This short article does not just explain what a favicon is; it also explains the relationship between favicon and SEO and as well explaining the main importance of having a favicon.
Favicon which stands for favorites icon also called site icon. It is a small image that the web browsers display in the URL browser tabs to help users visually identify a site easily.
If you aren’t too sure of what Favicons are. It is a small 16×16 or 32 x 32-pixel icon that commonly has the first letter or logo of specific brands.
It can also represent a generic image to describe a type of business that one has. They are commonly placed in files called favicon.ico and these files are located in a website’s root directory.
For most browsers, the file generally must be in the .ico format. There are lots of free online applications where one can upload a picture of another format, and download it back in .ico format. Some mage editing software such as Photoshop or GIMP can also create .ico files.
Relationship Between Favicon and SEO
Most articles and online write-ups believe that Favicon has no direct effect on SEO.
Remember that SEO definition includes good branding, which favicon is a part of good branding.
Favicon is very necessary for branding a business. The more a business is branded, the better it becomes.
When people are searching the web and visit one website, that favicon which is often seen and if memorable, will be of benefit to you.
Although, the favicon will not change how Google and other search engines see your site. But much more important than the search engines are the people that use them.
Importance of Favicon
Favicon, in general, is used to build trust, and credibility and create brand recognition, and most especially, it believes in playing an indirect role in SEO.
Favicon increases the usability of a website. Having a favicon next to your site title on the browser tabs, on bookmarks, and on history archives, helps a user save time, and identify and browse your website without any difficulties.
Having a site icon gives you a higher advantage over websites that do not have a favicon when it comes to saving and keeping a website bookmark on the web browser.
RELATED ARTICLES
I was not using Favicon until now but by your recommendations, I will be starting using it.