Double the Favicon: How to Display Two Favicons in Your Chrome Extension
Ever wanted to show a custom icon alongside the original website favicon in your Chrome extension? It's possible, and it can add a touch of personality and branding to your extension.
The Problem: Chrome extensions have their own icons, but they often overshadow the website's favicon. This can be confusing for users who might not realize the extension is responsible for the new icon.
The Solution: We can leverage the power of manifest.json to display both the original favicon and our custom extension icon.
Scenario: Let's Build a "Favicon Duo" Extension
Imagine you're creating a Chrome extension that enhances user browsing experience on a specific website. You want to subtly remind users your extension is active by showing your own icon alongside the original website's favicon.
Original Code (manifest.json):
{
"manifest_version": 3,
"name": "My Awesome Extension",
"version": "1.0",
"description": "Enhances the browsing experience on your favorite website.",
"icons": {
"16": "icons/icon-16.png",
"48": "icons/icon-48.png",
"128": "icons/icon-128.png"
},
...
}
This code will display your extension icon, but it will replace the website's original favicon. To achieve the "double favicon" effect, we'll need to tweak the manifest.json.
The Power of "browser_action"
Instead of relying solely on the "icons" section, we'll use the "browser_action" field:
{
"manifest_version": 3,
"name": "My Awesome Extension",
"version": "1.0",
"description": "Enhances the browsing experience on your favorite website.",
"browser_action": {
"default_icon": {
"16": "icons/icon-16.png",
"48": "icons/icon-48.png",
"128": "icons/icon-128.png"
},
"default_popup": "popup.html"
},
...
}
By defining a "browser_action" and its "default_icon" property, we tell Chrome to display the icons in the "browser_action" section alongside the website's favicon.
Important Considerations
- Icon Size: Ensure your icons are available in various sizes (e.g., 16x16, 48x48, 128x128) to accommodate different screen resolutions.
- Design Harmony: Choose icons that complement the website's favicon to create a visually cohesive experience.
- Context: Think about the user experience. Displaying two favicons might be distracting in some cases, so consider its impact on your extension's functionality.
Further Exploration
Want to take it further? You can explore more advanced techniques:
- Dynamic Icon Change: Update the extension icon based on the user's activity or website content.
- Custom Popup: Design a popup to display additional information or control options related to the extension.
By understanding how to leverage the "browser_action" field in your manifest.json, you can add a unique touch to your Chrome extension and enhance the user experience in a subtle yet impactful way.
