Do I need to have a favicon on my site? How do I get rid of the errors I see in my apache log?

Question

I keep seeing favicon warnings in my apache log. How do I get rid of those? Do I have to have a favicon for my site?

Answer 1

Looking at your logs, you will probably see such 404 errors:

• favicon.ico: Internet Explorer, Chrome...
• apple-touch-icon.png: iOS devices, Android, maybe some other devices
• apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png: iOS devices, Android, maybe some other devices
• apple-touch-icon-76x76.png: iOS, maybe some other devices
• apple-touch-icon-120x120.png: iOS, maybe some other devices
• apple-touch-icon-152x152.png: iOS, maybe some other devices

If you absolutely don't want to add a favicon to your site, you can apply one the the solution described in the other answers:

• mod_rewrite
• Force 404
• Empty picture

However, favicon are so common nowadays that you probably want to add one to your site. This favicon generator creates all these files at once. Full disclosure: I am the creator of this site.