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Summary

Implementing BIMI for email verification in Gmail and Yahoo involves establishing email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for your registered trademark logo, and creating a BIMI DNS TXT record. The VMC proves logo ownership and helps fight phishing. The BIMI record, starting with 'v=BIMI1;', points to the SVG logo and VMC. A logo must be in SVG format and hosted securely. Benefits include increased brand visibility, improved deliverability, and enhanced brand trust. However, VMC acquisition can be costly, and some mailbox providers may require it. While implementing BIMI is straightforward, the configuration of SPF, DKIM, DMARC and DNS records requires technical expertise. BIMI is supported by both Gmail and Yahoo.

Key findings

  • Authentication is Key: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are mandatory prerequisites.
  • VMC is Essential: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is needed for logo verification and BIMI implementation.
  • DNS TXT Record: Publishing a properly formatted BIMI DNS TXT record is crucial.
  • Logo Requirements: The logo must be a registered trademark in SVG format and hosted on a secure server.
  • Benefits of BIMI: BIMI increases brand visibility, improves email deliverability, and enhances brand trust.
  • Yahoo and Gmail Support: Both Yahoo and Gmail support BIMI.

Key considerations

  • VMC Costs: Acquiring a VMC can be a significant expense.
  • Technical Expertise: Proper configuration of email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and DNS records requires technical knowledge.
  • Phishing Prevention: BIMI and VMCs aid in preventing phishing attacks.
  • Mobile vs Desktop: BIMI rollout may vary between mobile and desktop email clients.

What email marketers say

15 marketer opinions

Implementing BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) involves several key steps to display a brand logo in email clients like Gmail and Yahoo. First, ensure robust email authentication is in place using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Next, obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for the brand's registered trademark logo. The logo must be in SVG format and hosted on a secure HTTPS server. Finally, create and publish a BIMI DNS TXT record pointing to the SVG logo file and VMC location (if required by the email receiver). BIMI enhances brand visibility, improves email deliverability, increases brand trust, and helps prevent phishing. While implementation is technically straightforward, costs can arise from obtaining the VMC and managing email authentication protocols. It's also important to note that BIMI support and rollout may vary among email providers and devices.

Key opinions

  • Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential prerequisites for BIMI implementation.
  • VMC: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is required to prove ownership of the logo.
  • Logo Format: The logo must be in SVG format, a registered trademark, and hosted on HTTPS.
  • DNS Record: A BIMI DNS TXT record must be published to point to the logo and VMC.
  • Benefits: BIMI increases brand visibility, improves deliverability, and enhances brand trust.
  • Email Clients: BIMI support and rollout may vary among email providers and devices. Check with your email provider for more details.

Key considerations

  • Cost: Obtaining a VMC can be expensive.
  • Complexity: Managing email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and DNS records requires technical expertise.
  • Phishing: A VMC proves ownership of a logo and is a key tool to prevent phishing.
  • Yahoo Support: Yahoo mail supports BIMI and correctly implemented brand logos will appear in the inbox.

Marketer view

Email marketer from EasyDMARC.com explains that the logo used in BIMI must be in SVG format (Scalable Vector Graphics), must be a registered trademark, and hosted on a secure (HTTPS) server.

5 Jan 2023 - EasyDMARC.com

Marketer view

Email marketer from Proofpoint.com answers that configuring BIMI involves setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, then obtaining a VMC and creating a BIMI record that points to the location of the VMC and logo.

10 Jan 2022 - Proofpoint.com

What the experts say

5 expert opinions

Implementing BIMI allows organizations to display their logo in supporting email clients like Gmail and Yahoo, enhancing brand visibility and trust while combating phishing. The process involves several key steps: first, ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured for email authentication. Second, obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to prove logo ownership. Finally, publish a BIMI DNS record. Acquiring a VMC can be costly, but BIMI helps build trust and stand out in inboxes.

Key opinions

  • Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are mandatory for BIMI implementation.
  • VMC Requirement: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is required to verify logo ownership.
  • BIMI's Function: BIMI displays your logo in supporting email clients if properly configured.
  • Phishing Protection: BIMI helps fight phishing and increases trust with consumers.
  • Email Client Support: Yahoo and Gmail support BIMI.

Key considerations

  • Cost: Acquiring a VMC can be costly.
  • Configuration: Proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and the BIMI DNS record is crucial.

Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource answers BIMI allows you to display a logo in supporting email clients, if the recipient’s email provider supports BIMI and you’ve properly configured everything. They also point out that Yahoo and Gmail support BIMI.

22 Jan 2025 - Spam Resource

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that BIMI aims to fight phishing, increase trust with consumers and help businesses stand out in crowded inboxes. All senders must authenticate email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and then to prove ownership of a logo, a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) must be obtained from an authorized provider.

23 Feb 2025 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says

5 technical articles

Implementing BIMI requires several steps to display a brand logo in email clients like Gmail. First, ensure strong email authentication using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with a DMARC policy set to 'quarantine' or 'reject'. Next, the organization needs a registered trademark logo and a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to prove ownership of the logo. A BIMI DNS TXT record must then be created and published, starting with 'v=BIMI1;' and including the location of the SVG logo file and the VMC (if required by the mailbox provider).

Key findings

  • Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with a 'quarantine' or 'reject' policy are mandatory.
  • VMC: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is needed to prove logo ownership.
  • BIMI Record Format: The BIMI record is a TXT record starting with 'v=BIMI1;' and including the SVG logo and VMC location.
  • Registered Trademark: Logo must be a registered trademark.

Key considerations

  • VMC Requirement: Some mailbox providers may require a VMC.
  • Record Location: Ensure the SVG logo is hosted securely and the URL is correctly specified in the BIMI record.

Technical article

Documentation from Fastly.com specifies that BIMI records should be stored as DNS TXT records. The format for the TXT record should include the BIMI version, the location of the SVG logo file and the location of the VMC, if the email receiver requires one.

30 Sep 2023 - Fastly.com

Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Updates Blog explains that to display a brand logo in Gmail, senders must authenticate their emails with SPF or DKIM, publish a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject', and have a Brand Indicator for Message Identification (BIMI) record registered with a Certification Authority.

5 Mar 2022 - Google Workspace Updates Blog

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