A favicon, short for “favorite icon”, is a small, iconic image that is displayed in the address bar of a browser next to the URL of a website or on a bookmark tab. It serves as a visual representation of the website and helps users to quickly identify tabs or bookmarks. Favicons are an important element of web design and brand identity as they help to make a website recognizable and memorable.
What is a favicon and why is it important? #
A favicon is more than just a simple image; it is an essential part of a brand or website’s online identity. It makes a website more professional and trustworthy and improves the user experience by making it easier to navigate. In addition, favicons play a role in search engine optimization (SEO), as they can increase the click-through rate (CTR) from search results by attracting attention.
How do you create a favicon? #
- Design: The design should be simple and clear in order to remain recognizable even in a small format. It should contain the brand logo or another representative element.
- Format and size: Favicons are typically saved in ICO format to ensure compatibility with different browsers, but PNG is increasingly accepted. The recommended size for a favicon is 16×16 pixels, but larger sizes such as 32×32 or 64×64 pixels can also be used to support different devices and display situations.
- Integration into the website: The favicon is integrated into the HTML code of a website using the
<link>tag in the<head>area.
FAQ #
What is the ideal size for a favicon? The recommended size for a favicon is 16×16 pixels, but sizes such as 32×32 or 64×64 pixels can also be used for better display on different devices.
In which format should a favicon be saved? The traditional format is ICO, but PNG is increasingly accepted because of its flexibility and quality.
How do I integrate a favicon into my website? A favicon is integrated by adding a <link> tag to the <head> area of the HTML code of a web page.
Summary #
Favicons are small but powerful tools for brand identity and user experience on the Internet. They support recognition and can even have a positive influence on the SEO performance of a website. With a well-designed favicon, you can add a professional touch to your website and improve navigation for your visitors.
Sources:
[1] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favicon
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favicon
[3] https://www.seo-united.de/glossar/favicon/
[4] https://www.seobility.net/de/wiki/Favicon
[5] https://www.ionos.de/digitalguide/websites/webdesign/favicon-groesse-und-format/
[6] https://www.ionos.de/digitalguide/websites/webdesign/was-ist-ein-favicon/
[7] https://www.om-strategen.de/glossar/favicon/
[8] https://wiki.selfhtml.org/wiki/Favicon