20 logos you’d recognize anywhere

Everybody knows the Nike swoosh. Whether it’s on clothing, a shoe, a commercial, or the uniform of an elite athlete, the world knows it’s Nike. The brand has a letter logo, too, but the swoosh is so easily recognizable that there’s hardly a reason to use it. 

A stop sign is the only thing easier to spot on the road than the Golden Arches. McDonald’s went through quite a few logo iterations in the first decades of business, but it settled on the version we know and love today and never looked back. Some brands just don’t need to be rebranded. 

Apple electronics have a unique look, but even if they didn’t, they’d be a breeze to spot because of the company’s iconic logo. Like many logos, Apple’s fruit has undergone multiple changes, but it’s almost always kept its shape and bite, ensuring brand recognition across the globe. 

You might not be able to afford anything from Chanel, but you recognize its logo. The double Cs are synonymous with luxury beauty, bags, jewelry, and clothing. People are so desperate for this logo that it’s been used illegally for decades. 

If there’s any sports logo as easy to spot as Nike’s, it’s the logo for Adidas. The German brand has made its three stripes into a worldwide phenomenon. Singers, athletes, fashion designers, and more have vied to be in the same conversation as the logo for decades. 

If you’ve been with Instagram since the beginning, you’ve been with it through all its logo changes. But after its major shift in 2016, the logo has remained mostly the same, becoming a very iconic piece of branding. 

As long as there are music streaming companies, there will be arguments about the best. However, what can’t be argued is the major impact Spotify has had on the world. Whether you use the platform, you can recognize its logo. 

Pepsi’s logo hasn’t always looked exactly the same, but its changes have been subtle enough that the logo is still recognizable. The soda company is a good example of how to change a logo while retaining brand recognition. 

Playboy might not have the same cultural relevance that it once did, but it still has brand recognition, and that will likely never change. Hugh Hefner was many things, and one of them was a savvy marketer. He made sure that everyone living in America knew about his beloved bunny. 

Starbucks has one of those logos you think you know every detail of but actually don’t. If you were to look at side-by-side comparisons of a correct and incorrect Starbucks logo, there’s a good chance you’d choose the incorrect one. Nevertheless, it’s a very recognizable image. 

Who knew that smashing two different colored circles together would turn into such an iconic logo? Perhaps its recognition is because it’s a logo for a financial institution. No matter, Mastercard's logo is a global piece of branding. 

The concept for Target’s logo was a no-brainer. It was right there in the name of the store. But the branding team could’ve gone sideways with the logo, and they didn’t. They created a simple, clean logo that’s made its way into every suburban home across the United States. 

There are millions of apps available for download, but only a few stand out among the rest. Snapchat is one of those few, and part of its recognition comes from its logo. Everyone with a cell phone knows what that ghost against a yellow background signifies. 

Not many sports teams can say that their logo is popular among people who’ve never even watched a game, but the New York Yankees can. Its NY logo is among the most famous imagery in the city, which is a huge feat considering all the iconography. 

Television networks don’t have the same cachet they once did, but NBC has enough history on its side to still be relevant. It also has an iconic logo that’s become even more prominent in the streaming era thanks to Peacock. 

The most popular social media platform in the world, Facebook has emerged as a multibillion dollar company. Like most companies in its echelon, it has recognizable features. The Facebook logo is tapped multiple times a day on billions of devices. 

Many car logos are easy to spot, but there’s something unmistakable about Mercedes-Benz. It’s the ultimate logo of luxury, and it looks so good on a vehicle. 

Your most prominent association with the Motorola logo might be the Razr, but it doesn’t take an ultra-thin cell phone to recognize the brand. That M is a work of art, and whether you’re seeing it on a piece of technology or an advertisement on the street, you know what it stands for. 

No one can accuse Netflix of having poor branding. Not only does it have an uber-popular logo, but it’s also got a sonic logo. When you see the Netflix "N" out of context, you can also hear the Tudum sound. 

Shell is another company that didn’t have to work too hard at deciding on a logo thanks to its name, but the logo is still very well done. Thanks to that logo, you can spot a gas station from a mile away.