Improve the current wording under Settings -> Site Icon

[w3bdsgn]

Hello,

as @r1k0 already mentioned (ticket:65924#comment:7), the current wording under Settings -> Site Icon might cause confusion for some users.

Since the word “square” refers to the aspect ratio, but icon shapes other than square are also allowed, I suggest changing it from:

The Site Icon is what you see in browser tabs, bookmark bars, and within the WordPress mobile apps. It should be square and at least <strong>512 by 512</strong> pixels.

to

The Site Icon appears in browser tabs, bookmark bars, and within the WordPress mobile apps. It must have a square aspect ratio (1:1) and be at least <strong>512 × 512</strong> pixels in size.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this.

[w3bdsgn]

Site Icon - Old text

[w3bdsgn]

Site Icon - New text

Clarifies the Site Icon help text in Settings → General and the matching Customizer control. The wording now makes it clear that "square" refers to the aspect ratio, so rounded or circular icons are also valid.

Updated the same translatable string in both options-general.php and class-wp-customize-manager.php to keep them in sync. Placeholders are unchanged, and × is used to match Core's existing dimension format.

Trac ticket: https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/65975

## Use of AI Tools

AI assistance: No

@R1shabh-Gupta you need to update the text in identity section

Hi @dhruvang21, thanks for the feedback. I did look into the Design > Identity panel's similar Site Icon description with the old “square” wording. That text isn’t in this repo though, it comes from the ​Gutenberg project. The source is in these two files, which need to stay in sync:

• ​`packages/edit-site/src/components/sidebar-identity/index.jsx` (line 46)
• ​`routes/identity/stage.tsx` (line 91)

Both currently have the same string:

Shown in browser tabs, bookmarks, and mobile apps. It should be square and at least 512 by 512 pixels.

This PR cover the classic Settings > General and Customizer strings. Once the wording here is reviewed and confirmed, I’m happy to open a follow-up issue and PR in Gutenberg to update the Site Editor text as well, so everything stays consistent. Thanks!

[rednishat]

Hi all, from my understanding, I want to contribute a few things. The proposed wording is technically accurate, but "square aspect ratio (1:1)" may still trip up non-technical users who are not thinking in aspect ratio terms when uploading a site icon.

A simpler alternative that preserves the accuracy without the jargon:

The Site Icon appears in browser tabs, bookmark bars, and within the WordPress mobile apps. Use a square image (equal width and height) at least 512 × 512 pixels in size.

A few reasons this version works better:

"Equal width and height" communicates the constraint in plain visual terms. Users understand what that means without needing to know what aspect ratio means.

"Use a square image" is an actionable instruction, which fits better in a UI helper text context than a descriptive sentence.

Simpler source strings help translators. Since this string needs to stay in sync across options-general.php and class-wp-customize-manager.php and will be translated into dozens of languages, a plain-language source string reduces translation ambiguity significantly.

Also seconding the need for a follow-up Gutenberg issue. The Design > Identity panel in the Site Editor currently shows different wording for the same field, which creates an inconsistent experience across surfaces for the same user. That inconsistency is worth resolving at the same time.

[w3bdsgn]

@rednishat, that sounds plausible to me. I agree that my initial suggestion might indeed be a bit too technical for most WordPress users.