What is a favicon?

A favicon, short for "favoriteicon," is a smallimage icon, usually 16×16 or 32×32 pixels in size, that appears in theaddress barof abrowser next to theURLorin the tab when a website is accessed. It can also appear in bookmarks, in the browser history, and on the home screen when the website isaddedasan app link.FaviconsareusuallystoredinICO format, but formats such asPNGandGIFarealso supported.

Um ein Favicon auf Ihrer Website zu implementieren, bieten wir Ihnen eine Anleitung: Fügen Sie folgenden HTML-Code im < head>-Bereich Ihrer HTML-Seite ein:

Replace "path/to/favicon.png" with the actual path to your favicon. This method works for most modern browsers and supports PNG files, which offer better quality and transparency than ICO files.

In the current WordPress 6.5.4, you can add a favicon via the admin dashboard:

• Go to "Settings" and then to "General."

• Here you will find the "Website icon" option, where you can upload the favicon.

• Upload your image with a minimum size of 512 x 512 pixels and publish the changes. The image upload is automatically processed by WordPress to correctly integrate the favicon.

The favicon and Apple Touch Icon serve similar purposes but have different functions and uses in the context ofweb designanduser experience. Here are the main differences between the two:

1.Intended use and platform

• Favicon: A favicon is a small icon that is mainly displayed in browser tabs, address bars, bookmarks, and browser history. It is designed to be universal for all platforms and is supported by most web browsers.

• Apple Touch Icon: This icon is designed specifically for Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads. It is used when someone saves the website to the home screen of their iOS device. The Apple Touch Icon enables high-resolution display that blends in well with the iOS look and feel.

2.Size and resolution

• Favicon: Favicons are typically small (usually 16×16 or 32×32 pixels) and can be in various formats such as ICO, PNG, and GIF. They must be clear and recognizable, even when displayed very small. In modern CMS, such as WordPress, a size of 512×512 pixels or larger is recommended.

• Apple Touch Icon: Apple Touch Icons are significantly larger than favicons and are recommended in various sizes for different devices, typically ranging from 120×120 pixels to 180×180 pixels. These larger dimensions support the Retina displays of Apple devices, which have a higher pixel density.

3.Implementation in HTML code

• <link rel=“icon“ type=“image/png“ href=“/pfad/zum/favicon.png“>

• Apple Touch Icon: The Apple Touch Icon also requires a link tag, but specifies a different relation that indicates specific use by Apple devices:

  <link rel=“apple-touch-icon“ href=“/pfad/zum/apple-touch-icon.png“>

  Sometimes size attributes are also added to directly address different devices.

4.Design considerations

• Favicon: When designing a favicon, it is important that the logo is still recognizable even in very small sizes. Simple, clear designs work best.

• Apple Touch Icon: Since these icons are larger, they can be designed in greater detail and must be optimized for good display on a device's home screen.

To create a favicon, you canuseanexisting graphic of your logo or design a new image that captures the essence of your brand. This image shouldbeclear andrecognizable, even atvery low resolutions. Graphic design software or special online favicon generators can be used to bring the image into the correct format and size.

There are several free favicon generators that are easy to use and deliver good results. Here are some popular options:

1. Favicon.io

• Website:favicon.io

• Special features: One of the most user-friendly favicon generators. You can create favicons from text, images, or even emojis. It also offers a preview of the favicons in different browser tabs.

2. RealFaviconGenerator

• Website:realfavicongenerator.net

• Special features: Offers detailed customization options and generates favicons that are compatible with all major browsers and platforms, including iOS devices and Android. You can even test how they appear on different devices.

3. Favicon Generator

• Website:favicon-generator.org

• Special features: Allows you to upload an image, which is then converted into various favicon formats for web browsers, including iOS and Android icons.

4. X-Icon Editor

• Website:xiconeditor.com

• Special features: An interactive favicon editor that allows you to create and customize a favicon directly in your browser. You can upload an existing image or draw one from scratch.

5. favicon.cc

• Website:favicon.cc

• Special features: Offers a pixel-based editing interface that allows you to design a favicon pixel by pixel. It also supports the creation of animated favicons.

6. Letter generator

• Special features: A tool that allows users to quickly and easily create their own favicon by entering their initials.

These tools are particularly useful for web developers and designers who want to quickly and efficiently create an attractive favicon for their website without having to install or purchase software.

A favicon itself has no direct influence on a website's search engine optimization (SEO) in terms of rankings orimprovingsearch engine position. However, it contributes indirectly to SEO by improving the user experience, which is an important factor for search engines such as Google. In the context of online marketing, a favicon can help increase visibility and brand awareness, which in turn boosts a website's performance. Here are some indirect ways a favicon can influence a website's SEO:

1. User engagement and recognition: Favicons help users quickly recognize a website in a list of search results or open tabs. This can increase the likelihood that users will return to a website, which in turn can increase the click-through rate (CTR). A higher CTR can be interpreted by search engines as a sign of relevance and quality.

2. Improved user experience: As mentioned above, a favicon helps users recognize your website more easily in their bookmarks or tabs. A positive user experience can lead to longer visit times and lower bounce rates. Search engines rank websites with good user experience higher, as this is a sign of quality and user satisfaction.

3. Increased brand awareness: A consistent and recognizable favicon can help increase brand awareness and recognition. When users have a positive association with a brand, they are more likely to search for and interact with its content, which in turn can have a positive impact on SEO.

4. Mobile user experience: Since favicons are particularly prominent on mobile devices when users add a website to their home screen, the favicon also plays a role in the mobile user experience. Since mobile-first indexing is an important component of Google's ranking strategy, any improvement in the mobile experience potentially contributes to SEO.