Does domain/IP reputation affect BIMI logo display with VMC?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from URIports explains that while BIMI requires a valid VMC and compliant DMARC record, a good sender reputation helps in email deliverability, which is essential for the BIMI logo to be displayed in the recipient's inbox.
Email marketer from EmailAuth.io explains that domain reputation plays a role in whether your BIMI logo will display. A positive domain reputation can help ensure that your emails are delivered to the inbox, where the BIMI logo can be displayed. However, a negative domain reputation can hurt your chances of having your BIMI logo displayed.
Email marketer from dmarcian answers explaining that while BIMI focuses on authentication and logo display, underlying deliverability is crucial. Domain/IP reputation impacts deliverability and thus the likelihood of the logo being shown.
Marketer from Email Geeks clarifies DMARC is the *only* way to get BIMI and that without VMC or DMARC, no logo will be displayed, except on Fastmail and Yahoo.
Email marketer from OnlyBIMI highlights that a VMC validates your logo and connects it to your brand, but a strong sending reputation is crucial for getting emails delivered in the first place. Poor sending reputation = emails in spam = no logo displayed.
Email marketer from Proofpoint (formerly Agari) shares that while BIMI provides visual brand reinforcement, it depends on successful delivery. Domain reputation influences this, as poor reputation can cause filtering.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Google considers domain and IP reputation when displaying the BIMI logo, using metrics like spam complaint rates and bounce rates. It also mentions that email authentication protocols like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM can increase chances of VMC approval.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains that VMC combined with DMARC is necessary but not always sufficient. Domain/IP reputation still influences deliverability, impacting whether an email even reaches the inbox to display the BIMI logo.
Email marketer from Reddit shares that while BIMI primarily relies on DMARC compliance and VMC, a poor sender reputation can still indirectly impact logo display. ISPs might filter emails from domains with bad reputations, preventing them from even reaching the inbox where BIMI would be visible.
Email marketer from Mailhardener explains that DMARC authentication and a VMC are necessary conditions for BIMI, but they don't guarantee logo display. If your domain has a poor reputation, your emails might end up in spam folders, rendering the BIMI implementation ineffective as the logo won't be visible.
Marketer from Email Geeks clarifies that having SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in place helps to ensure email messages are properly authenticated, which can increase the chances of your domain being approved for a VMC.
What the experts say2Expert opinions
Expert from Spam Resource, Steve Jones, explains that VMC combined with DMARC compliance is crucial, but domain and IP reputation can impact whether the logo will be displayed.
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, responds to the question by stating that BIMI itself does not directly impact sender reputation, a pre-existing good sender reputation is crucial for BIMI implementation, because poor sender reputation can lead to messages being blocked or sent to spam, making the BIMI logo irrelevant.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from GlobalSign highlights that while VMC helps display verified logos, it won't overcome poor sender reputation. Deliverability issues due to bad reputation will prevent the logo from being seen.
Documentation from DigiCert indicates that while a VMC primarily verifies logo ownership, inbox providers consider sender reputation for overall email handling. Poor reputation can lead to filtering, bypassing BIMI display.
Documentation from BIMI Group answers confirming that while the BIMI specification outlines requirements for DMARC and VMC, mailbox providers may still use reputation as a factor in determining email placement, indirectly affecting BIMI logo display.
Documentation from Valimail responds stating that BIMI relies on a valid VMC and DMARC policy, inbox providers still use reputation metrics. Poor reputation can result in emails being blocked or sent to spam, regardless of BIMI setup.
Documentation from Entrust outlines that while VMC and proper DMARC setup are primary, deliverability remains key. If your domain's reputation causes emails to land in spam, the BIMI record, and therefore the logo, becomes irrelevant.