When you've just rolled out BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) and notice that Yahoo Mail is still displaying an old logo instead of your newly configured one, it can be a source of frustration. This situation often arises due to Yahoo's caching mechanisms rather than a fundamental issue with your BIMI record. While Gmail tends to update relatively quickly, Yahoo Mail (and other webmail clients) can take a few days to reflect changes.Understanding how Yahoo Mail caches BIMI images is key to troubleshooting.
Key findings
Caching behavior: Yahoo Mail, like many other email service providers, caches images and other elements to improve loading times. This means changes to your BIMI logo may not appear instantaneously. The caching period can extend to a few days.
Contacting support: If the new logo doesn't appear after several days, contacting Yahoo's sender support team at mail-questions@yahooinc.com is often the most direct route to resolution.
Technical eligibility: If your BIMI record is correctly published and other clients like Gmail are displaying the logo, it suggests your setup is generally sound from a technical and trust perspective. Yahoo should eventually reflect the change automatically.
Patience is key: Most instances of an outdated logo on Yahoo Mail resolve themselves within a short period, typically within two to three days, as caches refresh.
Key considerations
Verify BIMI record: Double-check your BIMI DNS TXT record to ensure it correctly points to the new SVG logo file. Any discrepancies could prevent the update.
SVG format compliance: Ensure your SVG logo file meets all BIMI requirements for SVG files, including being publicly accessible via HTTPS and having a square aspect ratio. The Yahoo Senders BIMI page offers specific guidelines.
DMARC policy: BIMI requires a DMARC policy of enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject). Confirm your DMARC record is properly configured and actively enforced for the domain sending the emails. A simple guide to DMARC, SPF, and DKIM can assist in verification.
Cache clearing attempts: While you cannot directly force Yahoo's cache to clear, you can try sending a few emails to Yahoo addresses after the update to prompt a refresh.
What email marketers say
Email marketers frequently encounter challenges with BIMI logo display across various email clients, and Yahoo Mail is no exception. The primary concern usually revolves around the time it takes for new logos to propagate due to caching. Marketers often share experiences about the discrepancy between how quickly a logo updates in one client, like Gmail, versus another, such as Yahoo.
Key opinions
Initial observation: Marketers frequently report that after implementing BIMI, Yahoo Mail may initially show an outdated logo, even if other clients like Gmail display the correct, new logo immediately. This is a common starting point for troubleshooting.
Reliance on support: A common suggestion from the marketing community is to contact Yahoo's support email, mail-questions@yahoo-inc.com, especially if the issue persists for more than a few days.
Cache understanding: Many marketers are aware that Yahoo caches images and recognize this as the most likely reason for delayed logo updates. This understanding helps manage expectations about immediate changes.
Patience advised: The prevailing advice is to wait a couple of days before escalating the issue, as the caching process often resolves itself within that timeframe. Troubleshooting BIMI logo not displaying often starts with patience.
Key considerations
Discrepancy awareness: Marketers should be prepared for inconsistent BIMI logo display across different email clients, as each provider has its own caching and rendering policies. This is a common aspect of email deliverability.
Monitoring: It is important to monitor how your BIMI logo appears in various inboxes (including Yahoo Mail) and to be proactive in reaching out if issues persist beyond a reasonable caching period. Staying informed on BIMI updates for specific providers can be helpful.
Domain reputation: A strong domain reputation built on consistent authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is foundational for BIMI adoption, as email service providers consider trust before displaying brand logos.
Troubleshooting steps: Before contacting support, verify the SVG format, ensure the BIMI record is correctly published, and confirm DMARC enforcement. These are standard initial troubleshooting steps for any BIMI issue.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that they recently implemented BIMI, but despite this, Yahoo Mail is still displaying their previous logo instead of the updated one from the BIMI record. This observation highlights a common challenge many marketers face after a new BIMI rollout.
21 Mar 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that if the new logo isn't appearing, reaching out to Yahoo's dedicated email support is the next logical step. This direct line of communication is often recommended when standard propagation times have passed.
21 Mar 2024 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
From an expert perspective, the behavior of Yahoo Mail regarding BIMI logo updates is well understood and largely predictable. Experts often emphasize that Yahoo's systems are designed to eventually display the correct BIMI logo if all underlying technical and reputational requirements are met. The key challenge lies in the nature of web and app caches, which can have varying refresh cycles.
Key opinions
Trust and reputation: Experts confirm that if a logo is already on file and BIMI is published, eligibility from a trust/reputation standpoint is highly likely. Yahoo's systems are built to recognize valid configurations automatically.
Automated processing: Provided that all technical requirements are in place (especially if the logo appears on other platforms like Gmail), Yahoo Mail's systems will automatically do the right thing and update the logo.
Cache persistence: Web and app caches can be long-lasting, causing a delay in the visual update. Experts advise allowing a few days for these caches to refresh naturally.
Direct contact: In cases of prolonged delay, experts recommend contacting Yahoo directly via mail-questions@yahooinc.com, also pointing to the Yahoo Senders BIMI page as a first resource.
Key considerations
Verify DMARC enforcement: A strong DMARC policy at quarantine (p=quarantine) or reject (p=reject) is non-negotiable for BIMI display on Yahoo. Experts consistently highlight this as a foundational requirement. Ensure you know what all your DMARC tags mean.
SVG validation: The SVG logo file must adhere to strict BIMI specifications. Experts advise using a BIMI SVG validator to ensure compliance, as malformed SVGs are a common cause of display issues. A guide to validating your BIMI SVG can be helpful.
Reputation alignment: Yahoo's decision to display a BIMI logo is tied to the sender's overall domain reputation. Maintaining excellent deliverability practices is crucial for successful BIMI implementation.
Monitoring DMARC reports: Regularly reviewing DMARC aggregate reports, especially from Yahoo, can provide insights into BIMI status and potential issues. These reports often indicate if Yahoo is successfully fetching and validating your BIMI record.
Expert view
Email deliverability expert from Email Geeks confirms that the Yahoo Senders BIMI page is the primary resource for official information. They also suggest that contacting mail-questions@yahooinc.com is the correct email for direct inquiries, clarifying a common misspelling.
21 Mar 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Email deliverability expert from Email Geeks explains that if a logo is already on file and BIMI has been published, the sender is likely eligible from a trust and reputation standpoint. They emphasize that if the technical setup is correct (especially if Google displays it), Yahoo will automatically process it correctly.
21 Mar 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
Official documentation from BIMI Group and Yahoo Senders provides the authoritative guidelines for implementing and managing BIMI. This documentation typically outlines the technical specifications for BIMI records, SVG logo files, and the prerequisites related to email authentication, particularly DMARC. Understanding these official sources is crucial for successful BIMI adoption and troubleshooting display issues.
Key findings
Yahoo's specific requirements: Yahoo Mail displays a BIMI logo if a valid BIMI record points to a compliant SVG file. Unlike some other providers, Yahoo Mail does not always require a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for logo display.
DMARC prerequisite: BIMI functionality universally relies on a DMARC policy that is at enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject). This is a non-negotiable technical requirement across all BIMI-supporting platforms.
SVG format: The logo must be an SVG Tiny P/S version. Documentation details specific SVG attributes and styling restrictions to ensure proper rendering and security.
DNS TXT record: The BIMI record is published as a DNS TXT record, specifying the location of the SVG logo file. Proper DNS configuration is essential for mail servers to retrieve the logo.
Key considerations
VMC flexibility: While VMC is becoming standard for BIMI, Yahoo's stance on VMC has been more flexible. However, maintaining a strong sender reputation is always beneficial for consistent logo display.
SVG accessibility: The SVG image must be hosted on a secure (HTTPS) server and be publicly accessible for mail providers to fetch it. Any access issues will prevent display.
BIMI selector: BIMI records can include a selector tag, allowing for multiple BIMI records or different logos under the same domain. Ensure the correct selector is active if you use one.
Caching implications: Documentation implicitly acknowledges that mail client caches can delay updates. Though not explicitly stated as a fix, the expectation of propagation time is inherent.
Technical article
Documentation from the BIMI Group states that each provider's desktop and mobile displays for BIMI logos will differ. This highlights the importance of checking where your logo is displayed across various email clients, as the rendering can vary significantly.
Dec 2019 - BIMI Group
Technical article
The BIMI Group's FAQs clarify that Yahoo will display a BIMI logo if a valid BIMI record exists that points to an SVG logo file. This confirms Yahoo's general support for BIMI, provided the technical specifications are met.