An avatar is a photo, picture or any small graphic image that can be used to "recognize" and identify the user.

Аватар - що це

Why do you need an avatar?

An avatar on the Internet is needed so that communication is personalized. No one wants to communicate simply with a gray picture, behind which it is not clear who stands. If a person uses the same avatar on different platforms, the picture is firmly integrated with his image, helps to recognize the user even after a long absence or change of name, surname, nickname.

Human memory is arranged in such a way that a picture is remembered more easily than a nickname, especially a complex one. Using an avatar on the Internet, it is easier to find a person for relatives, friends, colleagues, classmates - anyone who might be interested in him. It is also easier for customers to find and identify a company when it sees a familiar and understandable avatar.

Another advantage of using an avatar is that if you put a photo on it, all network users will see that it is not a bot, but a living person who is communicating with them.

Avatar on the Internet: examples

Avatars are most actively used on communication-oriented sites. They make it easier to navigate and find the right person, brand, or company. Let's consider where exactly they are used.

  • First of all, these are social networks with their millions of users. Even a cartoon character on an avatar is better than no picture at all.
  • Forum users also have avatars, where the audience also comes to communicate and discuss pressing issues and wants to see their interlocutor.
  • It is hard to imagine without avatars and messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsApp. In messengers, users can upload individual images.
  • Blogs where articles by different authors are published also usually have their avatars, so that readers can see that a living person is behind the writing of the material.
  • Users of Microsoft Windows products, people who have Google and Yandex accounts can also set famous avatars.
  • Remote work services like Trello also allow you to upload a photo and get an avatar. Very convenient for work communications.
  • Many online stores also have the option to upload an avatar after registration to avoid impersonal communication and create a more trusting environment.
  • Gamers, groups of entertainment content and ordinary users can put any drawing or picture on the avatar: a frog, a kitten, a bouquet of flowers, a photo of Brad Pitt or a character from a horror movie - complete freedom of choice.

Business avatars: examples and recommendations

When it comes to business, an avatar on the Internet acquires fundamental importance, and its choice should be treated responsibly. It is optimal for experts, freelancers, bloggers and people who promote their business with the help of a personal brand to put their photo in a business style on the avatar - it will create an appropriate impression on users. It is important that the photo is a portrait. A full-length photo and even a waist photo on a small avatar will get lost and won't help create an idea of ​​what you look like.

For business accounts, you can use a well-known brand logo, a large written short name or a photo of the main product. It is important to avoid a large number of small details that will not be legible and carry a semantic load, but will visually complicate the perception of the avatar on the Internet.

Avatar formats and sizes on the Internet

Most sites that use avatars allow you to upload files in several formats - jpg, jpeg and png are standard. Depending on the site, there may be size or weight requirements for the photos you upload. Some sites automatically compress photos to the desired size or offer a crop function. In this case, the user has the opportunity to choose which part of the photo will be displayed.

An avatar can be not only a static image, but also an animated image in GIF format. When it comes to business, you can make an animated avatar from several of your photos. For example, with the help of the simple and free service "Gifius". The service will create a simple animation by changing frames - this will help stand out against the background of static avatars. And it will help to remember you or your company better.

Design restrictions

Restrictions can be local - for example, not every site allows you to install animated avatars. But there are generally accepted limitations. Here's what you can't post:

  1. Drug promotion.
  2. Nazi and other symbols of organizations prohibited by law.
  3. Obscenities - checkmate and insults.
  4. Threatening inscriptions, appeals provoking inter-ethnic or inter-confessional enmity.
  5. Direct commercial advertising is not welcome in avatars.