Favicon from your logo: browser sizes and Google Search

Which files belong where?

For Google Search, use a supported format such as PNG or ICO: SVG is not listed in its current supported formats. A square icon must be at least 8×8 px; Google recommends more than 48×48, so 96×96 is useful, not obsolete. Link it from the homepage, keep its URL stable and allow Googlebot to fetch the homepage and Googlebot-Image to fetch the image. Meeting the guidelines does not guarantee display.

Create and publish the icon

1. Start with a recognizable mark; remove the tagline and thin detail.
2. Check the shape at 16 and 32 px, on both light and dark backgrounds.
3. Export the needed files from the vector source. Choose one favicon folder in the LogoSaga pack and preserve its manifest paths.
4. Add the links below only for files actually present on your server. The 96 px PNG is an additional Search export.

<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="16x16 32x32 48x48" />
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml" />
<link rel="icon" href="/favicon-96x96.png" type="image/png" sizes="96x96" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/apple-touch-icon.png" sizes="180x180" />
<link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest" />

An SVG can use prefers-color-scheme, but test the browsers and versions you support. A mark readable on both backgrounds is a robust fallback. Apple touch icons and manifest icons are separate files, not automatic versions of the browser SVG.

Why is it missing?

Open the image URL directly: it must return an image, not an error or login page. Check the homepage links and crawl access. For a browser issue, reload or clear the local icon cache. For Google, keep the URL stable and request homepage indexing through Search Console; processing can take days or weeks. Repeated renaming is not a Search fix.

Related practical guides: Logo testing checklist: 10 checks before you launch · Google Business Profile logo: size, upload and troubleshooting

Create a logo with a matching favicon

Frequently asked questions

What size should a favicon be?

For Google Search, use a supported format such as PNG or ICO: SVG is not listed in its current supported formats. A square icon must be at least 8×8 px; Google recommends more than 48×48, so 96×96 is useful, not obsolete. Link it from the homepage, keep its URL stable and allow Googlebot to fetch the homepage and Googlebot-Image to fetch the image. Meeting the guidelines does not guarantee display.

What format should a favicon be — SVG, PNG, or ICO?

A favicon is the small symbol representing your site. Use the logo mark rather than a tiny full wordmark. Browser tabs, Google Search and installed web apps have different requirements; test the actual destination.

Can a favicon change in dark mode?

An SVG can use prefers-color-scheme, but test the browsers and versions you support. A mark readable on both backgrounds is a robust fallback. Apple touch icons and manifest icons are separate files, not automatic versions of the browser SVG.

Why isn't my favicon showing or updating?

Open the image URL directly: it must return an image, not an error or login page. Check the homepage links and crawl access. For a browser issue, reload or clear the local icon cache. For Google, keep the URL stable and request homepage indexing through Search Console; processing can take days or weeks. Repeated renaming is not a Search fix.