Is VMC mandatory for BIMI implementation?
Summary
What email marketers say9Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Email Geeks answers that Google absolutely requires it, they were the first provider to require it and the pioneers of the VMC pilot.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that only Yahoo and Fastmail don't require it.
Email marketer from OnlyBIMI responds that while technically BIMI can be implemented without a VMC, it's necessary for displaying a logo in major email clients like Google. It also authenticates brand ownership of the logo.
Email marketer from LinkedIn explains that a VMC isn't technically required for BIMI in all cases, but email providers such as Google and Apple require it to display your logo alongside your emails, so it's usually required.
Email marketer from Valimail.com shares that while BIMI itself doesn't strictly mandate a VMC, major email providers like Google require it to display the logo. Therefore, if the goal is to have the logo displayed in Gmail inboxes, a VMC is necessary.
Email marketer from Stripo.email explains that to get BIMI and Gmail's blue verified checkmark, you need a VMC. Without it, Gmail will not display your logo, making the VMC a practical necessity for full BIMI implementation in Gmail.
Email marketer from EmailGeek Forums shares that though BIMI technically works without a VMC, major providers like Gmail won't show the logo without it. Therefore, for most practical purposes, a VMC is mandatory for BIMI.
Email marketer from Reddit states that a VMC is effectively mandatory for BIMI if you want your logo to display in Gmail and other major email providers that require it. Without a VMC, you won't get the visual benefits of BIMI with these providers.
Email marketer from Twitter answers that while the BIMI record itself doesn't inherently demand a VMC, the ecosystems where you intend to use it (Gmail, etc.) might, effectively making a VMC a must-have in most scenarios.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains that some mailbox providers require VMC for BIMI (Google, Apple) so it’s probably something you want to get.
Expert from Word to the Wise answers that the VMC is not technically mandated, but Google & other providers require it, so it is practically mandatory for full BIMI implementation.
Expert from SpamResource explains that while BIMI can technically function without a VMC, a VMC is effectively required by major mailbox providers like Google and Apple to display your logo, therefore it is mandatory for full BIMI implementation across those platforms.
What the documentation says3Technical articles
Documentation from Entrust.com explains that a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is required by some mailbox providers, such as Google and Apple, to display your logo in the inbox, thus making it effectively mandatory for full BIMI adoption with these providers.
Documentation from DigiCert.com responds that a VMC is essential for BIMI to function correctly with certain providers. It validates the organization's ownership of the logo and ensures that it meets the provider's requirements, which is mandatory for displaying the logo in inboxes.
Documentation from Red Sift Knowledge Base answers that Google requires a VMC for BIMI implementation, highlighting its role as a pioneer in mandating VMCs for logo display in their email service.