What favicons are needed in 2022? Is only vector enough?

Question

Web development

Hello. Based on this article, now enough:

• Only one vector icon for modern browsers
  
• 180x180 Apple icon that was meant for iPhones
  
• 512x512, google icon for mobile chrome
  
• Mask-icon for macOS Safari
  
• Old favicon.ico for everything else
  

The zoo is still big, but it's 2022 in the yard. The question arises - how to reduce it to the required minimum?

1. Why do we still need raster icons if there is a vector icon (especially the 512x512 elephant one)? Is there a real need for them?
   
2. The non-standard Mask-icon for Safari, according to some information, is generally outdated. Is it so?
   
3. Who needs a classic favicon.ico? (almost all users are on the latest browsers, most of which are Chromium)
   

PS Most likely, search engines need favicon.ico and other bitmaps? They can't vectorize even after two years, how did the world's most popular browser support SVG icons?

Answer 1

Use a generator and don't worry
https://realfavicongenerator.net/