Google has confirmed reports that it is testing the use of favicons in search results for select users.

A favicon is a small logo-like image that appears on the left-hand side of a URL in a web browser. The MarketingVOX favicon, for example, is a circled exclamation point:

Google recently rebranded its own favicon.

At present, favicons in search results will only appear when a user conducts a "site: command search." The feature is not available to all users.

The change, if unrolled nationwide, will yield favicons a potentially high number of free impressions resulting from search. It will also add color and variety to Google's search results, which have statistically benefited from "blending": the process of incorporating different media, including images, company reviews, maps and videos, into standard text results.

In its forums, Google also solicited other ideas users may have to improve the search experience.

Image credit: Brian Ussery.