What Is the Purpose of a Favicon & Does it Hold Any SEO Value?

In this article, we'll explore the purpose of the favicon and give tips on using this icon on your website for SEO optimization

By Claudio Pires
Updated on August 31, 2023
What Is the Purpose of a Favicon & Does it Hold Any SEO Value?

You have seen those small icons at the top bar of your browser near the website’s name. They are called favicons, and the term comes from what was known as the “favorite icon.” In this article, we’ll explore the purpose of the favicon and give tips on using this icon on your website for SEO optimization.

Favicon’s original purpose was to appear whenever you bookmark something and help you find it faster since the human brain tends to process images quicker than it does with texts. Also, follow the tips as the favicon adds value in SEO optimization.

But the original plan quickly changed, and favicons serve a much wider purpose. Of course, those who have not put a lot of thought into it might disregard this sentiment completely. But the reality is quite different. If you believe that favicons are nothing more than small pictures, this article will change your mind.

Favicon Purpose SEO Value

Creating One

Before we dive into the more complicated matters, it would be worth mentioning that anyone can create a favicon, even if they have no experience with graphic design. All you are going to need is a generator.

That is correct. You can look at the guide by Oberlo.com and pick a favicon generator you believe to be the best. Of course, you can always take a different route and create everything yourself. Or even hire a professional designer if you want the best possible result.

It is also worth mentioning that most favicons are just a smaller version of a regular logo. After all, why fix something when it already works right? Reducing the size is pretty much all it takes, so if you have a logo, you might want to use it as a favicon.

Brand Recognition Favicon Purpose

In this day and age, every business cares about brand recognition more than anything else. As long as people notice them, everything is going to be fine. So, it is no surprise to see so many entrepreneurs cooperate with influencers and reach as many people as possible.

Of course, the brand itself would not be recognizable without its symbols. Favicon is one of those symbols, and it has a significant purpose and value on your website and SEO. Why?

Well, whenever people visit a website, they will notice a favicon, especially a well-designed one. Also, you see favicons next to website URLs in search engines like Google. So, all in all, they work wonders for spreading brand awareness.

Credibility Purpose Using Favicon

While this point might seem like a bit of a stretch to some, never underestimate the smarts of an average person on the internet. Even if some internet users appear not to be the brightest, they are always learning.

After browsing numerous websites, they get used to seeing a favicon pretty much all the time. So, a missing one might come as a negative surprise to them, meaning that their opinion about your website could end up in a gutter.

And it will happen with more than just a single person. As these things build up, your overall credibility rate will plummet.

Returning Visitors

Whenever someone visits your website for the first time, an unforeseen circumstance might make them exit the browser. But that person bookmarks the page, intending to return sometime soon.

The problem is, if they already have many bookmarks, it might be difficult to remember the website just by its name. On the other hand, if your favicon is memorable, it will be much easier to remember what the website was.

SEO Purpose Of Favicon

Those who have some optimization and SEO SEO knowledge understand just how difficult it is and how little details could make or break the whole campaign.

A favicon does not have direct repercussions, but looking at the bigger picture, it still holds some value. Take all the mentioned advantages, and you will realize that it leads to people spending more time on the website, bookmarking it frequently, clicking on it while using a search engine, getting it as a result, and so on. These things correlate with search engine optimization rankings.

No Time Wasting

When multiple tabs open, people switch between them, looking at the favicon even if this behavior is subconscious. And what they have in their subconsciousness, which is the favicon, in this case, will be there for a very long time.

After reading the tips in this article, you should know the value and purpose that a well-designed favicon has on the optimization and SEO of your website, even if it seems insignificant at first glance. So, if your website does not have one, you should get on it immediately and take care of this issue. The longer you wait, the worse off your website will be.

Claudio Pires

Claudio Pires is the co-founder of Visualmodo, a renowned company in web development and design. With over 15 years of experience, Claudio has honed his skills in content creation, web development support, and senior web designer. A trilingual expert fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, he brings a global perspective to his work. Beyond his professional endeavors, Claudio is an active YouTuber, sharing his insights and expertise with a broader audience. Based in Brazil, Claudio continues to push the boundaries of web design and digital content, making him a pivotal figure in the industry.