Why is the wrong logo showing up in Yahoo with BIMI and how to fix it?

Key findings

• SVG compliance: The most common reason for incorrect or missing BIMI logos is an SVG file that does not strictly adhere to the SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (PS) profile, or is missing required elements like a title.
• Yahoo caching: Yahoo's systems may cache old logos or brand information, leading to persistent display of outdated imagery even after BIMI records are updated. This can be a significant challenge to troubleshoot.
• Fallback mechanisms: When BIMI validation fails (e.g., due to SVG errors), Yahoo might default to other sources for brand imagery, such as publicly available brand assets or social media profiles (like Twitter).
• Root domain versus subdomain: Sometimes, the issue arises if BIMI is configured only on a subdomain, and Yahoo (or other providers) looks for a logo at the root domain or elsewhere.
• DMARC enforcement: A DMARC policy at 'quarantine' or 'reject' is a prerequisite for BIMI, and any issues with DMARC alignment can prevent the logo from displaying correctly, or cause a fallback.

Key considerations

• Validate your SVG: Rigorously check your SVG logo against BIMI specifications. Many online tools can assist, or refer to the BIMI Group's SVG guidance.
• Contact Yahoo: If you suspect a cached image, reach out to Yahoo Mail's support team directly. They may be able to clear outdated entries for your domain.
• Review DMARC: Ensure your DMARC record is correctly configured and has a policy of `p=quarantine` or `p=reject`. Without this, BIMI will not function as intended. Learn how to safely transition your DMARC policy.
• Check all brand assets: Investigate if older brand logos exist on other public platforms linked to your domain, as Yahoo might be pulling from these. For more general troubleshooting, see why the wrong BIMI logo appears.

Key opinions

• SVG errors are primary: Many marketers find that seemingly minor SVG file errors, such as incorrect versioning or missing required attributes, are often the root cause of logo display problems.
• Yahoo's unique behavior: Yahoo is frequently cited as having distinct caching habits or fallback routines that can make troubleshooting more complex compared to other providers like Gmail.
• VMC's role: While a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is technically optional for BIMI, marketers sometimes observe that obtaining one can improve logo consistency or resolve display quirks, especially with certain mailbox providers.
• Contacting support helps: Direct communication with Yahoo's mail operations team is sometimes necessary to address specific cached logo issues that automatic corrections do not resolve.

Key considerations

• Use SVG validation tools: Before publishing, always run your SVG logo through a reliable validator to catch common errors. This is crucial for successful BIMI logo creation.
• Monitor propagation: Understand that DNS changes and logo updates can take time to propagate across the internet and for mailbox providers to refresh their caches. For Yahoo, this can be particularly slow. See how long BIMI logo updates take in Yahoo.
• Check all domains: Verify if the BIMI record needs to be present on the root domain as well as the sending subdomain, as some providers might check both.
• Review branding across platforms: Ensure your brand's presence across all online platforms is consistent, as Yahoo might sometimes reference these for logo display if BIMI fails.

Key opinions

• SVG compliance is absolute: Experts consistently emphasize that an SVG logo must perfectly adhere to the SVG Tiny 1.2 PS profile. Any deviation will likely lead to display failure or unexpected behavior.
• DMARC foundation: BIMI's reliance on a DMARC policy at 'quarantine' or 'reject' is non-negotiable. Without proper DMARC enforcement, BIMI will not function correctly, and logo display issues will persist.
• Yahoo's caching complexity: Yahoo's caching behavior for brand logos is recognized as particularly aggressive and can be difficult to override automatically, even after correcting underlying BIMI issues.
• VMC as a trust signal: While VMC is not strictly required by all supporting email clients, experts suggest it provides an additional layer of trust and verification that can positively influence logo display consistency.

Key considerations

• Thorough SVG validation: Always use a specialized BIMI SVG validation tool to ensure your logo meets all technical requirements before deployment.
• Verify DMARC alignment: Confirm that your SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured and align with your DMARC policy. Issues here will prevent BIMI from working. See how to fix DMARC issues.
• Direct ISP communication: For persistent issues, particularly with cached logos, direct engagement with Yahoo's postmaster or abuse desk is often the most effective route to resolution. Email authentication via BIMI requires active management.
• Review for redirects: Ensure the URL for your SVG logo does not involve redirects, as some mailbox providers might not follow them, leading to logo retrieval failures.

Key findings

• SVG Tiny 1.2 PS: The BIMI specification requires the logo to be an SVG file conforming to the SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure (PS) profile. It must also be served over HTTPS.
• Required SVG elements: A title element within the SVG is mandatory. This helps with accessibility and client parsing.
• DMARC policy enforcement: BIMI mandates that the sending domain's DMARC policy must be set to either 'quarantine' (p=quarantine) or 'reject' (p=reject) for the logo to be displayed.
• VMC verification: While not always strictly required, a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) authenticates the ownership of the logo and enhances trust, which can influence display by some providers.

Key considerations

• Adhere to SVG format: Ensure your SVG logo strictly follows the specified format and includes all required XML elements. Deviations will lead to display issues. Understanding Yahoo's BIMI requirements is key.
• Secure hosting: The SVG logo must be hosted on a secure web server accessible via HTTPS. Insecure hosting can prevent the logo from loading.
• Monitor DMARC reports: Regularly review your DMARC aggregate reports to confirm authentication pass rates and identify any issues that might affect BIMI display. A simple guide to DMARC can help you get started.
• Cache refresh times: Be aware that even after correcting technical issues, it can take time for email providers like Yahoo to refresh their caches and display the updated logo.