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What’s a Favicon—And Why That Tiny Icon Might Be Costing You Clicks
Let me tell you a quick story.
When I first launched my website, I triple-checked every page. Fonts were perfect, colors were on-brand, and the mobile version? Chef’s kiss.
But then, something weird happened. I Googled my own business—just to see how it looked in the search results—and noticed a tiny detail that felt… off.
There it was: my shiny new site, sandwiched between competitors, but instead of a little brand icon next to my name? Just a boring grey globe. No personality. No polish. No me.
I’d forgotten the favicon.
Wait—What Even Is a Favicon?
A favicon (short for “favorite icon”) is that tiny image you see in your browser tab next to a page title. It also appears when you bookmark a site, pin it to your phone home screen, or—crucially—in Google search results.
Yep, that’s right:
Your favicon is part of how your website shows up in Google search.
It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s a subtle but powerful piece of your brand’s first impression.
Why Favicons Matter (Even Though They’re Tiny)
In a crowded search result page, your favicon acts like a visual flag. It can help your site stand out, grab attention, and build instant brand recognition.
Here’s why it’s important:
- It enhances your search snippet, making your listing more visually appealing
- It can increase your click-through rate, because your site looks more legitimate and memorable
- It strengthens brand awareness, every time someone sees that icon—even subconsciously
- Google uses it, plain and simple. The favicon shows up directly next to your website name in mobile and desktop search results
Think of it as your digital handshake. Small, but mighty.
How to Create a Favicon That Google Loves
The best part? You don’t need to be a developer or designer to add a favicon (though, if you need help—hi, I’m right here ). Here’s a quick guide to get it right:
The best part? You don’t need to be a developer or designer to add a favicon (though, if you need help—hi, I’m right here ). Here’s a quick guide to get it right:
✔︎ Design It
- Use a simplified version of your logo, brand mark, or even a bold letter
- Stick to square dimensions—48x48px or larger (Google recommends at least 48px)
- Save it as a
.pngor.icofile with a transparent background if possible
✔︎ Add It to Your Site
- Upload the favicon to your website’s root directory
- Add this line of code to your site’s
<head>tag:<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png"> - Or, if you’re using a platform like Showit, WordPress, or Squarespace—there’s likely a simple setting for “Site Icon” or “Favicon” in your dashboard
✔︎ Follow Google’s Guidelines
- Use a consistent favicon across your site
- Make sure it’s crawlable (not blocked in your robots.txt file)
- Avoid text or overly detailed icons—they don’t scale well
You can read Google’s official favicon documentation here.
It’s More Than Just a Tiny Icon
It’s easy to overlook something so small. But in the world of branding and user experience, every detail adds up.
A favicon says:
“This business is professional.”
“You can trust this site.”
“Remember me next time you’re searching.”
And for you? It says you’re not missing a single opportunity to show up like the polished, legit brand you are.
Final Thought
If you’ve been focusing on the big stuff—layouts, copy, colors—I get it. But now it’s time to take care of the details that tie it all together.
Because your brand deserves to look legit everywhere. Even in a tiny 16x16px space.
And if you’d rather hand it over to someone who knows their way around favicons, SEO, and design that converts? You know where to find me.
