Glossary · Internet & Web

Favicon

A favicon is the small icon representing a website in browser tabs, bookmarks and search results, usually declared with a link tag or a favicon.ico file.

Updated October 6, 2026

A favicon is a small image that identifies a website in browser tabs, bookmark lists, history and some search results. It is typically referenced by a link rel="icon" tag or served at /favicon.ico.

Why it matters

A favicon helps visitors find your tab among many and adds polish and trust. Browsers request it automatically, so a missing file produces repeated 404 errors in your logs, and search engines may show a generic icon beside your results.

Check the result by opening the icon URL directly in a browser and, after changes, testing in a private window since the old icon may linger in the regular cache for a long time.

Example

<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32">
<link rel="icon" href="/icon.svg" type="image/svg+xml">
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">

Common mistakes

  • Providing only one tiny size, so icons look blurry on high-resolution screens.
  • Blocking the favicon URL in robots.txt, which can stop search engines from using it.
  • Changing the icon and not seeing it update because browsers cache favicons heavily.

Get notified when this term updates

Plus occasional practical tips on uptime and monitoring, nothing else. Unsubscribe anytime.

Keep reading

Guide · Web Basicsrobots.txt and XML Sitemap Guide: Syntax, Limits and MistakesWrite a correct robots.txt, understand Allow and Disallow precedence, noindex versus disallow, and build XML sitemaps within the 50,000 URL and 50 MB limits.8 min readGuide · E-commerceShopify Redirects and URL Structure: Fixes, Limits and Best PracticesHow Shopify URLs are structured and how to create and bulk-import URL redirects, handle changed handles and deleted products, and avoid chains and 404s.7 min readGlossary · Internet & Web404 Page (Not Found Page)A 404 page is what a server shows when a requested URL does not exist, and it should return the HTTP 404 status code along with helpful navigation.Glossary · Internet & WebHTML (HyperText Markup Language)HTML is the standard markup language that defines the structure and content of web pages using elements such as headings, links, images and forms.Glossary · Internet & WebHTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)HTTP is the request-and-response protocol browsers and servers use to exchange web pages, files and API data, with methods, headers and status codes.Guide · Downtime & ErrorsAadhaar / UIDAI Portal Not Working: Checks and Safe WorkaroundsWhat to check when the UIDAI website, myAadhaar login or Aadhaar OTP fails, how to separate a portal problem from your own, and how to avoid scams.7 min read

This page is general information written by our editorial team and updated when documentation changes. Servers and providers differ, so test changes safely first. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.