It's one of those things that shouldn't really matter, but it does. Google changed their favicon, a 16 pixel by 16 pixel image that appears in various places on your browser (tabs, url field, bookmarks), and I just don't like it.
It makes me uncomfortable. As I look across my browser tabs, I see a face I don't recognize and it is distracting. My brain is having a really hard time equating a lowercase "g" with Google.
Much to my surprise, I'm not the only nitpicky one who noticed and disliked the new icon. In fact, many over at Mashable started to question the deeper meaning of the "rebranding":
"When I first saw the new favi in my tab bar I had to double check that I was actually on Google's homepage. The color is wrong, and putting it in lowercase is total sacrilege. It would be like if Yahoo! removed the exclamation point from their logo, and changed the font to comic sans." The Count Rob
"The old favicon did portray strength. When I saw this new one, the first thing that just popped into my head was stepping down." Deepa
"Google is not a small g. This is not a small change. This is a brand statement- without a clear rationale = mistake." Brian Carter
"I've been staring at the new favicon for some time now, wondering whether or not I'm on a phished site. Honestly, this favicon has nothing in common with Google." Lance
So much fuss over such a small space of the computer screen. Luckily, Google has stated that this is by no means the final icon and is challenging users to submit your Google favicon idea.
Marta Strickland
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digital culture
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Strategists & Planners
Comments (7)
Soooooo agree. Hate it. Disconnected from the brand.
Posted by darryl ohrt | June 9, 2008 7:03 PM
Posted on June 9, 2008 19:03
Totally agree. It's weak. Soft. The interwebs are no longer the same.
Posted by Frank | June 10, 2008 2:45 AM
Posted on June 10, 2008 02:45
At least they could have maintained the blue of the original. But really... purple? I don't understand this move at all.
Posted by Jonathan | June 10, 2008 9:11 AM
Posted on June 10, 2008 09:11
Ok this is funny. I'm so glad I'm not the only one . I thought for a second that Google had added a favicon when none previously existed.
Knowing now that there actually was a favicon (and the fact that I ALWAYS notice it now) indicates that there is a very real cognitive disconnect here.
It's the same thing with web redesigns. For some reason (I can't put my finger on it) this icon just isn't working at all.
Glad I'm not alone/crazy.
Posted by PSmith | June 10, 2008 10:45 AM
Posted on June 10, 2008 10:45
At first glance, I see the infinty symbol (vertically-oriented). Interestingly when you think about it, infinity (symbolically represented with ∞) comes from the Latin infinitas or "unboundedness". Perhaps Google are using this new icon to communicate several distinct concepts (e.g. search, innovativeness) linked to the notion "without end" -which perfectly describes the Web and the prolferation of information and knowledge through searchable networks.
It could also mean they are in fact 'evil' and are hell-bent on completely taking over the Web.
Posted by Darryl Jonckheere | June 13, 2008 10:32 AM
Posted on June 13, 2008 10:32
At first glance, I see the infinty symbol (vertically-oriented). Interestingly when you think about it, infinity (symbolically represented with ∞) comes from the Latin infinitas or "unboundedness". Perhaps Google are using this new icon to communicate several distinct concepts (e.g. search, innovativeness) linked to the notion "without end" -which perfectly describes the Web and the proliferation of information and knowledge through searchable networks.
It could also mean they are in fact 'evil' and are hell-bent on completely taking over the Web.
Posted by Darryl Jonckheere | June 13, 2008 10:32 AM
Posted on June 13, 2008 10:32
OMG. I am so glad you posted this. I noticed this for the first time yesterday and it bothered me too. It is disconnected from the brand in so many ways. I didn't even realize until your posting that they had officially changed their favicon.
Posted by michele j | June 13, 2008 5:55 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 17:55