Google seems to be experimenting with the inclusion of favicons in the top stories carousel found in search results. Favicons are appearing for some desktop users next to the website name, similar to their display in browser tabs.
An example of this test was observed earlier today. Twitter user Jon Henshaw shared an instance of this feature, noting its occurrence.
However, it appears that replicating the test consistently is a challenge. For many, including Henshaw after several hours, the favicons were no longer visible, suggesting it is part of a limited trial.
Google is known for continuously testing various ways to enhance search results presentation. It is always intriguing when these tests are identified in real-world searching. The decision to implement these changes broadly usually hinges on user interaction and feedback.
For instance, if results with favicons receive more clicks, it could lead to Google incorporating them more extensively. In previous instances, Google has tested including favicons in regular search result snippets, but their presence in the top stories carousel is less common.
