Summary
Updating or changing a Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) logo for email clients like Yahoo Mail involves more than just swapping out an image file. It requires adherence to specific technical standards, proper domain authentication, and sometimes direct communication with the mailbox provider. This guide provides a summary of the process, focusing on the technical specifications for BIMI logos and Yahoo's particular considerations.
Key findings
- Logo update process: For true BIMI, changing your logo primarily involves replacing the SVG file on your web server and ensuring its URL in your BIMI DNS record is correct.
- Yahoo's caching: Yahoo Mail typically takes one to two days to reflect changes to a BIMI logo once the updated SVG file is in place.
- DMARC requirement: BIMI functionality is contingent upon your domain having a DMARC policy at an enforcement level (p=quarantine or p=reject).
- Legacy logos: If a logo appears in Yahoo Mail without an enforced DMARC policy, it is likely a legacy image internally sourced by Yahoo, not a BIMI logo. You may need to ask Yahoo to stop using their image and start using yours once BIMI is properly set up.
- Recommended size: While BIMI logos are scalable vector graphics (SVG), a common recommendation for optimal display is 400x400 pixels for the SVG canvas.
- SVG format: The SVG file must be a true vector graphic, not a raster image (like PNG or JPEG) wrapped inside an SVG, as this can cause display problems. The BIMI Group FAQs specify the use of SVG Tiny 1.2.
Key considerations
- DMARC enforcement: Prioritize achieving a DMARC policy of p=quarantine or p=reject before expecting your BIMI logo to display.
- Image replacement: To update, replace the existing SVG file with the new version on your server, ensuring the URL in your BIMI DNS record points to the updated file. You can find more details on BIMI implementation steps here.
- Circular display: Design your logo to look appealing and recognizable when cropped into a circle, as many email clients display sender logos this way.
- True vector SVG: Confirm your SVG is a pure vector, properly formatted to the SVG Tiny 1.2 profile, to avoid rendering issues.
- Trademark and VMC: For broader adoption by email clients, ensure your logo is trademarked and linked to a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).
What email marketers say
Email marketers often face practical questions when it comes to implementing or updating BIMI, especially regarding Yahoo Mail's specific behaviors and image size recommendations. Their inquiries highlight common areas of confusion and the need for clear, actionable steps.
Key opinions
- Logo update confusion: Marketers frequently seek straightforward guidance on how to update an existing BIMI logo, particularly if an outdated version is currently displayed.
- Size specifications: There is a consistent demand for clarity on recommended image size specifications for BIMI logos to ensure optimal display.
- DMARC status: Many marketers are in the early stages of BIMI implementation, often discovering that their DMARC policy is not yet at an enforcement level, which is a prerequisite for BIMI.
- Legacy image distinction: Marketers are often unsure whether a currently displayed logo is a result of BIMI or a separate, legacy image managed by Yahoo.
Key considerations
- Verify BIMI status: Before attempting to change a logo, confirm if BIMI is truly active for your domain or if Yahoo is displaying an image via its own logic.
- DMARC policy review: Ensure your DMARC record is properly configured and set to an enforcement policy (p=quarantine or p=reject) as a prerequisite for BIMI. You can learn more about displaying sender logos in Yahoo Mail and Gmail.
- SVG best practices: Adhere to the specified SVG formatting, including true vector graphics and appropriate dimensions, to avoid display issues. More details on BIMI logo creation are available.
- Troubleshooting: Be prepared to troubleshoot if your logo doesn't display as expected, distinguishing between BIMI-related issues and Yahoo's independent logo display.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks inquired about changing an old BIMI logo version.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks asked for recommended image size specifications for BIMI logos.
What the experts say
Email deliverability experts offer critical insights into BIMI logo management, particularly highlighting the foundational role of DMARC and practical advice on SVG formatting and Yahoo's unique handling of brand images.
Key opinions
- BIMI update mechanism: Experts affirm that updating a BIMI logo primarily involves replacing the hosted SVG file and ensuring its URL is consistent. Yahoo typically reflects these changes within one to two days.
- DMARC enforcement is key: A fundamental requirement for BIMI to function is an enforced DMARC policy (p=quarantine or p=reject). Without this, any displayed logo is not BIMI-driven.
- Legacy logo identification: If a logo appears in Yahoo Mail but BIMI is not fully configured (e.g., DMARC not enforced, no BIMI policy), it is likely a legacy image or a profile Yahoo sourced internally, not a BIMI display.
- SVG format precision: While vector images are scalable, experts recommend a 400x400 pixel canvas for BIMI SVG logos and stress the importance of using a true vector, not an SVG wrapper for a raster image.
- Circular display optimization: It is important for the logo to maintain clarity and appearance when cropped to a 400-pixel-diameter circle, as this is a common display format.
- Yahoo's independent logic: Yahoo's systems may display logos based on their own internal logic, necessitating direct communication with Yahoo to switch to your BIMI-verified logo once your setup is complete.
Key considerations
- Pre-requisite DMARC: Ensure your DMARC policy is robust and enforced (p=quarantine or p=reject) before expecting your BIMI logo to appear. This is the bedrock of BIMI implementation.
- SVG authenticity: Always provide a genuine SVG file. Using a PNG within an SVG wrapper is a common pitfall that can lead to display inconsistencies or rejection. More on recommended SVG dimensions and creation is available.
- Contacting Yahoo: If a legacy image persists after successful BIMI setup, reach out to Yahoo's postmaster team to request a switch to your new BIMI-verified logo. Troubleshooting steps for BIMI logo display issues in Yahoo Mail can be found here.
- Monitoring: Regularly monitor your BIMI implementation to ensure the logo continues to display correctly and address any changes promptly, as outlined by experts from Word to the Wise.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks states that updating a BIMI logo simply involves changing the logo file and its hosted URL, and Yahoo should reflect the changes within a day or two.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks points out that a domain needs to be at DMARC enforcement, not p=none, to qualify for BIMI logo display.
What the documentation says
Official BIMI documentation and authoritative guides provide the foundational technical specifications and prerequisites necessary for successful BIMI implementation and logo display. Adhering to these standards is crucial for brand recognition and email authentication.
Key findings
- SVG Tiny 1.2 format: BIMI strictly requires logos to be in SVG Tiny 1.2 profile format, a scalable vector graphic that maintains sharpness at any display size.
- Trademark and VMC: For full adoption and trust by participating email clients, the logo must be trademarked and associated with a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) issued by an accredited Certificate Authority.
- Secure hosting: The SVG file needs to be hosted on a publicly accessible and secure web server (HTTPS).
- DMARC enforcement: The sending domain's DMARC policy must be set to an enforcement level, specifically p=quarantine or p=reject, for BIMI to activate.
- Design best practices: Recommended design practices for the logo include using a solid background, centering the logo within a perfect square, and ensuring it remains visible and clear when cropped into a circle.
- File size: The SVG file size is typically recommended to be small, generally under 32KB, to ensure efficient loading.
Key considerations
- Strict SVG compliance: Adhere rigorously to the SVG Tiny 1.2 profile, as improper formatting can prevent your logo from displaying. Guidance on validating your BIMI SVG and certificate is essential.
- VMC acquisition: If aiming for universal BIMI display, securing a VMC from an accredited certificate provider is a critical step.
- DNS record accuracy: Ensure your BIMI DNS record accurately points to the hosted SVG file and your VMC (if applicable).
- Design for versatility: Design your logo to look good in various shapes (square, circle) and sizes, acknowledging that email clients may render it differently. Additional tips are available from Email on Acid.
Technical article
BIMI Group documentation states that BIMI relies on a scalable vector format, specifically an SVG Tiny profile, to ensure crisp logo display at any resolution.
Technical article
Email on Acid documentation suggests that the BIMI logo should be presented on a solid background and accurately centered within a perfect square for optimal visual presentation.
Related resources
15 resources
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