Summary
Gmail Annotations and BIMI are separate features. Annotations, which enhance the visual appeal of emails in Gmail's Promotions tab, are implemented using schema markup within the email's HTML and do not require BIMI. AMP emails, allowing for interactive content, require registration with Google, adherence to their guidelines (including providing valid SPF/DKIM records), and passing an approval process. BIMI, used for displaying brand logos in supported email clients, requires DMARC setup, a verified trademark, and a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate). AMP emails must also meet specific HTML markup standards and be validated.
Key findings
- Annotations & BIMI: Gmail Annotations are independent of BIMI.
- Annotation Implementation: Gmail Annotations are implemented via schema markup in the email's HTML.
- AMP Registration: Sending AMP emails requires registration with Google.
- BIMI Requirements: BIMI requires DMARC setup, a verified trademark, and a VMC.
- AMP Validation: AMP emails must meet specific HTML markup standards and undergo validation.
Key considerations
- Implement Annotation Schema: To use Gmail Annotations, properly implement schema markup in your emails.
- Prepare for AMP Registration: For AMP emails, authenticate your sending domain, provide a sample AMP email, and adhere to Google's policies.
- BIMI Requirements: To implement BIMI, ensure you have a verified trademark, a VMC, and properly configured DMARC.
- AMP coding standards: To use AMP emails effectively requires sticking to the tight coding standards and file sizes
- AMP email security: Consider the security aspects of implementing AMP, which is a reason the providers require registration
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
BIMI is not required for Gmail Annotations, which use schema markup in the email HTML to enhance visual appearance in the Promotions tab. However, sending AMP emails requires registration with Google, adherence to Google's guidelines, and a review process to ensure quality and security. AMP emails also allow for interactive content but have strict size and coding limitations. BIMI, on the other hand, relies on DMARC, SPF, and DKIM authentication and requires a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to display a brand's logo in supporting email clients, enhancing brand recognition and trust.
Key opinions
- BIMI & Annotations: BIMI is not required for Gmail Annotations.
- Annotations Setup: Gmail Annotations are set up using schema markup in the email's HTML.
- AMP Registration: Sending AMP emails requires registration with Google and adherence to Google's guidelines.
- BIMI Requirements: BIMI requires DMARC, SPF, and DKIM authentication, along with a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).
- AMP Limitations: AMP emails have strict size and coding limitations.
Key considerations
- Annotation Implementation: Implementing Gmail Annotations involves adding schema.org markup to your email's HTML to enhance visual elements in the Promotions tab.
- AMP Approval Process: The AMP email approval process requires authenticating your sending domain, providing a sample AMP email, and adhering to Google's security and content policies.
- BIMI Brand Recognition: BIMI enhances brand recognition and trust by displaying your logo next to authenticated messages.
- Email Authentication: Ensure proper DMARC, SPF, and DKIM configuration for BIMI implementation.
- AMP Coding Standards: Adhere to the specific coding standards and size limitations of AMP emails to ensure compatibility and functionality across email clients.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Uplers writes that AMP emails allow interactive content directly within the email, such as forms and carousels, and requires registration with email providers like Google to ensure security and prevent abuse.
21 Oct 2023 - Email Uplers
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Gmail annotations predate BIMI and work without setup, but AMP requires setup with Google, similar to BIMI, to ensure a good user experience.
4 Aug 2021 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Gmail Annotations, used for visual enhancements in Gmail's promotions tab, are implemented with schema markup and are independent of BIMI. BIMI, on the other hand, requires DMARC setup, an email authentication protocol, and allows brands to display their logo in email clients that support the BIMI standard.
Key opinions
- BIMI & Annotations Independence: Gmail Annotations are not related to BIMI.
- Annotation Implementation: Gmail Annotations are implemented via schema markup within emails.
- BIMI Requirement: BIMI requires DMARC setup for email authentication.
- BIMI Function: BIMI enables brands to display logos in email clients that support it.
Key considerations
- Implement Schema Markup: To leverage Gmail Annotations, ensure proper implementation of schema markup in your emails.
- Set Up DMARC: To use BIMI, you need to correctly configure DMARC for your sending domain.
- Consider Logo Display: BIMI focuses on brand logo display, separate from content annotation.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Gmail Annotations are independent of BIMI and are implemented using schema markup in your emails. They enhance the appearance of your email in Gmail's promotions tab.
19 May 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource shares that BIMI requires DMARC setup, which is an email authentication protocol. It allows brands to display their logo in email clients that support the BIMI standard.
28 Dec 2024 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Google's documentation specifies that sending AMP emails requires a registration process including providing valid SPF or DKIM records, following best practices, and submitting a registration form along with a sample AMP email. Gmail Annotations are implemented using schema.org markup within the email's HTML to customize the appearance in the Promotions tab. BIMI necessitates a verified trademark and a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) for logo display and is separate from both Annotations and AMP. AMP emails also require specific HTML markup and validation to ensure proper rendering.
Key findings
- AMP Registration: Sending AMP emails requires a formal registration with Google.
- Annotation Markup: Gmail Annotations utilize schema.org markup embedded in the email's HTML.
- BIMI Requirements: BIMI requires a verified trademark and a VMC for logo display.
- AMP Validation: AMP emails need to be validated against AMP-specific HTML markup standards.
Key considerations
- Prepare for AMP Registration: Ensure you have valid SPF/DKIM records, adhere to best practices, and have a sample AMP email prepared for Google's review process.
- Implement Annotation Schema: Utilize specific schema.org properties within your email HTML to define the appearance of Gmail Annotations effectively.
- Trademark Verification for BIMI: Obtain a verified trademark and VMC to leverage BIMI for displaying your brand logo.
- Validate AMP HTML: Validate your AMP HTML code to ensure proper rendering and functionality across different email clients.
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Updates states that BIMI requires a verified trademark and a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) to display a brand's logo in supporting email clients. This is separate from Gmail Annotations or AMP.
2 Aug 2024 - Google Workspace Updates
Technical article
Documentation from the AMP Project explains that AMP emails require specific HTML markup and must be validated using the AMP validator to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for rendering in email clients.
5 Feb 2022 - AMP.dev
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