With UI's design growing, media icons cannot be left out, especially for social media icons. Some of the most popular social media platforms have distinctive icons that are easily recognizable. Placing the icons on your website gives a clear message to the audience about the icon’s function.
Why Place Social Media Icons on Your Website?
Social media has connected people for the last decade. When the audience sees social media buttons and icons on your website, they know your business is easy to reach. They can follow what you do in the future without having to visit your website and check.
Providing the details of your social media handles or linking them directly to your business profile is important. Since internet users fully recognize the icons, you don’t need to provide explanations or tags on the icons.
However, you need to follow some guidelines when using specific social media icons. Here are some key points:
Facebook Icon
You can download the Facebook “F” icon from Facebook’s resources page. Display it in its original dimension and color. To match the theme, a black-and-white version of the icon is also acceptable. However, avoid decorating the Facebook icon with other design elements to keep it recognizable.
Instagram Icon
Instagram provides its official icon on the Instagram Brand Resource Center. If you use the icon on a website, ensure it is not smaller than 29 x 29 pixels. Instagram allows changing the multicolor icon to a solid color matching your page’s theme.
If you need to use the Instagram icon on a print larger than 8.5 inches x 11 inches, you may need to request permission.
YouTube Icon
You may want to direct your visitors to a YouTube channel you run. While YouTube provides an approved icon on its platform, there are rules to follow.
Place it proportionally regarding its size. The height of the icon should not be less than 24 pixels in digital content. There are two versions of the logo: full-color and black-and-white. Choose one and avoid altering the dimension, typeface, shape, or any visual decoration. Lastly, ensure the icon links only to YouTube content.
Pinterest Icon
Pinterest requests that its logo remain in its original color without alterations. If you use a call to action, avoid using the word “Pin” as a verb. You can use phrases like “Find us on Pinterest,” “Visit us,” and “Get inspired on Pinterest.”
WhatsApp Icon
WhatsApp provides its approved logo on the WhatsApp Brand Resources page. One guideline is to use the green and white logo of WhatsApp. If not possible, the black-and-white logo is acceptable. For the iOS version, always use the green square logo of WhatsApp.
Guidelines for Media Icons Use
Social media icons are free to use, especially when you provide a link to the platform as an extension to your website content. Through social media, visitors to the website may convert into followers and customers. To make better use of the icons, here are some quick tips:
- Place them strategically. Ensure the media icons are visible to your website visitors.
- Use proportional dimension and size. Some social media platforms require a minimum pixel size for their icons. Keep the icon visible and recognizable.
- Do not look for the logo from other sources. Platforms usually provide resources. Retrieve the logo from their platform before making any modifications.
With these guidelines, you will see that each social media platform has specific rules before you can place the icon commercially. Checking their resources page helps you understand what you can do with their icons and how to place them without any issues in the future.
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