Introduction

When ever you type in a website in an SEO search engine or have your site up and check the address bar, you’ll find a small image to the right of the URL. This little image, referred to as a favicon or site icon, is central to your website’s marketing and usability. However, many people do not know that replacing this image is not something Yoast SEO does. Don’t worry! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to change the image next to your URL using Yoast SEO settings, different methods, and some tricks for improving the image for social networks.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be familiar with the correct procedure of getting that tiny but important image to display your brand properly and improve the appearance of your website on the internet.

Understanding the Favicon and Its Importance in SEO

What is a favicon SEO?

A favicon is a small graphic file linked to the website SEO; the visitor sees it in the tab, the bookmarks list, or the search engine results page. As much as everyone will think that it is only easier said than done, it really helps a lot when it comes to making changes with regards to SEO for your website and branding. It assists users to easily distinguish between your site and others that may be opened at a given time.

For example, imagine you have several tabs open in your browser. The favicon is the first thing that helps you visually identify which tab is yours, even without reading the SEO title. This visual element makes your site appear professional and trustworthy.

How Does a Favicon Impact SEO?

While a favicon isn’t directly linked to ranking algorithms, it contributes to SEO image settings and overall user experience. When users can easily identify your site through its favicon, it increases the likelihood of revisits and engagement, leading to higher click-through rates (CTR). A well-chosen favicon can also enhance your SEO metadata settings, ensuring a more polished online presence.

Methods to Change Your Favicon Next to URL

Overview of Methods

There are three main ways to change the favicon on your WordPress site:

1. Using a plugin (easiest method)
2. Manually editing your theme (intermediate method)
3. Using your theme’s built-in options (simplest, but not always available)

So let’s look at each method more closely and decide which one suits best.

Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easiest Method)

Why Use a Plugin?

Therefore, using a plugin is by far the simplest and least experienced way of changing your favicon. If you have never dealt with WordPress SEO image configuration before or simply don’t want to get into code, this is your way to go. Developers can easily use plugins like Real Favicon Generator to design and install a favicon that is compatible with all gadgets and browsers.

Popular Plugins for Changing Your Favicon

• Real Favicon Generator: This tool creates all the necessary favicon files, ensuring compatibility with multiple devices and browsers. It even generates the appropriate code to add to your site.
• Favicon by RealFaviconGenerator Plugin: This plugin works on its own in that it automatically incorporates the Real Favicon Generator with the WP admin.

Steps to Change Your Favicon Using a Plugin

1. Install the Plugin
   From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for “Real Favicon Generator,” and click Install. After installation, click Activate.
2. Upload Your Image
   Once activated, the plugin will give you an option to upload your custom image thumbnail (usually a square image, ideally 512×512 pixels).
3. Generate the favicon plugin will generate the necessary code for your favicon and automatically add it to your WordPress site’s theme.
4. Save and Activate
   Ideally, the new favicon should be visible on your site after making the changes listed above have been saved.

This way, you’ll be sure your favicon is going to be crisp on the desktop and on every tablet or mobile device you’re targeting, and you don’t have to bother with tweaking the code.

Method 2: Manually Editing Your Theme (Intermediate Method)

Why Choose Manual Editing?

For those who do not mind using code, or if it concerns the position and purpose of the favicon, the best option you have is to do it manually in the theme. It provides you an opportunity to make a favicon as suitable for your brand as it is possible.

Steps for Manual Favicon Installation

1. Create Your Favicon Image
   You’ll need a square image (512x512px) saved as either a .ico or .png file. Use a favicon generator, like Real Favicon Generator, to create the necessary file sizes.
2. Upload the Favicon to Your Theme’s DirectoryYou can use an FTP client to transfer your favicon to the image directory of your installed WordPress theme (usually it is in the directory /wp-content/themes/your-theme-name/images).
3. Save and Test
   Save the changes to your header.php file and test your favicon by visiting your site in a browser.

Important Tip

Always back up your theme files before editing to avoid issues that could break your website’s design.

Method 3: Using Your Theme’s Options (Simplest, but Not Always Available)

When to Use Theme Options

Modern WordPress topics provide the option to upload the favicon straight from the subject’s setup section. If your theme has this feature, then it is one of the easiest methods of adding a featured image. Though, not not all the themes is feature,, hence one should check first before applying it.

Steps to Change Your Favicon via Theme Options

1. Access Theme Customizer
   Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Locate the Favicon Option
   Look for a section called “Site Identity” or “Site Icon” (the name may vary by theme).
3. Upload Your Favicon
   Click the option to upload your favicon image. It should be square and preferably of dimensions 512 x 512 pixels, in either PNG or ICO formats.
4. Publish the ChangesOnce uploaded, click Publish to save your settings and activate your new favicon.

Choosing the Right Favicon Image

Best Practices for Favicon Design

• Size: Make sure your favicon is at least 512×512 pixels for the best clarity, especially on high-resolution screens.
• Format: While .ico is the traditional format for favicons, PNG works just as well and often provides better transparency.
• Simplicity: Since favicons are displayed in small sizes, opt for a simple design that’s recognizable even at a tiny scale. Your logo or a simplified version of it usually works best.
• Branding: For your favicon, it should reflect your website in terms of the branding. With the logo as a template, carry forward the same colors and imagery to make pointed reminders of what the brand is.

Testing Your Changes

How to Test Your New Favicon

Make sure you delete your cache after changing your favicon and open your site to see the changes. Favicons also can take a few minutes before changes are seen across browsers and devicess, so one should have some patience.

What to Do If Your Favicon Isn’t Showing

Sometimes, your favicon may not show up immediately due to caching issues. In such cases:

• Clear your browser cache and reload the page.
• Check the favicon on different browsers and devices.
• If your favicon still isn’t visible after several hours, try re-uploading it or double-checking the code in the header.php file.

Conclusion

Another subtle feature you can edit about your site’s appearance is the image used beside your website URL. Whether you use a plugin, edit your theme manually, or take advantage of your theme’s built-in options, updating your favicon is straightforward and provides long-term benefits in terms of user experience and SEO optimization.

Remember, a clean, well-designed favicon is not only crucial for SEO image preview in URL but also for social media optimization. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to confidently change the favicon for your WordPress site, ensuring it looks professional and is optimized for all users across different platforms.