"Notification dots" refer to small, colored dots that appear on an app icon on your device's home screen. They are a way of showing you that you have unread notifications or new activity within that app. Full definition
New notification dots on apps icons offer a colorful reminder to check out updates. (techradar.com)
It'll become easier to keep track of multiple notifications from the same app, thanks to the new notification channels and notification dots features. (androidcentral.com)
App notification dots show when there's something new in an app, with a long - press pulling up a preview. (slashgear.com)