What are the specific SVG requirements for BIMI logos?

The SVG file must adhere to the SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile. This means it needs to be purely vector, contain no rasterized images, external references, scripts, or base64 encoded data. It should have a square aspect ratio, be centered, and ideally have a solid background. The file size should be less than 32KB. Failure to meet any of these can prevent your logo from displaying.

Does my DMARC policy need to be enforced for BIMI to work with Yahoo?

Yes, for Yahoo to display your BIMI logo, your DMARC policy must be set to either 'quarantine' or 'reject'. A 'p=none' policy will not suffice as it does not enforce authentication, which is a core requirement for BIMI.

Is a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) necessary for Yahoo brand recognition via BIMI?

While a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is highly recommended for broad BIMI adoption and is required by some mailbox providers, Yahoo's primary requirements also focus on a strong sender reputation and classification of emails as commercial for logo display. However, obtaining a VMC is generally considered a best practice for full BIMI implementation.

How does Yahoo determine "brand recognition" for BIMI logo display?

Yahoo often prioritizes displaying BIMI logos for domains with established brand recognition, which is built through consistent, high-volume sending of commercial emails and maintaining a good sender reputation. Personal or one-to-one emails might not always qualify, even with a valid BIMI record.

What are the BIMI requirements for SVG files and Yahoo brand recognition? - Technical - Email deliverability - Knowledge base

As email security and deliverability standards evolve, Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) has emerged as a powerful tool for brands to display their official logos directly in email inboxes. This visual authentication not only builds trust with recipients but also enhances brand recognition.

However, implementing BIMI, especially when it comes to the technical requirements for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) files and ensuring your logo displays correctly with mailbox providers like Yahoo, can be complex. I often encounter questions about the specific criteria these SVG files must meet for successful implementation and consistent display.

Understanding BIMI and its core requirements

At its core, BIMI is an email standard that allows organizations to display their brand logo next to their authenticated email messages. This visual verification reassures recipients that the email is legitimate and comes from a trusted source, combating phishing and spoofing attempts. Before a logo can be displayed, several foundational email authentication protocols must be in place.

The prerequisites for BIMI include proper configuration of SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). For BIMI to work effectively, your DMARC policy must be set to either 'quarantine' or 'reject' for the domain sending the emails. A 'p=none' policy will not enable BIMI logo display with major mailbox providers. Achieving a policy of enforcement is a significant step in the BIMI journey.

Additionally, many BIMI implementations today require a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC). A VMC is a digital certificate that verifies the authenticity of your brand logo and confirms that your organization has the legal right to use it, typically by holding a registered trademark. While some mailbox providers might have initially accepted self-asserted BIMI records (without a VMC), the trend is towards requiring this certificate for full display, especially for broader adoption across diverse clients.

Strict SVG file requirements for BIMI

The heart of BIMI logo display lies in the SVG file, which is a vector graphic format that allows logos to scale without losing quality. However, BIMI does not accept just any SVG file. It demands adherence to a very specific profile known as SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG P/S), or sometimes simply SVG Tiny 1.2. This profile strips away many advanced SVG features to enhance security and ensure consistent rendering across various email clients and devices. Failing to meet these strict requirements is a common reason why a BIMI logo might not display.

The SVG file must be purely vector-based, meaning it cannot contain any rasterized images (like embedded PNGs or JPEGs). It also cannot include any external references, scripts, or base64 encoded data, as these elements pose security risks and can prevent the logo from rendering. For optimal display, especially with Google and Yahoo, the logo should be centered within a square aspect ratio and ideally have a solid background color to ensure visibility against various inbox themes. The file size should also be kept as small as possible, typically under 32KB, to ensure quick loading.

Key SVG requirements for BIMI

Format: Must be SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) or SVG Tiny 1.2. Ensure it's purely vector graphics, no embedded raster images.
Content: Avoid base64 data, xhref (disallowed references), and JavaScript. Animations are not supported.
Dimensions: The logo must have a square aspect ratio. While 64x64 to 256x256 pixels is a common recommendation, SVG scales. Focus on the square ratio.
Styling: Use a solid background color rather than transparency for best compatibility, and ensure the logo is centered within the SVG canvas.
Hosting: The SVG file must be hosted on a publicly accessible web server via HTTPS. The URL must be specified in your BIMI DNS record.
Size: Keep the file size under 32KB.

Yahoo's specific considerations for BIMI and brand recognition

While adhering to the SVG specifications is critical, mailbox providers like Yahoo (and Gmail) have additional considerations beyond just the technical BIMI record itself. Yahoo, in particular, places a strong emphasis on brand recognition and sender reputation when deciding whether to display a BIMI logo. This means that even if your BIMI DNS record and SVG file are perfect, your logo might not appear if your domain's sending history or mail classification isn't up to their standards.

Yahoo's policy often requires that mail be classified as commercial mail for a BIMI logo to be displayed. This means personal emails or one-to-one business correspondence might not qualify for logo display, even if sent from a BIMI-enabled domain. Conversely, marketing emails or bulk notifications are more likely to be considered for BIMI display, assuming all other criteria are met. This distinction is crucial for marketers aiming to leverage BIMI for their campaigns.

It's also worth noting that establishing strong sender reputation with Yahoo Mail (and other major mailbox providers) takes time and consistent good sending practices. While a BIMI record itself can contribute positively to brand recognition over time, it's not an instant fix for a poor reputation. Consistent, authenticated sending helps mailbox providers "recognize" your brand and increases the likelihood of your logo being displayed. If your BIMI logo isn't showing up on Yahoo, even after verifying the technical setup, consider your sending history and engagement metrics with Yahoo recipients.

Implementing and validating your BIMI SVG

Creating a compliant SVG file is a common hurdle for many organizations pursuing BIMI. Design tools can often introduce elements that are disallowed by the SVG Tiny P/S profile. For instance, embedding raster images or using complex filters and scripts, while standard in web development, can render your SVG incompatible with BIMI. It is essential to export or save your SVG specifically for this purpose, often requiring manual cleaning or optimization.

Once your SVG is ready, it needs to be hosted on a secure web server (HTTPS) and referenced in your domain's BIMI DNS TXT record. This record essentially tells mail servers where to find your logo. The syntax is straightforward, but accuracy is paramount to ensure your logo is discoverable and displayed correctly. Remember that updates to DNS records can take time to propagate across the internet.

BIMI DNS TXT Record ExampleDNS

v=BIMI1;l=https://yourdomain.com/your-logo.svg;a=https://yourdomain.com/your-vmc.pem;

Regularly validating your BIMI setup, including the SVG file, is crucial. Several online tools can help verify if your SVG meets the strict BIMI profile. These validators check for common issues like embedded raster images, disallowed elements, and incorrect formatting. If you encounter issues with your logo not displaying, performing a thorough validation of your SVG is often the first step in troubleshooting, along with checking your DMARC aggregate reports for any authentication failures. Consider reviewing the requirements for BIMI SVG files and how to validate them.

Views from the trenches

Best practices

Ensure your SVG logo strictly adheres to the SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile, removing any rasterized images, scripts, or external references.

Maintain a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' for the domain you're trying to enable BIMI on; 'p=none' is insufficient for logo display.

Host your SVG logo file securely over HTTPS on a publicly accessible web server.

Consistently send authenticated, commercial emails from your domain to build and maintain a strong sender reputation with mailbox providers like Yahoo.

Common pitfalls

Including rasterized images or base64 data within the SVG file, which makes it non-compliant and prevents logo display.

Using a DMARC policy that is not enforced ('p=none'), which will prevent BIMI logos from showing up.

Expecting immediate logo display without sufficient brand recognition or sending volume, especially with providers like Yahoo.

Failing to validate the SVG file with specialized BIMI checkers, leading to hard-to-diagnose display issues.

Expert tips

Use a graphics editor's 'Save As' or 'Export' function, specifically looking for SVG Tiny 1.2 options, and then manually review the XML for disallowed elements.

If using a VMC, ensure the logo in the SVG perfectly matches the trademarked logo verified by the VMC for seamless authentication.

Monitor your DMARC reports closely; authentication alignment issues can prevent BIMI logos from appearing even if your SVG is valid.

Remember that BIMI is a brand trust indicator. Consistent positive email engagement is as important as technical compliance for successful logo display.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says that if your SVG contains a rasterized image, it will likely trigger both rasterized image and base64 errors, and disallowed references are caused by elements like xhref. Your SVG must be a true SVG Tiny 1.2 to be accepted by Yahoo, as their requirements are very specific.

2020-05-01 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says that Yahoo also requires to recognize your brand, which necessitates a certain volume or period of regular commercial sends. While a BIMI record exists, it is likely that brand recognition will be picked up sooner than without BIMI.

2020-05-01 - Email Geeks

Enhancing your email presence with BIMI

Displaying your brand logo via BIMI is a significant step towards enhancing email trust and recognition. The journey involves not only robust email authentication through SPF, DKIM, and DMARC but also meticulous attention to your SVG logo file. Yahoo's specific criteria for brand recognition and commercial mail classification add another layer of consideration, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to email deliverability.

By understanding and diligently meeting these BIMI requirements for SVG files, and factoring in mailbox provider nuances like those from Yahoo, you can significantly improve your brand's presence in the inbox. This commitment to proper setup and ongoing monitoring pays dividends in recipient trust and engagement, solidifying your brand's legitimacy in the digital landscape. To learn more about how to get your logo to display, consider exploring other aspects like BIMI implementation requirements and provider support.