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Summary

Microsoft Outlook and Office 365, unlike many other major email clients, do not currently support BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) for displaying brand logos directly in the inbox. While Microsoft has explored various proprietary methods for brand identification in the past, such as Bing Pages and Brand Cards, these initiatives have either been discontinued or remain in limited, non-standardized forms. This means that email senders cannot rely on BIMI to display their verified logos consistently across Outlook environments.

What email marketers say

Email marketers widely acknowledge that Microsoft Outlook currently does not support BIMI. Many express frustration over Microsoft's continued preference for proprietary solutions over industry standards, hindering a unified approach to brand logo display. Past attempts by Microsoft to enable brand logos, such as Bing Pages and Brand Cards, are recognized as either discontinued or limited in scope, reinforcing the need for alternative branding strategies for Outlook users.

Marketer view

A marketer from Email Geeks suggests that the Peakinbox “hack” was a good idea for displaying logos in Outlook, expressing regret that it seems to have been discontinued. This highlights the ongoing search for workarounds for Microsoft's lack of BIMI support.

11 Feb 2022 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

An email marketer from AWeber mentions that email products like Exchange Online and Outlook do not support BIMI for displaying logos, which is a key limitation for brands seeking consistent visibility.

10 Jan 2024 - AWeber Blog

What the experts say

Email deliverability experts consistently highlight Microsoft's historical tendency to develop its own email authentication and branding solutions rather than adopting widespread industry standards. This includes their past support for Sender ID over SPF, and Actionable Messages instead of AMP for Email. This independent approach extends to BIMI, where Outlook and Office 365 do not currently support the standard, making it a unique challenge for senders aiming for universal brand consistency.

Expert view

Expert steve589 from Email Geeks expresses doubt that BIMI is currently in Outlook, suggesting it's more likely related to Microsoft's own proprietary methods for displaying logos.

11 Feb 2022 - Email Geeks

Expert view

An expert from Office 365 for IT Pros blog notes that Outlook desktop and Outlook mobile do not yet support the display of brand cards (Microsoft's former approach), but Brand cards for Microsoft and Fitbit were displayed by OWA, indicating partial and inconsistent past support.

06 Dec 2018 - Office 365 for IT Pros

What the documentation says

Official documentation from Microsoft and the BIMI Group consistently indicate that Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 do not currently support BIMI. Instead, Microsoft has focused on its own unique features, such as Actionable Messages, which serve different purposes than BIMI's visual brand verification. This highlights a divergence in strategy regarding email branding and user trust signals between Microsoft and the broader email industry.

Technical article

The BIMI Group documentation (BIMI Support by Mailbox Provider Infographic) clearly states that Microsoft Outlook currently does not support BIMI for brand logo display, indicating a significant gap in universal adoption.

10 Jan 2024 - BIMI Group

Technical article

Microsoft's documentation on Actionable Messages explains their proprietary approach to enabling interactive experiences within Outlook, which serves as an alternative to external standards like AMP for Email and distinct from BIMI for branding.

11 Feb 2022 - docs.microsoft.com

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