BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is a DNS record that points to a brand's logo so mailbox providers can display it next to authenticated messages. It depends on DMARC enforcement and, at Gmail and Apple, on a Verified Mark Certificate.
Does BIMI work without a VMC?
Yahoo and Fastmail display BIMI logos with DMARC enforcement alone. Gmail and Apple require a VMC or CMC.
What image format does BIMI require?
SVG Tiny 1.2 Portable/Secure. No PNG, JPG, or standard SVG.
Does BIMI improve deliverability?
Not directly. Its prerequisite, DMARC enforcement, does. The logo mainly lifts engagement and trust.
Why does BIMI matter for deliverability?
A verified logo increases open rates and trust, and the DMARC prerequisite forces a domain to finish its authentication work. It is also a visible signal that a message is not a phish.
What is the first step to get started with BIMI?
Reach DMARC p=quarantine (pct=100) or p=reject on the sending domain.
What is the most common BIMI mistake?
Publishing BIMI while DMARC is still at p=none; providers ignore the record.