Why is my BIMI logo not showing up on Yahoo?

Key findings

• DMARC policy enforcement: Yahoo generally requires a DMARC policy of p=quarantine or p=reject for your organizational domain for BIMI to display. If your DMARC record includes sp=none (subdomain policy set to none), this could prevent your logo from appearing.
• SPF alignment: Even if SPF is used on a subdomain for the return-path, the DMARC check for BIMI requires either SPF or DKIM to align with the Header From domain. A missing SPF record on the root domain or non-strict SPF alignment can be problematic.
• Volume and reputation: Yahoo (like other mailbox providers) has volume and reputation thresholds. BIMI logos are typically displayed for bulk mail, not personal emails. Sufficient sending volume and good sender reputation are essential.
• Logo format: The BIMI logo must be an SVG Tiny PS file and hosted securely (HTTPS). Incorrect SVG formatting or hosting can lead to display issues.
• VMC requirement: While some providers (like Gmail) support self-signed BIMI, Yahoo often requires a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to display your logo, adding an extra layer of verification.

Key considerations

• Review DMARC policy: Ensure your DMARC policy is set to p=quarantine or p=reject for the organizational domain, including any subdomains, as Yahoo requires this for BIMI display.
• Check SPF and DKIM alignment: Verify that your SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured and achieve alignment with your Header From domain. Even if SPF for the root domain is not used for sending, its absence can impact BIMI if DMARC alignment relies solely on it.
• Monitor reputation and volume: Continuously monitor your sending reputation and ensure you are sending sufficient volume to Yahoo recipients. Yahoo's system needs to recognize your domain as a legitimate bulk sender for BIMI to activate.
• Verify SVG file and VMC: Ensure your SVG Tiny PS logo is correctly formatted and accessible via HTTPS. If Yahoo requires it, obtain and properly link a Verified Mark Certificate. The BIMI Group website provides helpful FAQs for senders and ESPs on these requirements.
• Troubleshoot specific issues: If problems persist, systematically troubleshoot your BIMI setup, checking DNS records and ensuring all requirements are met.

Key opinions

• DMARC policy strictness: Many marketers find that Yahoo's BIMI display is very sensitive to DMARC policy, specifically requiring it to be enforced (e.g., p=reject or p=quarantine) for all relevant domains, including subdomains.
• Subdomain policy impact: A sp=none tag, even with a p=reject policy on the organizational domain, can be a hidden blocker for Yahoo BIMI adoption.
• Volume dependency: Yahoo's BIMI display is not instant and often requires consistent, high-volume sending to its recipients. This is a common point of confusion for those transitioning from testing to production.
• SPF record presence: While not always strictly required for DMARC pass if DKIM aligns, some marketers question whether a missing SPF record on the Header From root domain could still implicitly affect Yahoo's assessment for BIMI.

Key considerations

• Align DMARC for all domains: Marketers should ensure their DMARC policy is robust across both root and subdomains to meet Yahoo's requirements, specifically aiming for p=quarantine or p=reject and avoiding sp=none for sending domains.
• Boost sending volume: Increase email sending volume to Yahoo users if it's currently low, as Yahoo needs to observe consistent, legitimate bulk sending activity before displaying the BIMI logo. Verizon Media's documentation explicitly states this.
• Monitor DMARC reports: Utilize DMARC monitoring tools to gain visibility into your email authentication performance, especially for Yahoo, to ensure DMARC is consistently passing for emails sent from your primary domains.
• Check BIMI validators: Use official BIMI lookup tools to diagnose potential issues with your BIMI record or SVG file, as these can highlight configuration gaps not immediately obvious.

Key opinions

• DMARC enforcement is paramount: Experts consistently point out that Yahoo requires DMARC to be at an enforcement policy (p=quarantine or p=reject) across all relevant domains, including subdomains, for BIMI to display.
• Volume and reputation matter: Unlike some other providers, Yahoo's BIMI display is not guaranteed immediately upon setup. It depends heavily on the sender's volume and established positive reputation.
• Yahoo's specific requirements: There are specific nuances to Yahoo's BIMI implementation, such as their emphasis on bulk mail over personal emails for logo display, which must be considered.
• Legacy naming: A minor, but notable point, is the correct branding: it's Yahoo, not Yahoo!.

Key considerations

• Strict DMARC adherence: Ensure your DMARC policy is firmly set to p=quarantine or p=reject, and avoid any sp=none if BIMI is desired on subdomains, as this can override the main policy.
• Patience with Yahoo: Recognize that Yahoo's BIMI display has a maturation period, requiring consistent email volume and positive reputation before the logo appears. It's not an instant activation.
• Comprehensive alignment checks: While SPF on the root domain might seem unnecessary if a subdomain is used for Return-Path, experts advise verifying all aspects of authentication. Yahoo places a high value on all signals, including DMARC and its underlying SPF and DKIM authentication.
• BIMI tooling: Use official BIMI lookup and validation tools to confirm your DNS records and SVG file adhere to the standard. This helps rule out common technical misconfigurations. For more information, the BIMI Group provides an inspector tool.

Key findings

• DMARC enforcement: The BIMI standard explicitly states that DMARC must be in an enforcement mode (p=quarantine or p=reject) for the domain identified in the From: header to be eligible for BIMI.
• Bulk mail requirement: Yahoo's documentation specifically notes that BIMI logos are typically displayed for bulk mailings, not for personal emails, indicating a volume threshold or classification system.
• SVG Tiny PS format: The BIMI logo must be in SVG Tiny PS format and hosted on a secure (HTTPS) server. Any deviation can lead to display failure.
• VMC usage: While not universally mandated by all providers, documentation often recommends or requires a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for the highest level of trust and broader BIMI adoption.

Key considerations

• Verify DMARC compliance: Confirm that your DMARC record is correctly published and its policy is at quarantine or reject. Pay attention to sp tags to ensure subdomains are also covered by an enforcement policy.
• Meet SVG specifications: Rigorously check your SVG Tiny PS file against BIMI specifications, including dimensions, file size, and the absence of external references or scripts, as these are common causes of failure.
• Understand provider specifics: While BIMI is a standard, each mailbox provider has its own interpretation or additional requirements. Consult Yahoo's official developer documentation on BIMI to understand their particular nuances regarding display conditions and timeframes.
• Consider a VMC: If you haven't already, investigate obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) from an accredited certificate authority. This provides explicit proof of logo ownership and can improve BIMI display rates on platforms like Yahoo that prioritize verified brands.