Does Pardot support BIMI and how can I configure it?

7Marketer opinions 4Expert opinions 4Technical articles 6Resources

Summary

Pardot's support for BIMI centers around achieving DMARC compliance through proper email authentication configuration. While Pardot itself doesn't need direct BIMI support, it must send authenticated and aligned emails. Key steps include setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Manual configuration and Salesforce Support may be needed for customization, such as updating the return-path domain. A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) may also be required for logo verification. While some platforms offer BIMI selectors for multiple logos, their use is limited. Overall, achieving BIMI with Pardot involves ensuring robust email authentication practices and potentially acquiring a VMC.

Key findings

Authentication is Key: BIMI relies on DMARC, which in turn depends on SPF and DKIM. Pardot's ability to send authenticated and aligned email is crucial.
Pardot Functionality: Pardot supports custom domains, DKIM signatures, and custom tracker domains, all helpful for BIMI configuration.
VMC Requirement: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) may be necessary, as some mailbox providers require it to validate logo ownership.
BIMI Selectors Rare: While some platforms offer BIMI selectors for multiple logos, their use is not widespread.

Key considerations

Implement DMARC: Enforce a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' for your sending domain.
Configure DKIM/SPF: Properly set up SPF and DKIM within Pardot and update your DNS records accordingly.
Consider a VMC: Determine if the mailbox providers you target require a VMC and obtain one if necessary.
Manual Customization: Be prepared to manually configure Pardot and potentially contact Salesforce Support for advanced customization.

What email marketers say
7Marketer opinions

Pardot's compatibility with BIMI hinges on proper email authentication and domain configuration. While Pardot doesn't require direct BIMI support, it must send authenticated and aligned emails to achieve a DMARC pass. Configuration involves setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and potentially obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for logo verification. Some platforms allow the use of BIMI selectors, which is a consideration if you want to use multiple logos. DNS configuration, separate from the email service provider, is crucial for DMARC enforcement and BIMI implementation.

Key opinions

BIMI Requirement: BIMI requires DMARC to be set up and enforced, necessitating separate DNS configuration.
Authentication: Pardot needs to send authenticated and aligned email (DKIM and SPF) to achieve a DMARC pass, enabling BIMI.
Pardot Support: Pardot supports custom domains and DKIM signatures, which are key components for BIMI compliance.
Selectors: Some platforms support BIMI selectors for multiple logos, although usage is currently limited.

Key considerations

DNS Configuration: Properly configure DNS records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to ensure email authentication.
VMC: Consider obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for logo verification, as required by some mailbox providers.
Alignment: Ensure your email configuration achieves DMARC alignment, allowing BIMI to function correctly.
BIMI Selectors: If planning to use multiple logos, investigate if your platform supports BIMI selectors.

Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Slack shares that Pardot supports custom domains in the return path and DKIM signature, which is typically all that is needed to fulfil the requirements needed for BIMI

August 2021 - EmailGeeks Slack

Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass responds that BIMI requires a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate), which proves ownership of your logo, and that Pardot can be configured to meet the DMARC requirements needed for BIMI.

September 2023 - Gmass

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the only other concept of BIMI support when it comes to email tools/sending platforms is whether the platform allows the use of BIMI selectors for domain owners wishing to use multiple logos, although actual use of selectors to date has been pretty non-existent.

May 2021 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester shares that Pardot can work with BIMI. You need to ensure your domain is properly authenticated with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Then, you create a BIMI record in your DNS settings pointing to your logo's location. Keep in mind that you may also need a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).

June 2021 - EmailToolTester

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit User shares that BIMI requires DMARC to be set up and enforced, which requires DNS configuration that is separate from the email service provider.

July 2022 - Reddit

Marketer view

Email marketer from ZeroBounce shares that with Pardot, ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured and enforced. After authenticating, obtain a VMC for your logo and publish the BIMI record in DNS.

September 2024 - ZeroBounce

Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Slack shares that Pardot doesn't need to support BIMI directly; it needs to send authenticated and aligned email to create a DMARC pass to a participating provider.

May 2021 - EmailGeeks Slack

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts agree that Pardot supports BIMI through proper configuration, leveraging its support for custom domains, DKIM signatures, and domain authentication alignment. Implementing BIMI involves configuring authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC), managing DNS records, and possibly obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for the logo. Manual configuration adjustments, including updating the return-path domain setting via Salesforce Support, may be necessary for full customization.

Key opinions

Domain Alignment: BIMI works with any environment supporting domain authentication alignment.
Pardot Support: Pardot's custom domains and DKIM signatures are sufficient for BIMI.
Manual Configuration: Pardot can be configured manually for BIMI using DKIM and DMARC.
Salesforce Support: Salesforce Support can customize the return-path domain for BIMI.

Key considerations

Authentication: Carefully configure authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
DNS Records: Manage DNS records accurately, including adding a BIMI record.
VMC: Consider obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for your logo.
Customization: Be prepared to request manual return-path domain updates from Salesforce Support for full customization.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that it was easy to manually configure things to make Pardot work with BIMI using DKIM and DMARC. Also, Salesforce Support can manually update the return-path domain setting for a Pardot account to fully customize it to the client’s need.

October 2024 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that Pardot supports custom domains in the return path and DKIM signature, which is typically all that is needed for BIMI.

December 2024 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that BIMI should work with any email environment that supports domain authentication alignment.

May 2021 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains BIMI implementation is possible with marketing automation platforms like Pardot, it necessitates careful configuration of authentication protocols, DNS records, and potentially Verified Mark Certificates. The configuration steps involve setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and adding a BIMI DNS record which may require a VMC for the logo.

January 2025 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Documentation indicates that Pardot utilizes custom tracker domains for branding and authentication, but explicit BIMI support isn't directly mentioned. For BIMI to function, the sending domain must be DMARC compliant with a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'. Setting up DKIM in Pardot, which is crucial for email authentication, involves creating a DKIM key and updating DNS records. Furthermore, a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC), validating logo ownership, is often required by mailbox providers for BIMI implementation.

Key findings

Tracker Domains: Pardot uses custom tracker domains to brand links, which can indirectly help with authentication.
DMARC Requirement: BIMI requires DMARC compliance with a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'.
DKIM Setup: Setting up DKIM in Pardot is necessary for email authentication and BIMI readiness.
VMC Necessity: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) validates logo ownership and is required by some providers.

Key considerations

DMARC Policy: Ensure your sending domain is DMARC compliant, implementing a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'.
DKIM Configuration: Properly configure DKIM within Pardot by creating a DKIM key and updating DNS records.
VMC Acquisition: Determine if your target mailbox providers require a VMC for BIMI and obtain one accordingly.
Authentication Focus: Prioritize strong email authentication practices in Pardot to meet BIMI prerequisites.

Technical article

Documentation from Entrust explains that a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is a digital certificate that validates ownership of a logo used in BIMI, and is required by some mailbox providers.

May 2023 - Entrust

Technical article

Documentation from BIMI Group states that for BIMI to work, the sending domain must be DMARC compliant with a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'.

January 2024 - BIMI Group

Technical article

Documentation from Salesforce Help explains that setting up DKIM with Pardot involves creating a DKIM key and updating your DNS records, a necessary step for email authentication and BIMI compliance.

November 2022 - Salesforce Help

Technical article

Documentation from Salesforce Help explains that Pardot uses custom tracker domains to brand links and landing pages which can help with authentication but does not explicitly mention BIMI support.

April 2024 - Salesforce Help