How can I expedite the VMC certificate issuance process?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Gmass suggests ensuring the domain reputation is good before applying, by warming up the IP address and ensuring you are following all email deliverability best practices. This prevents delays if the CA needs to do further review.
Email marketer from ZeroBounce recommends ensuring BIMI is set up properly before VMC, making sure your DMARC, DKIM and SPF records are all correct, the logo is correct and the BIMI record is working. This ensures your application will be smoother.
Email marketer from Dmarcian suggests being responsive to any issues or questions raised by the certification authority during the VMC application process. Quickly providing the required information or addressing concerns can prevent delays and keep the process moving forward.
Email marketer from StackOverflow explains double-checking your logo's SVG format, ensuring it scales correctly, and that no hidden layers or elements exist. They suggest validating the logo using online SVG validators to address common issues proactively before submission.
Email marketer from EmailGeek Forum recommends choosing a notary public who has experience with VMC applications, as they will be familiar with the specific requirements and can help avoid common mistakes that cause delays.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Google-profile and Annotation-based logos will continue to work for logo coverage, even after BIMI is live, though they might eventually require added verification.
Email marketer from Entrust suggests ensuring that the trademark is registered in all relevant jurisdictions and that the legal entity name matches exactly the information provided during VMC application. Discrepancies in these details are a common cause of delays.
Email marketer from Twitter recommends regularly monitoring the status of your VMC application through the certificate authority's online portal or by contacting their support team. Staying informed allows you to quickly address any issues and prevents the application from stalling.
Email marketer from Reddit advises proactively contacting the certificate authority's support team after submitting your application. Regular follow-ups and promptly addressing any queries they have can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Email marketer from Mailhardener suggests utilizing a VMC pre-check service. These services evaluate your domain's readiness for VMC by verifying DNS records, trademark information, and logo compliance, helping you fix issues before you formally apply, significantly speeding up the process.
What the experts say4Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains that obtaining a VMC involves time-consuming steps like notary and logo verification and suggests a pre-existing client relationship could lead to faster processing.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that Digicert/Entrust control the VMC certificates and leveraging existing relationships with them might expedite the process.
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that ensuring consistency between your brand name, logo, and registered trademark across all platforms (website, marketing materials, etc.) can streamline the verification process. Inconsistencies can raise red flags and trigger additional scrutiny, delaying VMC approval.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that delays often stem from incomplete or inaccurate trademark information. They advise thoroughly reviewing and double-checking all trademark details submitted to the VMC authority for accuracy against official records.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Sectigo mentions researching and choosing a VMC provider (certificate authority) known for its efficient processing times and responsive customer support can be beneficial. Some providers have streamlined their processes and offer quicker turnaround times.
Documentation from DigiCert highlights that ensuring your logo meets exact specifications and providing all required documentation upfront can significantly speed up the VMC issuance process. Specifically, ensuring the logo is a registered trademark and available in the correct SVG format is critical.
Documentation from GlobalSign emphasizes that all details associated with your registered trademark (name, address, jurisdiction) must be precisely aligned across all application documents. Any inconsistencies will require manual verification and extend the issuance timeframe.
Documentation from BIMI Group explains that properly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is essential. Ensure DMARC is set to 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' to qualify for BIMI and VMC, as this demonstrates robust email authentication practices and reduces processing time.