What Is BIMI?

What Is BIMI?

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is an email authentication standard that allows brands to display their logos in email clients. BIMI enables email clients to show verified brand logos next to authenticated emails, providing visual brand identification and trust.

BIMI requires: DMARC policy set to quarantine or reject, verified brand logo (SVG format), and BIMI record published in DNS. BIMI works with DMARC to provide brand protection - only emails that pass DMARC authentication can display BIMI logos.

BIMI enhances email security by providing visual verification of authenticated emails and helps recipients identify legitimate emails from trusted brands. Learn more about DMARC and DMARC policies.

BIMI Purpose

Brand Identification

BIMI provides visual brand identification in email clients, helping recipients identify legitimate emails from trusted brands.

Brand Trust

Verified brand logos increase trust and recognition, making it easier for recipients to identify authentic emails.

Brand Protection

BIMI protects brands by ensuring only authenticated emails can display brand logos, preventing brand spoofing.

Email Security

BIMI enhances email security by providing visual verification that emails are authenticated and legitimate.

User Experience

BIMI improves user experience by making it easier to identify trusted senders and legitimate emails.

BIMI Requirements

1. DMARC Policy

BIMI requires DMARC policy set to quarantine or reject. none policy is not sufficient for BIMI.

2. Brand Logo

BIMI requires verified brand logo in SVG format, meeting specific size and format requirements.

3. BIMI Record

BIMI record must be published in DNS as TXT record at: default._bimi.example.com

4. Logo Verification

Brand logos may need to be verified through BIMI logo verification services (VMC - Verified Mark Certificate).

5. Email Client Support

BIMI requires email client support. Currently supported by Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and other major email clients.

BIMI and DMARC

DMARC Dependency

BIMI depends on DMARC - only emails that pass DMARC authentication can display BIMI logos.

DMARC Policy Requirement

BIMI requires DMARC policy to be set to quarantine or reject, ensuring strong email authentication.

Authentication Flow

Email authentication flow: SPF/DKIM check → DMARC evaluation → DMARC pass → BIMI logo display.

Brand Protection

BIMI and DMARC work together to provide comprehensive brand protection, ensuring only authenticated emails display brand logos.

Implementation Order

Implement DMARC first, then add BIMI after DMARC is working correctly with quarantine or reject policy.

Implementing BIMI

1. Set Up DMARC

First, set up DMARC with quarantine or reject policy. Use our DMARC lookup tool to verify DMARC configuration.

2. Create Brand Logo

Create brand logo in SVG format meeting BIMI requirements (size, format, verification).

3. Verify Logo

Verify brand logo through BIMI logo verification services if required by email clients.

4. Publish BIMI Record

Publish BIMI record in DNS: default._bimi.example.com TXT "v=BIMI1; l=https://example.com/logo.svg;"

5. Test BIMI

Test BIMI by sending emails and verifying logos display correctly in supported email clients.

6. Monitor Results

Monitor BIMI implementation to ensure logos display correctly and DMARC authentication is working.