Summary
BIMI disappeared from Gmail due to a combination of factors. A bug in Gmail's handling of DKIM signatures, particularly with multiple signatures, triggered a temporary pause in BIMI checking. While Gmail addressed the issue, several other potential causes exist, including incorrect SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations, DNS misconfigurations, invalid SSL certificates for the SVG logo, and temporary glitches on Google's end. Many reported a gradual restoration of BIMI, particularly for double-signed emails. Troubleshooting involves checking DMARC reports, DNS records, and the SSL certificate.
Key findings
- DKIM Bug: Gmail had a bug in DKIM signature handling, especially with multiple signatures, leading to BIMI issues.
- Temporary Pause: Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checking, causing logos to disappear.
- Authentication Matters: Valid SPF, DKIM, and a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' are required for BIMI.
- DNS Configuration: Correct BIMI DNS record configuration is crucial.
- SSL Certificate: The SSL certificate for the SVG logo needs to be valid.
Key considerations
- Authentication Validation: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured.
- DNS Record Verification: Verify the BIMI DNS record for syntax and value accuracy.
- SSL Certificate Check: Confirm that the SSL certificate for the SVG logo is valid and not expired.
- Monitor for Updates: Be aware that Gmail updates or temporary glitches may affect BIMI display, requiring monitoring.
- Check Reports: Regularly check DMARC reports and DNS records for potential issues.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
BIMI disappeared from Gmail due to a bug affecting the handling of DKIM signatures, particularly those with multiple signatures. Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checks, causing the BIMI logo to disappear for some senders. Double-signed emails saw a more immediate impact. Google acknowledged the issue and worked on a fix, with some users reporting a gradual restoration of BIMI. Several factors can impact BIMI display including incorrect DNS configurations, DMARC policy settings, SSL certificate issues with the SVG logo, and temporary glitches on Google's side. Checking DMARC reports and DNS records is recommended for troubleshooting.
Key opinions
- DKIM Bug: A bug in Gmail's handling of DKIM signatures, especially with multiple signatures, caused BIMI to disappear.
- Temporary Pause: Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checks, resulting in the BIMI logo disappearing for some senders.
- Double DKIM Impact: Emails with double DKIM signatures were notably affected, and the restoration of BIMI seemed to start with these.
- Google's Fix: Google acknowledged the issue and worked on a fix, leading to a gradual restoration of BIMI.
Key considerations
- DNS Configuration: Ensure that the BIMI DNS record is correctly configured and published.
- DMARC Settings: Verify DMARC policy settings, as they can impact BIMI display.
- SSL Certificate: Check the SSL certificate for the SVG asset used in the BIMI record; an invalid or expired certificate can prevent BIMI from displaying.
- Sporadic Issues: Be aware that BIMI issues can sometimes be sporadic and resolve themselves after a short period, but monitoring is still important.
- Troubleshooting: If BIMI disappears, check DMARC reports and DNS records for any misconfigurations.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit reports seeing sporadic BIMI issues and suggests checking DMARC reports and DNS records for any misconfigurations. They also indicate that sometimes the issue resolves itself after a short period.
18 Feb 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from OnlyMyEmail shares that mailboxes may pause BIMI checks to deal with issues, this can be temporary.
8 Apr 2022 - OnlyMyEmail
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checking, causing BIMI logos to disappear from some messages. This issue affected both single and double DKIM signed emails. Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM) and a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' are crucial for BIMI to function correctly; misconfigurations or email client issues can also cause BIMI to fail.
Key opinions
- Temporary Pause: Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checking on inbound messages.
- Authentication Requirements: Correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration are essential for BIMI to work.
- Configuration Errors: Incorrect email authentication settings can lead to BIMI failure.
Key considerations
- Authentication Checks: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured to meet BIMI requirements.
- Gmail's Status: Be aware that Gmail may temporarily pause BIMI checking during updates or issue resolution.
- Client Issues: The email client itself may have issues preventing the display of BIMI.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks agrees that Gmail stepped back to fix something, noting that BIMI was paused for both single and double signers, and some senders were affected differently.
3 Oct 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that to use BIMI, a sender must authenticate their email with SPF and DKIM, and have a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'. If any of these configurations are incorrect, BIMI will fail. Also if the email clients have any issues then BIMI will not be displayed.
27 Mar 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
BIMI's functionality depends heavily on proper email authentication. Correct implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential, as is a correctly configured BIMI DNS record. Gmail's display of BIMI can be influenced by DMARC policy settings, DNS issues, its own algorithms, and temporary glitches or updates.
Key findings
- Authentication is Key: BIMI requires valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations.
- DNS Configuration Critical: Incorrect BIMI DNS record configuration will cause BIMI to fail.
- Multiple Influences: Gmail's BIMI display is affected by DMARC policy, DNS configuration, Gmail's internal algorithms, glitches, and updates.
Key considerations
- Validate Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured according to BIMI standards.
- Check DNS Records: Verify the syntax and values of the BIMI DNS record to prevent errors.
- Monitor for Changes: Be aware that Gmail updates or temporary glitches can impact BIMI visibility, requiring ongoing monitoring and possible adjustments.
Technical article
Documentation from dmarc.org clarifies that incorrect BIMI DNS record configuration can cause BIMI to fail. They emphasize the importance of validating the syntax and values of the BIMI record.
9 May 2022 - dmarc.org
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help details that BIMI display can be affected by various factors, including DMARC policy settings, DNS configuration issues, and Gmail's internal algorithms. Temporary glitches or updates on Google's end can also impact BIMI visibility.
22 Aug 2024 - Google Workspace Admin Help
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