What is the primary XML namespace required for BIMI SVG files?

The primary XML namespace required is xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" as part of the SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile.

Are there any other XML namespaces allowed in a BIMI SVG?

Generally, the SVG file must be self-contained. While the main xmlns declaration is mandatory, additional or external XML namespaces that introduce unsupported features are not permitted and will lead to validation failures.

What happens if my BIMI SVG file has an incorrect XML namespace?

If your SVG file has an incorrect or missing XML namespace, it will not be recognized as a valid BIMI logo. Email clients that support BIMI will fail to display your brand image, essentially rendering your BIMI implementation ineffective.

How can Suped help with BIMI SVG compliance?

Suped provides a unified platform for email security and deliverability. Our DMARC monitoring and reporting tools can help you ensure your underlying authentication is strong. While Suped doesn't directly validate SVG files, ensuring your overall email ecosystem is healthy with Suped's AI-powered recommendations is crucial for BIMI success.

Does BIMI require the SVG to use a specific XML namespace? - BIMI - Email authentication - Knowledge base

Q: Can I use any SVG file for BIMI, or does it need to be a specific type?

No, you cannot use just any SVG file. BIMI requires the SVG to adhere to the SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile, which is a restricted subset of the full SVG specification for security and compatibility reasons.

Person reviewing SVG XML code for BIMI compliance

When setting up Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI), one of the crucial technical aspects is ensuring your logo's Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file meets specific requirements. This includes not only the visual design but also the underlying XML structure. A common question that arises is whether the BIMI SVG needs to adhere to a particular XML namespace.

The short answer is yes, BIMI does require a specific XML namespace. This is fundamental to defining the SVG Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile, which is a restricted subset of SVG Tiny 1.2. This particular profile ensures security and consistent rendering across various email clients and environments. Without the correct namespace declaration, your BIMI logo will likely not display.

Understanding and correctly implementing this namespace is a vital step in your BIMI journey. It's one of many technical details that contribute to a successful BIMI deployment, ultimately helping your brand logo appear in inboxes that support the standard, enhancing trust and recognition.

Understanding SVG P/S

The required SVG namespace for BIMI

The BIMI specification mandates the use of the SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) profile. This profile is not just about visual elements, but also about the underlying XML structure. Specifically, your SVG file must declare the XML namespace for SVG 1.2 Tiny. The correct declaration for this is typically xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" in the root <svg> tag.

It's important to note that while http://www.w3.org/2000/svg is the standard XML namespace for SVG, the BIMI specification specifically points to the SVG P/S profile. This profile implies certain restrictions on what SVG features are allowed, rather than a different top-level namespace URI. The SVG Tiny 1.2 specification from the BIMI Group provides more context on this.

Failing to include this exact namespace, or including incorrect or additional namespaces, can cause the SVG file to be rejected by mail clients that support BIMI. Therefore, precision in your SVG XML declaration is paramount for BIMI compliance.

Example of a compliant BIMI SVG root tagxml

<svg width="100" height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.2" baseProfile="tiny">

Ensuring SVG P/S compliance

Why the specific namespace and profile matter

The reason for such strict requirements, including the XML namespace, is primarily security and standardization. BIMI aims to provide a verifiable visual indicator of brand authenticity. To achieve this, the SVG files must be self-contained and free from elements that could pose security risks, such as scripts, external links (other than specified XML namespaces), or animations. The SVG P/S profile ensures this by limiting the allowed features.

In addition to security, using a standardized and restricted SVG profile helps guarantee consistent rendering across different email clients. An SVG that works perfectly in a web browser might fail to display in an email client if it contains unsupported features or incorrect namespace declarations. This is why tools like Suped offer detailed guidance and monitoring to help you ensure all elements of your email authentication, including BIMI, are correctly configured.

Adhering to these specifications is not just a recommendation, it's a requirement for BIMI adoption. Ignoring these details can lead to your logo not being displayed, which defeats the purpose of implementing BIMI in the first place.

Key SVG requirements for BIMI

Format: Must be an SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (SVG P/S) file.
Namespace: Root tag must declare xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg".
No external links: SVG should be self-contained, no scripts or external references besides XML namespaces.
HTTPS accessibility: The SVG file must be hosted on a publicly accessible HTTPS URL to display your BIMI logo.

The path to BIMI success

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Broken SVG file due to incorrect XML namespace for BIMI

One of the most frequent issues encountered when preparing BIMI SVG files is incorrect XML declarations. Designers or marketers might export an SVG from a graphics program without realizing that specific modifications are needed for BIMI. Standard SVG exports often include elements or namespaces that are not allowed under the SVG P/S profile, leading to validation failures.

Another pitfall is using external resources. The SVG file for BIMI must be entirely self-contained, meaning no links to external CSS, fonts, or images. The only permitted external reference is the XML namespace declaration itself. Make sure to embed all necessary graphics directly into the SVG code and ensure your SVG image dimensions are optimal.

Regularly validating your SVG file is essential. There are several online validators available, or you can use tools like Suped's DMARC monitoring platform to keep an eye on your BIMI status. A well-structured DMARC record along with a compliant SVG will pave the way for successful brand logo display.

Compliant SVG

XML Namespace: Correctly declares xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg".
Self-contained: All styling and images embedded within the SVG file.
BIMI Profile: Uses SVG Tiny 1.2 P/S profile attributes.

Non-compliant SVG

XML Namespace: Missing or incorrect xmlns declaration.
External references: Links to external CSS, scripts, or images.
Unsupported features: Contains animations or other non-SVG P/S elements.

Conclusion

Beyond the namespace: a holistic approach

While the SVG XML namespace is a critical component, successful BIMI implementation extends beyond just this one detail. It requires a robust email authentication foundation, specifically DMARC with a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'. Without strong DMARC enforcement, your BIMI record will not be honored by participating mail providers.

Monitoring your DMARC reports is key to understanding your email authentication status and identifying any issues that could impact BIMI. Platforms like Suped offer comprehensive DMARC monitoring with AI-powered recommendations that guide you through fixing authentication failures. This proactive approach ensures your emails are secure and your brand image is consistently displayed.

Achieving full BIMI deployment can seem complex due to its many technical requirements. From SVG file preparation to VMC acquisition, each step must be executed precisely. Leveraging a unified platform that brings together DMARC, SPF, and DKIM monitoring with blocklist and deliverability insights simplifies this process considerably.