BIMI 2025 Guide: How to Show Your Brand Logo in Gmail & Yahoo
- Mithun GS
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
What Is BIMI? (Simple Version)
BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) lets your brand show its official logo next to your emails in Gmail, Yahoo, and other major inboxes.
It makes your email:
More trusted
More visible
More likely to be opened
But BIMI only works if your domain is secure (DMARC required).
Requirements for BIMI in 2025
To enable BIMI, you must have:
✔ 1. DMARC with enforcement
Policy must be:p=quarantine or p=reject(Gmail will NOT show BIMI if DMARC is “none”)
✔ 2. SVG Tiny PS Logo
This is a special secure vector logo format.Normal SVG files don’t work.
✔ 3. BIMI DNS Record
Placed at:default._bimi.yourdomain.com
✔ 4. VMC Certificate (Verified Mark Certificate)
Gmail & Yahoo require this.It proves your brand logo is legally yours.
Provided by:
Entrust
DigiCert
VMC is the most expensive step, but needed for major inboxes.
BIMI DNS Record Example
Add this TXT record:
default._bimi.yourdomain.com TXT "v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/vmc.pem"
Meaning:
l= link to your BIMI SVG logo
a= link to your VMC certificate
If you don’t have a VMC yet, use:
default._bimi.yourdomain.com TXT "v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg;"
Yahoo may still show your logo; Gmail will not.
Your BIMI SVG Logo Requirements
Your BIMI logo must follow:
Pure vector (no PNG/JPG inside)
Square shape
No JavaScript
No animation
SVG Tiny P/S format only
A typical BIMI SVG will start with:
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.2" baseProfile="tiny-ps">VMC Certificate Explained (Simple)
A Verified Mark Certificate is like a passport for your brand logo.
You need:
Registered trademark
A validated identity check
A hosted VMC file available over HTTPS
Cost is usually $1,000–$1,500 per year, depending on provider.
Gmail WILL NOT show your BIMI logo without a VMC.
Step-by-Step: How to Enable BIMI (Short & Clear)
1. Ensure DMARC is enforced
Example DNS:
_dmarc.yourdomain.com TXT "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com"2. Create your BIMI SVG Tiny PS logo
Make sure it meets standards.
3. Host the logo
Example:https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg
4. Get a VMC certificate
Store the .pem file:https://yourdomain.com/vmc.pem
5. Add BIMI DNS record
default._bimi.yourdomain.com TXT "v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/vmc.pem"6. Test with BIMI Inspector
Use:BIMI Group CheckerValimail BIMI ToolGmail Postmaster Tools
What Users Will See
With BIMI + VMC active:
Gmail shows your logo in the avatar area
Yahoo shows your brand icon in inbox and open-view
Higher open rates (5–20% increase)
Why BIMI Matters in 2025
✔ Makes your brand instantly recognizable
✔ Builds trust against phishing attempts
✔ Works with DMARC to improve security
✔ Boosts email engagement & conversions
BIMI is now a mainstream branding signal for serious companies.
Common BIMI Errors (Quick Fixes)
❌ DMARC not enforced → BIMI will not show
❌ Logo not SVG Tiny PS → rejected
❌ VMC missing → Gmail refuses BIMI
❌ Wrong DNS format → BIMI fails
❌ Logo URL not HTTPS
Fix these → BIMI starts working quickly.
Short Summary
BIMI allows your brand logo to appear in Gmail and Yahoo activate it in 2025, you need:
DMARC enforcement
A compliant BIMI SVG logo
A VMC certificate
A valid BIMI DNS record
Once set, your emails look more official and trustworthy.
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