What are best practices for BIMI logo usage, especially regarding multiple logos and selector support?

Summary

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) enhances email marketing by displaying a brand's logo in recipients' inboxes, increasing brand visibility, trust, and engagement. Successful implementation depends on several best practices: First, correctly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication protocols, as BIMI relies on DMARC and will not function without proper setup. Obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to validate logo ownership and ensure it is a registered trademark. For logo strategy, begin with a single, consistent logo for brand recognition, although different logos can be used for distinct brands within an organization. While technically multiple selectors can exist, most services currently only utilize the default._bimi selector. Be aware of implementation costs, which include the VMC and potentially trademark registration fees. Currently, BIMI is supported by Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Fastmail, with wider adoption anticipated. Beyond branding, BIMI also contributes to email security, domain reputation improvement, and better email marketing performance by preventing spoofing and ensuring recipients can trust the sender. Finally, BIMI records are published as DNS TXT records under the `default._bimi` subdomain, linking to the SVG logo file.

Key findings

  • DMARC Authentication is Critical: BIMI requires proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication.
  • Verified Mark Certificate (VMC): A VMC is needed to validate logo ownership and authenticity.
  • Trademark Requirement: The logo used with BIMI must be a registered trademark.
  • Logo Strategy: Start with a consistent logo; use different logos for different brands only.
  • Selector Support Limited: Most providers only support the default._bimi selector.
  • Enhances Brand Recognition: BIMI increases brand recognition in the inbox.
  • Improves Security: BIMI helps prevent email spoofing and phishing.
  • Impacts Domain Reputation: BIMI can improve domain reputation and deliverability.
  • Limited Support: Currently support for BIMI is limited to a few main providers.

Key considerations

  • Implement DMARC: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured *before* implementing BIMI.
  • Acquire a VMC: Obtain a Verified Mark Certificate from a trusted provider.
  • Register Trademark: Ensure the logo is a registered trademark in relevant jurisdictions.
  • Choose Logo Wisely: Carefully select the logo and ensure consistency across communications, especially if dealing with multiple brands.
  • DNS Configuration: Correctly configure the BIMI DNS TXT record, pointing to the SVG logo file.
  • Test Across Clients: Test BIMI implementation across various email clients to ensure proper display, knowing the limitations of client support.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) allows brands to display their logo in recipients' inboxes, increasing brand visibility, trust, and engagement. Key best practices include ensuring proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication, starting with a single, consistent logo for brand recognition, and using different logos for distinct brands under one organization if needed. While technically multiple selectors can be used, most services currently only look at the default._bimi selector. BIMI's implementation costs include obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to validate logo ownership and trademark registration. Currently, BIMI is supported by Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Fastmail, with broader adoption expected. Beyond brand awareness, BIMI also contributes to email security, domain reputation, and improved email marketing performance.

Key opinions

  • Brand Visibility: BIMI increases brand visibility and recognition by displaying logos in the inbox.
  • Authentication: Proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication is crucial for BIMI implementation.
  • Logo Consistency: Using a single, consistent logo is recommended for brand recognition, but different logos can be used for distinct brands.
  • Selector Support: Most services currently only support the default._bimi selector.
  • Implementation Costs: BIMI implementation includes the cost of a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) and trademark registration.
  • Security: BIMI improves email security and domain reputation by verifying sender identity.
  • Support: Current Support for BIMI is Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Fastmail but other clients are expected to adopt it.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Setup: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured before implementing BIMI.
  • Logo Choice: Carefully consider logo selection strategy, particularly if managing multiple brands.
  • VMC Acquisition: Budget for the cost of obtaining a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).
  • Trademark: Ensure the selected logo is a registered trademark.
  • Testing: Test BIMI implementation across various email clients to ensure proper display.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet suggests that if you have multiple brands under one organization, you can use different logos for each brand with BIMI. However, for a single brand, using one consistent logo is generally recommended for brand recognition.

June 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks states that they are not aware of any service looking at selectors right now, and that only three companies have publicly expressed support for BIMI: Verizon Media, Google and Fastmail.

January 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares that BIMI is supported by Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Fastmail. Other email clients and providers are expected to adopt BIMI in the future.

June 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Skysend describes how BIMI can help to improve your domain reputation, as email providers use BIMI as one of the signals to determine if you are a trusted sender. In turn, improving the odds of landing emails in the inbox and not the spam folder.

August 2024 - Skysend
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that one of the BIMI costs is for the VMC and these can have different prices, depending on who you use, to get the BIMI certification. You also need to make sure you own the trademark to the logo.

October 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that BIMI is a huge opportunity for brand recognition and can increase brand awareness. This is because you are more easily recognised in the inbox.

October 2024 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests starting simply with BIMI logo usage. They bring up the scenario of Xfinity advertising the Olympics on NBC or Peacock, and question which logo should be used.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass mentions that implementing BIMI is a way to improve email security and build trust with customers. BIMI helps to guarantee to recipients that the email has come from the right source, because its identity has been verified.

March 2025 - Gmass
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that technically you could have different logos under different selectors, but doesn’t think anyone is looking at anything but default._bimi right now.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from ZeroBounce describes that BIMI helps improve brand recognition, increases engagement rates, and provides a more professional and trustworthy appearance in the inbox, thus improving email marketing performance.

August 2021 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view

Email marketer from OnlyMyEmail explains that before implementing BIMI, ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured for your domain. This establishes email authentication and is a prerequisite for BIMI.

May 2021 - OnlyMyEmail
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that Fastmail is looking at selectors, but he hasn't seen anyone using one yet.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Red Sift states that implementing BIMI allows brands to display their logo in recipients' inboxes, boosting brand visibility and trust. It requires SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication protocols to be in place.

January 2024 - Red Sift

What the experts say
1Expert opinion

BIMI's functionality is reliant on properly configured DMARC authentication. This means SPF, DKIM, and DMARC must all be correctly implemented and passing for the BIMI logo to display.

Key opinions

  • DMARC Dependence: BIMI is entirely dependent on proper DMARC authentication.
  • Authentication Failure: If SPF, DKIM, or DMARC fail, the BIMI logo will not be displayed.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Verification: Prior to implementing BIMI, thoroughly verify the proper implementation and functionality of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise (Steve Jones) explains that BIMI depends on DMARC authentication. Therefore the SPF, DKIM, and DMARC must all be implemented correctly and passing, or else your logo won't show and it won't work.

September 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

BIMI requires a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) and a registered trademark for the logo to ensure its validity and ownership, helping to prevent email spoofing and phishing attacks while enhancing brand recognition across supporting email clients. BIMI records are published as DNS TXT records under the `default._bimi` subdomain, containing the URL to the SVG logo file.

Key findings

  • VMC Requirement: BIMI mandates a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for logo validation and ownership verification.
  • Trademark Requirement: The logo used with BIMI must be a registered trademark.
  • Spoofing Prevention: BIMI and VMCs help prevent email spoofing and phishing attacks.
  • DNS Record: BIMI records are published as DNS TXT records under the default._bimi subdomain.
  • Logo Format: The BIMI DNS record contains the URL of your SVG logo file.

Key considerations

  • VMC Acquisition: Acquire a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) from a trusted provider.
  • Trademark Registration: Ensure the logo is a registered trademark in relevant jurisdictions.
  • DNS Record Configuration: Correctly configure the BIMI DNS TXT record under the default._bimi subdomain, pointing to the SVG logo file.
  • SVG Format: Ensure the logo is in SVG format and accessible via a public URL.
Technical article

Documentation from DigiCert shares that a VMC ensures your logo displays consistently across supporting email clients, enhancing brand recognition and trust. It also reduces the likelihood of spoofing and phishing attacks.

June 2021 - DigiCert
Technical article

Documentation from Let's Encrypt answers that BIMI records are published as DNS TXT records under the `default._bimi` subdomain of your sending domain. The record contains the URL of your SVG logo file.

May 2022 - community.letsencrypt.org
Technical article

Documentation from bimigroup.org explains that BIMI requires a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to ensure the logo is valid and the organization owns the logo. The logo must also be a registered trademark.

December 2022 - bimigroup.org
Technical article

Documentation from Entrust shares that BIMI, combined with VMCs, helps prevent email spoofing by ensuring that only authorized senders can display their logos in email inboxes.

February 2025 - Entrust