
If you want to use this small icon in your favor, you need to know its benefits and how to create it. In this article, you will learn what is a favicon and how to create one. So, keep reading till the end.
What Is A Favicon?
A favicon, short for “favorite icon”, is a small but important image that represents your website. The icon holds a significant place while creating a website. It usually appears in several places, such as the tab of your web browser, the address bar, bookmark lists, and even on mobile devices when someone saves your website to their home screen.
You’ve probably seen favicons hundreds of times without realizing it. For example, the blue “f” for Facebook, the red play button for YouTube, or the colorful “G” for Google.
These small images help people quickly identify websites at a glance, especially when they have multiple tabs open or are scrolling through their bookmarks.
Although a favicon is tiny, usually 16x16 or 32x32 pixels, it plays a big role in user experience and branding. A well-designed favicon makes your website look more polished and trustworthy. It shows that you’ve paid attention to the little details, which can help build credibility with your visitors.
If you’re running a blog, business website, or any online platform, having a custom favicon helps set your site apart. It makes your website easier to recognize and return to.
Where Does The Favicon Appear?
A favicon appears in several key places across web browsers and devices to help users identify and navigate your website quickly. Here’s where you’ll typically see a favicon.
Browser Tab
The most common place for a favicon is on the tab of your web browser. When you open multiple tabs, favicons make it easier to distinguish between them. It appears right next to the website title.
Address Bar
In some browsers, the favicon also appears in the address bar next to the website URL. This is particularly helpful for mobile users who might not have a lot of screen space but still need a quick visual identifier for the site.
Bookmarks and Favorites
When users save your website to their bookmarks or favorites list, the favicon shows up next to the website name. It makes it easier for users to recognize and quickly access your site later without having to read the full title.
Mobile Home Screen
When someone saves your website as a shortcut on their phone or tablet home screen, the favicon will be used as the app icon. This is crucial for mobile users who want a fast way to return to your site without having to search for it again.
Search Engine Results
In some search engines, like Google, favicons appear next to website URLs in the search results. This helps users quickly identify your site in a crowded list of results.
PWA (Progressive Web App)
If your website functions as a Progressive Web App, the favicon is used as the app icon when the site is installed on a device. This allows users to recognize your brand even when they access the site offline.
Social Media Shares
When you share your website link on social media platforms, the favicon might show up next to the link preview. It can help improve visibility and brand recognition.
Google Listing
Favicons also appear next to your website in Google’s business listings. When your site appears in local search results, the favicon gives users an instant visual cue and helps them recognize your business more easily.
Related Read: Local SEO Guide
Browser History
In your browser’s history, favicons appear next to the website URL, which makes it easier for users to find and return to previously visited sites. This visual reference speeds up navigation, especially when looking through a long list of visited pages.
What Is The Benefit Of A Favicon?
There are multiple benefits you can enjoy from having a favicon for your website. Some of them are given below.
Enhances Brand Identity
A favicon helps strengthen your brand’s identity by providing a visual symbol that represents your website. It makes your site more recognizable, especially when users have multiple tabs or bookmarks open.
Improves User Experience
Favicons contribute to a better user experience by making it easier for users to navigate between multiple open tabs. Instead of reading each website title, users can quickly identify your site by its favicon, which saves them time and improves convenience.
Increases Visibility
When a website is saved to bookmarks or the mobile home screen, its favicon is displayed. This increases brand awareness and ensures users can quickly find your website again without searching for it. It's especially helpful for returning visitors who want easy access.
Builds Trust and Professionalism
Having a custom favicon makes your website look more polished and professional. It shows attention to detail and that you've put thought into every aspect of your site.
Boosts Recognition in Search Results:
Favicons appear next to URLs in search results, especially on search engines like Google. This feature helps your website stand out among many results and increases the likelihood of being clicked on by users.
Improves Mobile Experience
For mobile users, favicons appear on the home screen when a website is saved as a shortcut. It helps users easily recognize your site and access it with a single tap, which improves engagement and retention on mobile devices.
Assists in Browser History Navigation
Favicons also appear next to website URLs in browser history. This makes it easier for users to find and revisit websites they’ve previously visited, which improves navigation and reduces the time spent searching.
How To Create A Favicon?
Creating a favicon doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many free favicon generators and tools available online that make the process quick and easy, even if you don’t have any design experience.
Here are some of the sites you can use to generate a favicon.
Favicon.io – Create a favicon from text, an image, or an emoji.RealFaviconGenerator.net – Offers more advanced options for different devices and browsers.Favicon.cc – A simple, pixel-based editor where you can draw your favicon directly.Canva – Design a square logo (e.g., 512x512 px), then download and convert it to a favicon using one of the above generators.
Bonus Tips
You can create any types of websites with Dorik AI without writing a single line of code. You just need to write a prompt describing what you want. Dorik AI website builder will generate full full-functioning website in seconds. It will also populate your site with SEO optimized copy and pixel-perfect images.
Now the question is: How can I create a favicon using Dorik AI?
Here is the catch! Dorik AI offers a robust AI Image Generator, which is integrated into the builder. To access it, simply create a site with Dorik and enjoy seamless image generation directly within the builder.
Using an AI image generator like Dorik’s is quite easy. You just need to give a suitable image prompt for the type of icon you want. For example: “minimalist camera icon” or “letter M in a modern style, and Dorik AI will generate an image you can use.
Once you're happy with the design, download the image, resize it (e.g., to 32x32 or 48x48 px) using any resizing software, and upload it directly through Dorik.
To update your favicon through Dorik, you have to follow the steps,
Step 1: First, navigate to your Site Settings.
Step 2: After that, open the Favicon and Social Media Image section.
Step 3: Then, upload or update your desired favicon. You can also generate a favicon using AI from here.
Step 4: Finally, hit Publish to save and apply the changes.
Guidelines For Creating An Effective Favicon
Designing a favicon may seem like a small task, but it plays a big role in branding and user experience. Just like different types of logos, different types of favicons can also make a difference.
Here are some essential guidelines to help you create a favicon that is both attractive and functional.
Keep It Simple
Favicons are displayed at very small sizes, often 16x16 or 32x32 pixels. Avoid using too many details, words, or complex images. A bold letter, symbol, or simplified version of your logo often works best.
Use High Contrast
Choose colors that stand out from each other to ensure the design remains clear and visible, even at small sizes. High contrast helps your favicon remain recognizable across different devices and screen types.
However, make sure the color matches your logo color and website theme.
Stick to a Square Format
Favicons are always square, so your design should be created on a square canvas (e.g., 512x512 pixels). This ensures it fits properly across browsers and platforms without being distorted.
Optimize for Multiple Sizes
While 16x16 is the standard size, modern browsers and devices may use 32x32, 48x48, or even 180x180 pixels for icons. Design your favicon in a larger size and then resize it for different uses to maintain quality.
Choose the Right File Format
Use .ico, .png, or .svg formats, depending on browser compatibility. The .ico format is most widely supported, however, nowadays it is considered outdated. On the other hand, .png offers better image quality and is easier to create.
Make It Brand-Aligned
Ensure your favicon reflects your brand’s identity. Use brand colors, fonts, or recognizable elements from your logo so users can instantly associate the icon with your website. Otherwise, it would be difficult for users to recognize your brand or site through your favicon.
Test on Different Devices and Browsers
Once your favicon is created and uploaded, check how it looks on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Also, view it on different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge to ensure consistent appearance.
Avoid Text When Possible
Text is usually too small to read clearly in a favicon. Instead of including your full brand name, consider using a single letter, an initial, or an abstract symbol that represents your brand.
FAQs
Does favicon help with SEO?
Yes, favicons can indirectly help with SEO by improving user experience and brand recognition. A visible favicon in search results or browser tabs can make your site stand out and increase the chances of getting more clicks.
Is A favicon a JPEG or PNG?
Favicons are typically in .ico, .png, or .svg formats. While PNG is widely used due to its clarity and transparency support, JPEG is not ideal because it doesn’t support transparency, which is important for clean favicon display.
Are favicons still used?
Absolutely! Favicons are still widely used across modern browsers, mobile devices, and even in search results. They help websites look more professional, support branding, and improve navigation by making sites easier to recognize among multiple open tabs.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you know what a favicon is and how to use it. A favicon may be small in size, but its impact on branding, user experience, and online visibility is significant.
With many easy-to-use generators and platforms like Dorik offering built-in support, creating and uploading a favicon has never been easier. Take the time to design one that reflects your brand, because it's a small step that makes a big difference.
Have a nice day!
