Setting up DMARC for BIMI involves multiple steps and considerations. It begins with deploying SPF and DKIM, ensuring they align with the From address and cover all mail streams. Implementing DMARC in 'p=none' mode allows for monitoring and identifying missed mail streams, with subsequent SPF and DKIM deployment. Gradual escalation to stricter DMARC policies (quarantine or reject) is necessary, with correct authentication being critical. The domain must be DMARC enforced, and a Validated Mark Certificate (VMC) is essential for logo ownership. BIMI displays brand logos in supporting inboxes, enhancing visibility and trust. Monitoring DMARC reports aids in email security maintenance. A BIMI DNS record must be published. A VMC authenticates the logo, preventing spoofing. DMARC policy options include 'none' (monitoring), 'quarantine' (spam), and 'reject' (block). A valid SSL certificate is required for the logo URL. BIMI's cost is primarily the VMC. Some email programs may not yet support BIMI. Some may already have processes via MXToolbox
9 marketer opinions
Setting up DMARC for BIMI involves several key steps and considerations. Initially, your domain must have DMARC enforcement enabled to leverage BIMI, and someone within your organization may already be utilizing tools like MXToolbox to process DMARC reports. The implementation includes ensuring DMARC is correctly configured, obtaining a Validated Mark Certificate (VMC) for your logo, and publishing the BIMI DNS record. BIMI enhances brand visibility, improves email security, and increases brand trust and customer engagement. It requires a correctly configured DMARC policy (starting with 'p=none' for monitoring before stricter enforcement), a VMC to authenticate the logo, and the BIMI DNS record. BIMI encourages strong email authentication practices and ensures the displayed logo is authentic, preventing spoofing. The process includes DMARC implementation, SSL certificate enablement for your logo URL, and publishing the BIMI record in DNS. While BIMI is largely free, the VMC does incur a cost.
Marketer view
Email marketer from ZeroBounce shares that BIMI requires a Validated Mark Certificate (VMC) to ensure the logo displayed is authentic and owned by the sender. This helps prevent spoofing and increases trust.
14 Jun 2025 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailhardener talks about BIMI being largely free except for the cost of a VMC. They encourage marketers to setup DMARC first to ensure BIMI works.
28 Jul 2024 - Mailhardener
2 expert opinions
Setting up DMARC for BIMI involves deploying SPF and DKIM, ensuring they align with the From address, and deploying on all mail streams. Start with DMARC in p=none mode, monitoring feedback reports to identify missed mail streams and deploy aligned SPF and DKIM on those, repeating the process for at least three months before escalating to enforcing policies and ultimately BIMI. Also, BIMI allows displaying your brand logo in supporting inboxes, but requires strict DMARC policies (reject or quarantine) with correct authentication. Note that not all email programs support it yet.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, shares that BIMI provides a way to display your brand logo in supporting inboxes, but also emphasizes that the requirements for DMARC are quite strict (reject or quarantine) and that getting authentication correct is critical. Not all email programs support it yet.
25 Jul 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares the process for setting up DMARC for BIMI. The process includes deploying SPF and DKIM, ensuring they align with the From address, deploying on all mail streams, and deploying DMARC in p=none mode. Steve recommends monitoring feedback reports to identify missed mail streams and deploying aligned SPF and DKIM on those, repeating the process for at least three months, before escalating to enforcing policies and ultimately BIMI.
10 Jul 2023 - Email Geeks
4 technical articles
Setting up DMARC for BIMI requires the sending domain to be authenticated with DMARC at a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject', and a Validated Mark Certificate (VMC) to prove logo ownership. Initial DMARC deployment steps involve assessing mail streams, setting up SPF and DKIM, and using a 'p=none' policy for data collection before moving to stricter policies. BIMI requires a DMARC policy to be in place for proper function. DMARC policy options include 'none' for monitoring, 'quarantine' to send unauthenticated emails to spam, and 'reject' to block them.
Technical article
Documentation from BIMI Group explains that to display a BIMI logo, the sending domain must be authenticated with DMARC at a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'. A Validated Mark Certificate (VMC) is also required to prove logo ownership.
21 Jul 2023 - BIMI Group
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org explains the initial steps for DMARC deployment: assess your mail streams, set up SPF and DKIM, then set a DMARC policy of p=none to start collecting data and understanding your email ecosystem before moving to stricter policies.
25 May 2024 - DMARC.org
Do DMARC and BIMI require p=reject to be present on the organizational domain?
Do I need a VMC for BIMI to work with Google and Gmail?
Does BIMI impact email deliverability?
Does BIMI require strict alignment between From and return-path domains?
How do I implement BIMI and get my logo to show in Gmail and Yahoo Mail?
How do I implement BIMI for email verification in Gmail and Yahoo?
How do I properly set up DMARC records and reporting for email authentication?
What are the best resources for understanding and implementing DMARC and BIMI?
What are the DMARC requirements for BIMI and how does pct affect the policies?
What are the requirements for BIMI, and how do I troubleshoot authentication failures?