Set Favicon

Task Library

Upload a proper branded favicon so the site stops showing a default icon in browser tabs, bookmarks, and search results.

Category: Digital Plumbing

Use this when the browser tab shows the default WordPress, host, or theme icon instead of the brand – a small but visible "nobody finished this site" signal.

Inputs

  • Brand mark, logo, or (for personal brands) the canonical headshot – a real asset, not stock
  • Square source image at 512×512 px or larger
  • WordPress admin access

Steps

  1. Prepare a square 512×512 image of the brand mark. Crop tight – favicons render at 16-32 px, so a wordmark or busy logo becomes noise; use the simplest distinctive element.
  2. In WordPress, set it under Appearance → Customize → Site Identity → Site Icon (or the theme/SEO plugin's site icon setting). WordPress generates the required sizes.
  3. Hard-refresh and confirm the icon shows in the browser tab on desktop. Favicons cache aggressively – test in a private window if the old icon lingers.
  4. Check a phone browser tab and the bookmark/home-screen rendering.
  5. Confirm no plugin or hard-coded link rel="icon" in the theme header is overriding the new icon with an old file.
  6. Note: Google can show the favicon next to mobile search results – one more reason it must be the brand, not the host's default.

Definition of done (QA checklist)

  • Favicon displays in the browser tab on desktop and mobile (fresh/private session tested)
  • Icon is the brand's own mark – not a WordPress, theme, or hosting default, not stock
  • Legible at tab size (16-32 px)
  • No conflicting icon declarations left in the theme header
  • Linked back to the definitive article and relevant siblings
  • Complies with Blog Posting Guidelines (if it publishes content)

Example(s)

  • Example needed – run the Meta-Article Prompt after first real run.

File in the zip: skills/digital-plumbing/set-favicon.md. Download the Task Library zip.

Index: Task Library. Article guidelines.

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