Guide
BIMI, explained — and how to set it up
BIMI puts your brand logo next to authenticated email in the inbox — a trust signal you only earn once your authentication is solid.
Check your BIMI record →What it is
BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) displays your organisation's logo beside your messages in supporting inboxes like Gmail, Apple Mail and Yahoo. It's a TXT record that points to an SVG logo and, for Gmail and Apple, a Verified Mark Certificate that proves you own the logo.
Why it matters
A recognisable logo in the inbox builds trust and can lift open rates — and it's visible proof to recipients that the message is authenticated.
BIMI only takes effect once your domain enforces DMARC, so it doubles as an incentive to finish your email-authentication rollout.
How to set it up
- 1Get DMARC to enforcement first — p=quarantine or p=reject is required before BIMI displays.
- 2Create a square logo in SVG Tiny PS format and host it over HTTPS.
- 3For Gmail and Apple Mail, obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) from an approved certificate authority.
- 4Publish the default._bimi.yourdomain.com TXT record with l= (logo URL) and a= (VMC URL).
Record structure & options
Displays your brand logo next to authenticated mail in supporting inboxes. It points to an SVG logo and (for Gmail/Apple) a verified-mark certificate.
v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/vmc.pem
- v=BIMI1
- Version — required.
- l=
- HTTPS URL of your logo — must be SVG Tiny PS format, square.
- a=
- HTTPS URL of a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC). Optional in the spec, but required by Gmail/Apple to actually show the logo.
BIMI only takes effect once DMARC is at enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject).
Common problems
- My BIMI logo isn't showing.
- The two usual reasons: your DMARC policy isn't at quarantine or reject yet, or (for Gmail/Apple) you haven't attached a valid VMC. Some inboxes also require a minimum sending reputation.
- Why won't my SVG work?
- BIMI requires the specific SVG Tiny PS (Portable/Secure) profile — a normal SVG export won't validate. The image must also be square.
- Do I really need a VMC?
- Technically it's optional in the spec, but Gmail and Apple Mail require one to actually display the logo — and VMCs are paid and involve a trademark check.
Check it — then keep it healthy
Run a free scan now, or let DomainHealthPro monitor it continuously and alert you the moment it breaks.