Why does my BIMI DNS record return an unexpected string instead of the correct value?

An unexpected string returned by a BIMI DNS record typically indicates a misconfiguration or an issue with one of its many prerequisites. The most common reasons include incorrect formatting of the BIMI TXT record itself-such as missing or malformed tags (v=, l=, a=), typos, extra characters, or case sensitivity in tags. Problems also arise if the record is published at the wrong hostname or with an incorrect selector. Beyond the record's direct content, issues with the associated Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) or the accessibility and format of the logo file can prevent proper parsing. Furthermore, foundational elements like a strong DMARC policy (p=quarantine or p=reject) and correctly configured DNSSEC are prerequisites; their absence or misconfiguration can indirectly cause BIMI lookup failures. Other contributing factors include DNS propagation delays, caching, conflicting DNS records like wildcards or CNAMEs, and even hidden characters or encoding issues from copy-pasting the record value.

An unexpected string appearing for a BIMI DNS record consistently points to a deeper configuration issue, often stemming from even minor inaccuracies within the TXT record itself. This could involve incorrect syntax, such as malformed or missing tags, subtle typos like extra spaces, or using incorrect casing (e.g., V= instead of v=). The problem might also arise from incorrect selector usage or improper placement of the record within the domain's _bimi subdomain. Beyond the record's direct content, crucial prerequisites like a strong DMARC policy-specifically p=quarantine or p=reject-and a valid Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) are essential, and their absence or misconfiguration can prevent proper BIMI resolution. Similarly, the logo file must be correctly formatted, typically as SVG-Tiny PS, and remain publicly accessible. Furthermore, external factors within the DNS environment, including conflicting wildcard TXT records or CNAMEs, the introduction of invisible characters during copy-pasting, or even propagation delays, can contribute to the garbled output, leading verification tools to report an unexpected value.

When a BIMI DNS record returns an unexpected string, it consistently points to a precise setup or content error. The most frequent culprits include publishing the record with an incorrect name, such as missing 'default.' or '_bimi', or failing to set it as a TXT record. Furthermore, the content itself is highly sensitive to accuracy, meaning any typos, extra characters, or deviations from the exact format like 'v=BIMI1;l=yourlogo.svg;a=yourbrandcertificate.pem;' can lead to misinterpretation. Issues with the specified image URL, such as it being broken or pointing to an incorrect location, also commonly cause these validation failures. Therefore, meticulous attention to every detail of the record's name, type, and content, as well as the accessibility of its linked assets, is paramount.

An unexpected string appearing for a BIMI DNS record often signals fundamental misconfigurations or data integrity issues during lookup. This typically stems from the record not adhering to specified syntax-such as missing required tags like v=, l=, and a=, or subtle typos and malformations within the record's content. Other primary causes include the record being published at an incorrect hostname (e.g., missing 'default.' or the correct selector) or not being designated as the proper TXT record type. Furthermore, external DNS factors like propagation delays and caching can lead to outdated or incorrect values being returned. Even seemingly minor issues, such as non-standard ASCII characters or incorrect quoting, can cause parsing difficulties within various email environments, contributing to the unexpected string output.