How can I display a logo in Yahoo Mail without DMARC/BIMI records set?

Key findings

• Legacy database: Yahoo Mail uses a historical database to display some logos, explaining why a logo might appear without DMARC or BIMI in place.
• BIMI is necessary: For active management and consistent display of your brand logo in the inbox, Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) is the standard and recommended approach.
• DMARC prerequisite: BIMI implementation is contingent on having a DMARC policy (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) set to an enforcement level, such as 'quarantine' or 'reject'.
• Self-asserted BIMI: Yahoo (and some other providers) may accept a self-asserted BIMI record, meaning a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is not always required for initial logo display.

Key considerations

• Transitioning: Relying on a legacy database is not a sustainable strategy. Moving to BIMI ensures future compatibility and brand control.
• DMARC enforcement: Establishing a DMARC policy with an enforcement setting is the foundational step for BIMI.
• Domain and subdomain coverage: DMARC enforcement needs to be applied consistently across your parent domain and any subdomains used for sending email, to ensure proper alignment and authentication.
• SVG image formatting: Your logo must be in a properly formatted SVG Tiny 1.2 file to be recognized by BIMI.

Key opinions

• Unexpected display: Marketers observe that Yahoo sometimes displays a logo even without DMARC or BIMI being set, prompting curiosity about the underlying mechanism.
• Desire for control: The ability to update or change the displayed logo is a key concern for brand consistency.
• BIMI as the future: There's a general understanding that BIMI is the definitive way forward for brand logo display in inboxes.
• DMARC as a hurdle: Setting up and enforcing DMARC, especially across complex domain structures, is often identified as a significant challenge that delays BIMI adoption.

Key considerations

• Updating logos: Without BIMI, marketers lack a direct mechanism to update a logo, relying instead on Yahoo's internal processes.
• DMARC implementation complexity: Migrating automated emails and ensuring DMARC enforcement on all relevant domains (parent and subdomains) can be a large-scale project.
• Strategic shift: The need for DMARC and BIMI often serves as a catalyst for marketers to streamline their email sending infrastructure and authentication.
• Prioritizing authentication: Marketers acknowledge that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is foundational for advanced features like BIMI.

Key opinions

• Legacy database confirmed: Experts affirm that Yahoo indeed has a legacy logo database, which can explain logo display without explicit DMARC/BIMI.
• BIMI is the only forward path: For new or updated logos, BIMI is the singular, current method Yahoo expects senders to use.
• No VMC/CMC needed for Yahoo: Yahoo is unique in that it does not strictly require a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) or Certificate Mark Certificate (CMC) for BIMI logo adoption.
• BIMI requirements: To get Yahoo to utilize a BIMI logo, senders must publish a DMARC record with a 'quarantine' or 'reject' policy, link to a proper SVG image, maintain a good reputation, and send sufficient mail volume.
• DMARC enforcement scope: DMARC enforcement, crucial for BIMI, needs to be established on both the parent domain and any subdomains.

Key considerations

• Policy strength: A DMARC policy of p=none is insufficient for BIMI adoption; enforcement is key.
• Reputation and volume: While authentication is technical, maintaining a positive sender reputation and consistent sending volume are practical requirements for logo display.
• Comprehensive DMARC: Organizations must plan for full DMARC implementation across their entire sending infrastructure, including subdomains, to ensure BIMI compatibility.
• SVG accuracy: The SVG image must be precisely formatted according to BIMI standards for it to be recognized and displayed correctly. Troubleshooting a BIMI logo not displaying often involves checking the SVG file.

Key findings

• DMARC dependency: Documentation consistently states that BIMI requires DMARC authentication set with a policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'.
• Self-asserted BIMI acceptance: Some mailbox providers, including Yahoo, support a self-asserted BIMI record, allowing logo display without a VMC.
• BIMI record necessity: For logos to be displayed via BIMI, a BIMI record must be published in your DNS, referencing a properly formatted SVG image.
• Policy strength matters: A DMARC policy set to p=none will prevent BIMI logos from being displayed by certain email providers.

Key considerations

• Adherence to standards: To ensure broad BIMI support, follow the technical specifications for BIMI DNS records and SVG image formats.
• Gradual DMARC enforcement: Transitioning your DMARC policy from p=none to p=quarantine or p=reject should be done carefully to avoid deliverability issues.
• Mailbox provider specifics: While BIMI provides a standard, individual mailbox providers may have slight variations or additional requirements, such as minimum sending volume.
• Comprehensive authentication: Ensuring proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment is the cornerstone for BIMI success and overall email deliverability.