Guide
BIMI: How to Show Your Brand Logo in Gmail and Apple Mail
BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) puts your logo next to your emails in Gmail, Apple Mail, and Yahoo. It's the strongest visual trust signal in email. And it requires proper DMARC enforcement to work — which means it's only available to senders who've done authentication correctly.
You want the logo in the inbox. Gmail won't show it until you've done the boring stuff first — enforced DMARC policy, aligned SPF and DKIM, a legal logo file, and usually a paid certificate. This guide is the checklist. Use DNS Preflight to prove the DNS side before you spend money on a VMC.
What BIMI Is
BIMI adds your brand logo to the sender field in supporting clients. Users see your logo before they open the email.
It's not cosmetic. Studies show BIMI increases open rates by 10–20% and cuts spam complaints. Recognisable brands get more opens.
Currently supported by:
- Gmail (all plans)
- Apple Mail (iOS 16+, macOS Ventura+)
- Yahoo Mail
- Fastmail
What You Need Before Starting
BIMI has hard prerequisites. All four must be in place before you add a BIMI record:
- DMARC at p=quarantine or p=reject.
p=nonedoes not qualify. This is the most common blocker. Read none vs quarantine vs reject if you're stuck. - SPF and DKIM both configured and passing alignment.
- SVG logo — specific format. Tiny PS profile, square aspect ratio.
- Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) — required for Gmail. Issued by Entrust or DigiCert. Roughly $1,000–1,500/year.
Step 1 — Verify Your DMARC Policy
Run DNS Preflight on your domain. The DMARC card must show p=quarantine or p=reject — not p=none.
If you're at p=none, fix that first. Follow the DMARC setup guide.
Step 2 — Prepare Your SVG Logo
BIMI wants a specific SVG:
- SVG Tiny PS profile
- Square aspect ratio (1:1)
- Solid background (no transparency)
- No animations
Free converter: vecta.io/nano turns most SVGs into BIMI-compatible output.
Host the file at a stable HTTPS URL on your domain, for example:
Step 3 — Get a VMC Certificate
Required for Gmail. Optional for Yahoo.
Two issuers: Entrust (VMC) and DigiCert (verified mark certificates).
The VMC binds your logo to a trademark you can prove. You need trademark registration in at least one jurisdiction.
Budget about $1,000–1,500/year.
Step 4 — Host Files on HTTPS
Serve both the SVG and the VMC PEM from your domain over HTTPS. Paths must stay stable — you're embedding them in DNS.
Step 5 — Add the BIMI DNS Record
Publish TXT at default._bimi.yourdomain.com:
Tags: v= is always BIMI1. l= is your SVG URL. a= is your VMC in PEM form.
Yahoo / Fastmail without VMC (no a=):
Step 6 — Verify
BIMI needs 24–48 hours of DNS propagation.
Test with bimigroup.org/bimi-generator — it previews how the logo should render.
Gmail often takes 1–2 weeks after DNS is correct. They cache BIMI aggressively.
Tool: Prove DMARC and BIMI prerequisites in the browser before you buy a VMC.
Step by step
FAQ
What is BIMI?
Brand Indicators for Message Identification — a standard that shows your brand logo next to emails in Gmail, Apple Mail, and Yahoo. Requires DMARC enforcement and a Verified Mark Certificate.
Do I need a VMC certificate for BIMI?
For Gmail — yes. For Yahoo and Fastmail — no, they support BIMI without VMC. VMC costs approximately $1,000-1,500/year from Entrust or DigiCert.
Can I use BIMI with DMARC p=none?
No. BIMI requires p=quarantine or p=reject. p=none disqualifies you. Fix your DMARC policy first.
How long does BIMI take to appear in Gmail?
DNS propagation takes 24-48 hours. Gmail then takes 1-2 weeks to show the logo — they cache BIMI lookups aggressively.
What SVG format does BIMI require?
SVG Tiny PS profile, square aspect ratio, solid background, no animations. Use vecta.io/nano to convert your existing SVG to BIMI format.