Customers often ignore or delete emails from unfamiliar senders due to spam concerns. BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) displays your verified logo next to your emails in Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail, increasing trust and open rates.
This guide explains how to set up BIMI for your domain.
Before You Begin
Before setting up BIMI, ensure you have:
A custom domain you own and control (e.g.,
[email protected]). BIMI does not work with free email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook).SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configured for your domain. Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for Email Authentication.
DMARC policy set to "quarantine" or "reject" (required by BIMI).
A trademarked logo and Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) if you send to Gmail addresses. Learn more about VMCs.
💡 Tip: BIMI is configured at the domain level (DNS), not within Omnisend. Once you publish your BIMI DNS record and VMC, your logo displays automatically for all Email Campaigns and Automation sent from that domain.
How BIMI Works
When you send an Email Campaign, the recipient's email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) checks your domain's BIMI DNS record. If your domain passes DMARC authentication and has a valid BIMI record, the provider displays your logo next to the email.
Here's the technical flow:
You send an email from
[email protected].The recipient's email server performs SPF, DKIM, and DMARC checks.
If DMARC passes, the server looks for a BIMI DNS record for
yourbrand.com.If a valid BIMI record and VMC exist, the server displays your logo.
Why BIMI Matters
BIMI helps you:
Increase open rates by displaying your logo in inboxes, making your emails instantly recognizable.
Build trust – recipients see your verified logo, reducing the chance they'll mark your email as spam.
Protect your brand – BIMI requires DMARC authentication, preventing malicious actors from spoofing your domain.
Email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail support BIMI. Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 do not currently support BIMI.
How to Set Up BIMI
Step 1: Prepare Your Logo
Your logo must meet BIMI requirements:
File format: SVG (.svg).
File size: Maximum 32 KB.
Shape: Square (1:1 aspect ratio) with the logo centered.
Content: Logo only – no taglines, slogans, or additional text in the file.
Hosting: Stored using HTTPS.
💡 Tip: Because SVG is vector-based, there are no pixel dimension limits. The logo scales automatically for different inbox sizes.
Step 2: Obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)
If you send emails to Gmail addresses, you must:
Trademark your logo with a recognized trademark office (USPTO, EUIPO, etc.).
Purchase a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) from an authorized Certificate Authority.
Note: Omnisend does not issue or manage VMCs. Contact your domain provider, email administrator, or Certificate Authority for VMC setup assistance.
Step 3: Publish Your BIMI DNS Record
Add a TXT record to your domain's DNS settings. The record should point to:
Your BIMI logo file (hosted via HTTPS).
Your VMC file (if applicable).
Follow Google's BIMI setup guide or MxToolbox's BIMI implementation guide for detailed DNS instructions.
Step 4: Verify Your BIMI Record
Use the VerifyBIMI tool to:
Check if your BIMI record is discoverable.
Preview how your logo appears in different inboxes (Gmail, Yahoo, Apple Mail).
Identify DNS or VMC configuration errors.
Troubleshooting
Logo Not Displaying?
If your logo doesn't appear in inboxes:
Check DMARC policy level – Must be set to "quarantine" or "reject", not "none".
Verify DNS propagation – DNS changes can take 24–48 hours to propagate globally. Use DNS Checker to confirm your BIMI record is live.
Validate your VMC – If you send to Gmail, ensure your VMC is active and correctly linked in your BIMI DNS record.
Test with BIMI validator – Use the VerifyBIMI tool to identify errors.
FAQ
Which email providers support BIMI?
BIMI is supported by Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, Apple Mail (iOS 16+ and macOS Ventura+), and Fastmail. Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 do not currently support BIMI.
Do I need a VMC for all email providers?
No. Gmail requires a VMC to display your logo. Yahoo, AOL, and Apple Mail do not require a VMC.
Can I use BIMI without trademarking my logo?
For Yahoo, AOL, and Apple Mail, you can display your logo without a VMC or trademark. However, Gmail requires both a trademark and a VMC.
How long does it take for my logo to appear?
After publishing your BIMI DNS record, allow 24–48 hours for DNS propagation. If your DMARC, SPF, and DKIM are already configured, your logo should appear once DNS propagates.
How do I verify my BIMI record is working?
Use the VerifyBIMI tool to check if your BIMI record is discoverable and see how your logo appears in different inboxes. You can also use MxToolbox's BIMI checker for additional validation.
If you require additional guidance, our 24/7 Support Team can be reached through the in-app chat or by emailing [email protected].