BIMI in 2026: Show Your Verified Logo in the Inbox (Simple Guide + VMC/CMC Checklist)

BIMI 2026: Verified Logos in the Inbox | Guide & 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.

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.
  • Yahoo Mail: Does not require a VMC to display a BIMI logo (it can use VMC if present to inform eligibility).

Requirements at a glance

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

VMC vs CMC (quick comparison)

  VMC CMC
Trademark required Usually yes (trademarked logo) No trademark required
Gmail behavior Shows logo + blue checkmark Shows logo (no blue check)
Cost & speed Higher cost, more verification Lower cost, faster path
Both still require SPF, DKIM, DMARC at enforcement, valid BIMI TXT, SVG Tiny-PS

Source: Google Workspace Admin Help (BIMI setup and certificate types).

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%.
  2. Prepare your logo: Convert to SVG Tiny-PS, keep it square and ≤ 32 KB; host it at an HTTPS URL.
  3. (Gmail) Obtain certificate: Choose VMC (blue check) or CMC (no check). You’ll receive a .pem file/URL.
  4. Publish the BIMI TXT: At default._bimi.yourdomain.com create a TXT record with your SVG URL and (for Gmail) the certificate URL.
  5. Test & wait: Use a BIMI checker and allow DNS to propagate.

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.

Common logo pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

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

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.

Will BIMI work if my DMARC is p=none?
No. You need DMARC at enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject).

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.

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

 

Related guides: email deliverability · Mailpro Sender Score · email blacklist · spam complaint rate

BIMI with Mailpro

Your logo can only appear if your campaigns are sent under your own domain and signed with your DKIM key. Without DKIM installed, Mailpro sends your messages from a shared technical domain, and no logo is shown. So start by setting up DKIM in Mailpro (menu “Email Senders”). DMARC passes as soon as DKIM or SPF is aligned with your domain; an aligned DKIM remains the most reliable choice. Gmail and Apple Mail still require a VMC or CMC certificate. Yahoo shows the logo without a certificate, but only for senders with enough volume and a good reputation.

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