Formal Request for Browser Based Notification Buttons in the Tab Chrome

1999: The favicon was first introduced in IE5.

Early 2000s: Other browsers adopted the favicon and expanded support to PNG file types.

2006: (The) Facebook introduces a red notification counter badge to increase engagement.

~2007: GMail and other apps begin putting notification counts in the page title.

2014: The favicon became standardized in the HTML5 spec.

2025: I formally request major browser makers to create a dedicated button for notifications to appear on the tab chrome for a more consistent, elegant and accessible experience. Clicking the button directs you to a notifications page or can expand as a drop down to show all recent notifications.

<link rel="notification" value="3" href="/notifications" />

or

<link rel="notification" value="3" >
<notification text="You have a new friend request" href="/freindReqests" />
<notification text="You have a new message" href="/messages" />
</link>

I know you've got a lot going on right now - with AI, walled-gardens and everything else that's been disrupting the traditional world of websites.

So, no rush. I mean, it took 15 years just to standardize the favicon. But, when you get a second to come up for air, I think it would be a nice little addition.





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