BIMI in 2025: Show Your Verified Logo in the Inbox (Simple Guide + VMC/CMC Checklist)

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) lets mailbox providers display your brand logo next to your emails—once your domain is properly authenticated and you publish a small TXT record in DNS. In practice, this means: SPF + DKIM, DMARC at enforcement, a BIMI record, and (for Gmail) a certificate tied to your logo. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

What changed in 2025?

• Gmail: Requires a third-party certificate to show your logo. Gmail accepts either a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) or a Common Mark Certificate (CMC). If you use VMC, Gmail also shows the blue verification checkmark. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Yahoo Mail: Does not require a VMC to display a BIMI logo (it can use VMC if present to inform eligibility). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Requirements at a glance

• SPF and DKIM aligned (sending domain signs mail and passes authentication). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• DMARC with policy p=quarantine or p=reject (enforcement, not p=none). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Logo file: SVG Tiny-PS, square, and ≤ 32 KB. Host it over HTTPS. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• BIMI DNS record: a TXT record at default._bimi.yourdomain.com pointing to your SVG and (for Gmail) to your certificate file (PEM). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Certificate (Gmail): VMC (blue check) or CMC (logo without blue check). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

VMC vs CMC (quick comparison)

Source: Google Workspace Admin Help (BIMI setup and certificate types). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Step-by-step: how to publish BIMI

1. Lock down authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are aligned; set DMARC to p=quarantine or p=reject at 100%. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
2. Prepare your logo: Convert to SVG Tiny-PS, keep it square and ≤ 32 KB; host it at an HTTPS URL. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
3. (Gmail) Obtain certificate: Choose VMC (blue check) or CMC (no check). You’ll receive a .pem file/URL. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
4. Publish the BIMI TXT: At default._bimi.yourdomain.com create a TXT record with your SVG URL and (for Gmail) the certificate URL. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
5. Test & wait: Use a BIMI checker and allow DNS to propagate. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Example BIMI DNS records

With certificate (Gmail):

Host: default._bimi.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/brand/bimi-logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/brand/your-bimi.pem

Self-asserted (no certificate): Works for some providers like Yahoo; Gmail won’t display the logo without VMC/CMC.

Host: default._bimi.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/brand/bimi-logo.svg; a=

Syntax and placement per BIMI Group and Google Admin docs. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Common logo pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• SVG too large: keep it ≤ 32,768 bytes uncompressed; remove metadata, gradients, and unnecessary paths. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Wrong SVG profile: set baseProfile="tiny-ps" and avoid scripts, external links, or animations. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Where Mailpro fits

Mailpro helps on the sending side while you (or IT) handle the DNS pieces:

• Send from domains with SPF and DKIM aligned—Mailpro supports authenticated sending and guides you to add the right DNS records.
• Keep list quality high so providers are more willing to display your logo (good engagement and low spam rates matter).
• Use Mailpro’s deliverability stats to monitor performance before and after BIMI (opens, clicks, complaints) and prove the brand-trust lift.

Fast FAQ

Do I need a certificate for BIMI?
Not always. Yahoo and some providers may show your logo without a certificate. Gmail requires a VMC or CMC; VMC adds the blue check. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Will BIMI work if my DMARC is p=none?
No. You need DMARC at enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject). :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

How do I add the BIMI TXT?
Create a TXT record at default._bimi.yourdomain.com with the SVG URL and, for Gmail, your certificate URL. Google’s admin guide has step-by-step instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

Copy-paste checklist

• [ ] SPF & DKIM aligned
• [ ] DMARC = p=quarantine or p=reject, pct=100
• [ ] SVG Tiny-PS logo (square, ≤ 32 KB) on HTTPS
• [ ] VMC or CMC if you want Gmail logo (VMC shows blue check)
• [ ] TXT at default._bimi.yourdomain.com with v=BIMI1; l=SVG; a=PEM
• [ ] Test, then track results in Mailpro