Question 1

What is a favicon?

Accepted Answer

A favicon is the small icon shown in browser tabs, bookmarks, and alongside URLs in search results. It is typically a 16×16 or 32×32 pixel image linked in the HTML <head>.

Question 2

What favicon formats should I use?

Accepted Answer

Use .ico for broad browser compatibility, add a 180×180 PNG as apple-touch-icon for iOS home screens, and optionally provide an SVG favicon for modern browsers that scale it perfectly.

Question 3

Why does my favicon not show in Google search results?

Accepted Answer

Google requires favicons to be at least 48×48 pixels and properly linked with a <link rel="icon"> tag. A missing link tag, an incorrect path, or a file smaller than 48px are the most common causes.

Question 4

Does a missing favicon hurt SEO?

Accepted Answer

Not directly, but it reduces brand recognition in search results and bookmarks. Pages without favicons look less trustworthy in search result lists, which can lower click-through rate over time.

Question 5

How do I add a favicon to my site?

Accepted Answer

Place your favicon.ico in the root directory and add inside the of your HTML. For modern browsers, also add a 32×32 PNG and an SVG variant.

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