Google has revised its favicon guidelines for websites appearing in search results, introducing specific size and aspect ratio requirements to ensure better visual representation across different platforms.

New Technical Requirements

• Aspect Ratio: All favicons must maintain a perfect 1:1 square ratio
• Minimum Size: 8x8 pixels is now the absolute minimum size
• Recommended Size: 48x48 pixels or larger for optimal display across various surfaces
• Format Flexibility: All valid favicon formats remain supported

Key Guidelines for Implementation

1. Domain-Level Rules:

   • One favicon per hostname
   • Separate favicons allowed for different subdomains
   • Subdirectory-level favicons not supported

2. Technical Accessibility:

   • Must be crawlable by Googlebot-Image
   • Home page must be accessible to Googlebot
   • Favicon URL should remain stable

3. Content Standards:

   • Must represent website brand appropriately
   • Inappropriate content will be replaced with default icon
   • No adult content or hate symbols permitted

These updated requirements aim to improve visual consistency and brand recognition in Google Search results, while maintaining technical standards for optimal display across different devices and platforms.