What is Site Icon and How to Change Site Icon on WordPress?

A site icon (also known as a favicon) is a small image that appears in the browser tab, bookmarks, and other places where your site’s identity needs to be visible. It helps in branding your website and making it more recognizable.

How to Change the Site Icon in WordPress

Here’s a step-by-step guide to changing the site icon on your WordPress website:

Step 1: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard

1. Open your web browser and go to your WordPress login page, usually found at http://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin.
2. Enter your username and password to log in to the WordPress Dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Customizer

1. In the WordPress Dashboard, look at the left-hand sidebar.
2. Click on “Appearance” to expand the menu.
3. Select “Customize” from the dropdown menu. This will open the WordPress Customizer.

Step 3: Access the Site Identity Section

1. In the Customizer, you will see several options on the left side. Click on the “Site Identity” section.
2. This section contains settings for your site title, tagline, and site icon.

Step 4: Change the Site Icon

1. In the “Site Identity” section, you will see a field labeled “Site Icon.”
2. Click on the “Select Site Icon” button.

Step 5: Upload or Select a New Site Icon

1. Upload: If you have a new site icon image on your computer, click the “Upload Files” tab, then click the “Select Files” button. Choose the image file from your computer and upload it.
2. Select from Media Library: If you have previously uploaded images in your media library, click the “Media Library” tab, browse your library, and select the image you want to use as your site icon.

Step 6: Crop the Image (If Needed)

1. After selecting or uploading the image, you may be prompted to crop it. Adjust the cropping area as needed and click the “Crop Image” button.
   • If you do not need to crop the image, click the “Skip Cropping” button.

Step 7: Publish the Changes

1. Once you have selected and cropped your site icon, you will see a preview of it in the Customizer.
2. To save and apply the changes, click the “Publish” button at the top of the Customizer.

Step 8: Verify the Site Icon

1. Visit your website to check the new site icon and ensure it appears correctly in the browser tab and other locations.
2. Refresh the page if needed to see the updated site icon.

Additional Tips

• Image Dimensions: The recommended size for a site icon is 512×512 pixels. This ensures it displays clearly on various devices and resolutions.
• Image Format: Use a square image in PNG format for the best results. Ensure the background is transparent if you want a transparent icon.
• Browser Caching: Sometimes, changes to the site icon might not appear immediately due to browser caching. Clearing your browser cache or opening the site in an incognito window can help you see the changes.

By following these steps, you can easily change the site icon for your WordPress website, enhancing its branding and visual identity.