How will VMCs be adopted following Gmail's BIMI pilot launch and DMARC discussions?
Summary
What email marketers say9Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Reddit explains that DMARC enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject) is a prerequisite for BIMI. Without proper DMARC implementation, organizations cannot take advantage of BIMI's logo display features.
Email marketer from Emailable Blog shares that the cost and complexity of obtaining VMCs are significant barriers to widespread adoption, especially for smaller businesses. Many companies are hesitant to invest in something that requires a legal entity verification.
Email marketer from LinkedIn believes that BIMI adoption will accelerate as more email clients support it and as the benefits of increased brand visibility and trust become more apparent. VMCs will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of the BIMI ecosystem.
Email marketer from OnlyMyEmail Blog responds that adoption will likely be phased, with larger corporations leading the way due to their greater resources and brand recognition. Smaller businesses may follow as the process becomes more streamlined and cost-effective.
Email marketer from MarketingOverCoffee Forum responds that the cost-benefit analysis of VMCs will drive adoption. If the ROI, in terms of increased engagement and brand recognition, outweighs the cost of obtaining and maintaining a VMC, more organizations will adopt them.
Email marketer from Gmass Blog writes that one factor affecting adoption is that BIMI requires senders to authenticate their emails using DMARC. If a business hasn't implemented DMARC or has it configured incorrectly, they won't be able to use BIMI, even if they have a VMC. So, adoption hinges on businesses getting their DMARC in order.
Marketer from Email Geeks expresses interest in seeing how VMCs will be adopted.
Email marketer from Mailhardener Blog shares that BIMI and VMCs can improve brand recognition and trust. Brands that adopt BIMI early are more likely to stand out in crowded inboxes and improve customer engagement.
Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that wider support among various email clients is crucial for BIMI adoption. As more email providers implement BIMI, the incentive for organizations to implement VMCs will increase.
What the experts say4Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains that she waded into the DMARC discussion and hopes this improves uptake and move to p=reject, otherwise the whole protocol is based on an inaccurate and overly simplistic model of email.
Expert from Spam Resource shares that VMC implementation is complex and the ROI may not be immediately clear for all businesses. The technical overhead and the cost of the VMC itself might deter smaller organizations from adopting it quickly.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that VMC adoption hinges on how much brands value consistent visual presentation in the inbox. If a brand sees value in always displaying their logo, even with varying email client support, they will be more likely to invest in VMCs.
Expert from Email Geeks shares that Gmail launched its BIMI pilot: <https://bimigroup.org/gmail-launches-bimi-pilot/>.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Entrust shares that VMCs, combined with BIMI, provide enhanced brand security, increased customer trust, and improved email engagement. They help prevent spoofing and phishing attacks by visually verifying the sender's identity.
Documentation from BIMI Group explains that a VMC is a requirement for displaying your logo in supporting email clients when using BIMI. It verifies brand ownership and enhances security.
Documentation from DigiCert answers that obtaining a VMC involves verifying your organization's trademarked logo with a Certificate Authority like DigiCert. This ensures the logo is authentic and legally owned by the organization.
Documentation from Sectigo shares that VMCs provide a visual indication to email recipients that the sender is legitimate and has taken steps to secure their email communications. This helps prevent phishing attacks and builds trust with customers.