> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.logo.dev/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Add a Favicon to Google Search Results

> Get your favicon to show in Google Search. Covers size requirements (48x48), valid formats, the homepage link tag, crawlability, and why favicons don't appear.

Google displays website favicons next to search results to help users identify brands. This guide covers how to set up your favicon so it appears in Google Search, the size and format requirements, and how to fix a favicon that isn't showing.

## Requirements

Before Google will display your favicon, ensure you meet these requirements:

| Requirement   | Details                                                |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Dimensions    | Square, minimum 8x8 pixels (48x48+ recommended)        |
| Format        | ICO, PNG, SVG, or any valid favicon format             |
| Aspect ratio  | Must be 1:1 (square)                                   |
| Accessibility | Googlebot must be able to crawl your favicon           |
| Content       | No inappropriate imagery (hate symbols, adult content) |

<Note>
  Google recommends a favicon **larger than 48x48 pixels** so it stays sharp across devices. There's no strict "multiple of 48" rule — any square size of at least 8x8 works, but bigger and square is better.
</Note>

## Add the favicon to your website

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your favicon file">
    Design a square image that represents your brand. Save it in a web-compatible format (PNG or ICO are most common).

    ```
    favicon.ico (32x32 or 48x48 pixels)
    ```

    For high-DPI displays, consider creating multiple sizes or using SVG format.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the link tag to your homepage">
    Add a `<link>` tag in the `<head>` section of your homepage HTML:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```html Standard favicon theme={null}
      <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico">
      ```

      ```html PNG favicon theme={null}
      <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/favicon.png">
      ```

      ```html SVG favicon theme={null}
      <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg">
      ```

      ```html Multiple sizes theme={null}
      <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon-32x32.png">
      <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/favicon-16x16.png">
      <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    Google looks at your homepage to find the favicon for your entire site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify crawlability">
    Ensure your `robots.txt` file doesn't block access to your favicon:

    ```txt robots.txt theme={null}
    # Allow favicon access
    User-agent: Googlebot
    Allow: /favicon.ico

    User-agent: Googlebot-Image
    Allow: /favicon.ico
    ```

    Both `Googlebot` and `Googlebot-Image` must be able to access your favicon file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request indexing (optional)">
    Speed up the process by requesting Google re-crawl your homepage:

    1. Go to [Google Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console)
    2. Enter your homepage URL in the URL Inspection tool
    3. Click "Request Indexing"

    Without this step, it can take several days to weeks for Google to discover your favicon.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Why your favicon isn't showing in Google Search

If your favicon isn't appearing next to your site in search results, work through these causes in order:

1. **Google hasn't re-crawled your homepage yet.** New favicons commonly take several days to a few weeks to appear. Request indexing of your homepage in [Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console) to speed this up.
2. **The link tag isn't on your homepage.** Google reads the favicon from your site's home page (the root URL), not from inner pages. Make sure the `<link rel="icon">` tag is in the `<head>` of your homepage.
3. **Googlebot can't crawl the favicon.** Check that `robots.txt` allows both `Googlebot` and `Googlebot-Image` to fetch the favicon URL, and that the file returns a `200` status.
4. **The favicon isn't square.** A non-square (non-1:1) image is rejected. Re-export at a square size such as 48x48 or 96x96.
5. **The image is too small or low quality.** Use a favicon larger than 48x48 pixels.
6. **The content violates Google's policies.** Google replaces inappropriate imagery (hate symbols, adult content) with a default icon.

<Note>
  **Site builders (WordPress, Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, Next.js):** Most platforms set the favicon in a site or theme setting rather than by hand-editing HTML. Set a square favicon there, confirm it loads at your root domain, then request indexing. The favicon must be served from your own domain and be crawlable — the requirements above are identical regardless of platform.
</Note>

## Important limitations

**One favicon per hostname**: Google supports one favicon per site hostname. Subdomains (like `blog.example.com`) can have different favicons than your main domain, but subdirectories (`example.com/blog/`) share the same favicon.

**No guarantee of display**: Even with correct implementation, Google doesn't guarantee your favicon will appear in search results.

**Processing time**: Changes can take days to weeks to appear, depending on how often Google crawls your site.

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My favicon isn't showing in Google Search">
    Common causes:

    * **Blocked by robots.txt**: Check that Googlebot can access your favicon URL
    * **Recently added**: Allow several days to weeks for Google to process
    * **Wrong location**: The link tag must be on your homepage, not just inner pages
    * **Content policy**: Google may reject inappropriate imagery
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use different favicons for different pages?">
    No. Google uses one favicon per hostname. All pages on `example.com` share the same favicon. Only different subdomains (like `app.example.com`) can have separate favicons.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the best favicon format?">
    ICO format has the widest compatibility. PNG works well for modern browsers. SVG scales perfectly but has slightly less browser support. For best coverage, provide ICO as a fallback with PNG or SVG as the primary.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does it take for changes to appear?">
    Typically several days to a few weeks. You can speed this up by requesting indexing through Google Search Console, but there's no way to force immediate updates.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is Google showing my old favicon?">
    Google caches favicons and updates them based on crawl frequency. Request re-indexing through Search Console and wait for the cache to refresh. Avoid changing your favicon frequently.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does favicon size affect SEO?">
    Favicon size doesn't directly impact SEO rankings, but a clear, recognizable favicon can improve click-through rates by helping users identify your brand in search results.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does my favicon need to be 48x48 or a multiple of 48?">
    No. Google requires a square favicon of at least 8x8 pixels and recommends one larger than 48x48 for sharpness. There is no official rule that it must be exactly 48x48 or a multiple of 48 — that's a common misconception. Any square size above 48x48 (for example, 96x96 or 144x144) works well.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Google support SVG favicons in search results?">
    Yes. Google accepts any valid favicon format, including SVG, ICO, and PNG. If your favicon isn't appearing, the format is rarely the cause — crawlability and re-crawl timing are far more common issues. For the widest compatibility, you can provide an ICO or PNG alongside your SVG.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I force Google to update my favicon?">
    You can't force an instant update, but you can prompt a re-crawl: open the [URL Inspection tool](https://search.google.com/search-console) in Search Console, enter your homepage URL, and click "Request Indexing." Keep the favicon URL stable and avoid changing it frequently, since Google caches favicons between crawls.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related resources

* [Google's official favicon documentation](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/favicon-in-search)
* [Google Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console)

<Card title="Need higher-quality logos than favicons?" href="/docs/logo-images/introduction" arrow="true" cta="Explore the Logo API">
  Favicons are low-resolution site icons. To display crisp company logos by domain, stock ticker, or name inside your own app, use the Logo.dev image API.
</Card>
