Google Search Favicon Requirements
Google displays a small favicon next to your site name in search results when it can crawl a valid icon. The rules are simpler than most SEO checklists suggest — but the crawl path and image constraints matter.
Google supports ICO, PNG, and SVG favicons linked via <link rel="icon"> or served from /favicon.ico. The image must be square and at least 48×48 pixels effective size.
The favicon URL must be crawlable: not blocked by robots.txt, not behind authentication, and not disallowed by noindex on the hosting page.
Google picks one icon per domain. Multiple icons are fine in HTML; Google selects what it considers representative — usually the largest declared PNG or the root favicon.ico.
Transparent backgrounds are allowed. Avoid excessive padding that shrinks the logo below readable size at 16×16.
Changes propagate after recrawl, not instantly. Use Search Console URL Inspection on your homepage to request indexing after you fix the icon.
Subdomains are treated separately. blog.example.com needs its own favicon if you want a distinct SERP icon.
If Google shows a generic globe, the crawler likely could not fetch any icon. Test with our favicon tester and fix 404s first.
How it works
- 1
Ship a 48×48+ square icon
PNG or multi-size ICO; link it in <head> or /favicon.ico.
- 2
Unblock crawlers
Allow Googlebot in robots.txt; avoid noindex on the homepage.
- 3
Validate and request indexing
Use Search Console after deploy.
Try it now
Generate a Google-ready favicon
Live Favicon TesterFAQ
Does Google require favicon.ico at the root?+
Not strictly, but /favicon.ico is the fallback Google tries. A working <link rel="icon"> is sufficient when crawlable.
What size does Google use in search results?+
Displayed around 16×16 but Google recommends source assets of at least 48×48 for quality.
Can I use a different favicon for Google than for browsers?+
No separate channel — Google uses the same crawlable icons as browsers.