Why is a DMARC enforcement policy required for BIMI?

BIMI requires a DMARC enforcement policy (p=quarantine or p=reject) because it relies on strong email authentication to ensure the brand logo displayed is legitimate. This policy guarantees that unauthorized emails are handled, building trust and verifying the sender's identity.

Can I use 'p=none' for BIMI?

No, a p=none DMARC policy is not sufficient for BIMI. BIMI specifically requires an enforcement policy, meaning your DMARC record must be set to either p=quarantine or p=reject .

What is the difference between 'p=quarantine' and 'p=reject' for BIMI?

'p=quarantine' instructs receiving servers to treat unauthenticated emails as suspicious, often moving them to spam. 'p=reject' tells servers to block these emails entirely. Both satisfy BIMI, but 'p=reject' offers stronger protection and is often preferred for maximum security and brand trust.

How do I safely implement a DMARC enforcement policy for BIMI?

To safely implement an enforcement policy, start with p=none , monitor your DMARC reports to ensure legitimate emails pass authentication, then gradually transition to p=quarantine , and finally to p=reject once confident in your email stream's compliance. Tools like Suped can greatly assist with this process.

Does BIMI require DMARC enforcement policy 'p=reject' or 'p=quarantine'? - BIMI - Email authentication - Knowledge base

Many organizations are exploring Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) to display their logo next to their emails in the recipient's inbox. It is a powerful way to enhance brand recognition and trust. However, a common question arises regarding the DMARC enforcement policy required for BIMI to work effectively.

The short answer is yes, BIMI does require a DMARC enforcement policy of either 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject'. A 'p=none' policy, which is typically used for initial DMARC monitoring and data gathering, will not suffice for BIMI implementation.

Understanding DMARC policies for BIMI

BIMI's core purpose is to visually verify the sender's brand, which directly relies on the strongest possible email authentication. This is why a DMARC enforcement policy is mandatory. Without it, the receiving email servers cannot be certain that unauthorized emails failing DMARC checks will be handled appropriately.

Both p=quarantine and p=reject policies signal to recipient mail servers that you are taking action against unauthenticated emails. A 'p=quarantine' policy instructs the receiving server to treat failed emails as suspicious, often placing them in the spam folder. Conversely, a 'p=reject' policy tells the server to outright block and not deliver emails that fail DMARC authentication. For more details, you can consult the BIMI Group's FAQs for Senders and ESPs.

BIMI DMARC policy requirement

To be eligible for BIMI, your domain's DMARC record must have an enforcement policy. This means the p tag in your DMARC record must be set to either p=quarantine or p=reject. A p=none policy is insufficient for BIMI adoption.

The path to DMARC enforcement

Before moving to an enforcement policy, it is crucial to ensure all legitimate email sources are properly authenticated with SPF and DKIM. Starting with a 'p=none' DMARC policy and monitoring your DMARC reports is the recommended first step. Tools like Suped provide AI-Powered Recommendations to help you identify and fix authentication issues efficiently.

Once you are confident that all your legitimate email traffic is passing DMARC, you can begin to safely transition your DMARC policy to 'p=quarantine'. This step allows you to observe how recipient mail servers handle emails that fail DMARC without immediately blocking them. It's a critical intermediate step for minimizing potential deliverability issues.

P=quarantine

Emails failing DMARC are sent to the recipient's spam or junk folder. This is a softer enforcement that allows for observation and minimizes the risk of blocking legitimate emails.

Reduced risk: Lower chance of accidentally blocking valid emails during the DMARC rollout.
Monitoring: Allows for continued analysis of DMARC reports to identify and resolve issues.
BIMI eligibility: Meets the minimum DMARC policy requirement for BIMI.

P=reject

Emails failing DMARC are blocked entirely and not delivered to the recipient's inbox or spam folder. This is the strongest form of enforcement, offering maximum protection against spoofing.

Maximum security: Prevents all unauthorized emails from reaching inboxes.
Enhanced brand trust: Stronger signal to mailbox providers and BIMI implementers.
Anti-spoofing: Best defense against phishing and email impersonation attacks.

Implementing p=reject and its benefits

While 'p=quarantine' satisfies the minimum requirement for BIMI, moving to 'p=reject' offers the highest level of protection and is often preferred by email providers. This policy fully blocks all unauthenticated emails purporting to be from your domain, dramatically reducing the threat of phishing and spoofing. You can read more about how to implement p=reject safely.

The benefits of a 'p=reject' policy extend beyond simply meeting BIMI requirements. It actively protects your brand reputation and customers from malicious emails. Implementing this policy demonstrates a strong commitment to email security, which can positively influence your domain's sending reputation and deliverability. DMARCEye.com highlights BIMI as the next step to email security after DMARC.

Example DMARC record with p=rejectdns

v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc_reports@yourdomain.com; ruf=mailto:forensic_reports@yourdomain.com; fo=1;

Moving to 'p=reject' should only be done after meticulous DMARC monitoring and verification that all legitimate email streams are compliant. Our platform offers Real-Time Alerts to notify you of any authentication failures, helping you maintain a secure and compliant email ecosystem. This continuous oversight is crucial for a smooth and effective DMARC implementation.

Key considerations for BIMI readiness

Beyond the DMARC enforcement policy, BIMI has other requirements, such as obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) and ensuring your logo is in a specific SVG format. It is also essential to ensure that your DMARC alignment is strict for both SPF and DKIM. You can learn more about BIMI's strict DMARC alignment requirements.

A robust DMARC configuration with a 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' policy is the foundation for successful BIMI adoption. This not only enables your brand logo to display in supported inboxes but also significantly enhances your overall email security posture, protecting against email fraud and improving trust with your recipients.

Verify all senders: Ensure all legitimate email sending sources are authorized by SPF and DKIM.
Monitor DMARC reports: Regularly analyze reports to identify and fix authentication issues.
Gradual enforcement: Transition from p=none to p=quarantine, then to p=reject for safe implementation.
Maintain SPF and DKIM: Ensure ongoing alignment and proper configuration of these records.

Achieving brand visibility with BIMI and DMARC

The requirement for a DMARC enforcement policy, whether 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject', is a critical step for any organization aiming to leverage BIMI. It underlines the importance of robust email authentication as a foundation for brand visibility and trust in the digital landscape. Implementing DMARC with an enforcement policy not only paves the way for BIMI but also provides essential protection against email-based threats.

For organizations looking to implement or strengthen their DMARC policy in preparation for BIMI, ongoing DMARC monitoring is invaluable. Suped offers a Unified Platform for DMARC, SPF, and DKIM monitoring, alongside blocklist and deliverability insights, making it an excellent tool for managing your email security posture and ensuring a smooth journey towards BIMI.