Which mailbox providers support BIMI through Cloudmark, and how is it implemented?

Summary

Cloudmark supports BIMI by stamping headers, allowing compatible MUAs (like Apple Mail on iOS/macOS displaying iCloud and Fastmail logos) to display brand logos if the MUA supports it. CMGW also validates BIMI, passing it onto the MUA for digestion. DMARC is a prerequisite for BIMI. Apple Mail (client) differs from iCloud (ESP) in BIMI implementation, with the client reading headers and the ESP ensuring proper headers. Actual logo display is MUA dependent. A separate note from Validity.com states, the decision to display the logo is controlled at the MUA level. Key implementation elements for BIMI: email server, trademarked logo, DMARC, SVG logo, and DNS zone editor. Proofpoint owns Cloudmark, but implementations are separate. BIMI is crucial for enhancing email security, deliverability and brand recognition. SpamResource discusses Cloudmark using reputation, content and behavioral analysis. Lastly, a list of supporting mailbox providers are documented by BIMI Group.

Key findings

  • Cloudmark's Role: Stamps headers, allows MUAs to read and display logos if supported; CMGW validates BIMI.
  • MUA Dependency: Logo display is contingent on MUA support.
  • Apple Ecosystem: Apple Mail (client) displays logos; iCloud (ESP) ensures proper headers.
  • DMARC Requirement: DMARC is a prerequisite for BIMI implementation.
  • Implementation Elements: Email server, trademark, DMARC, SVG logo, DNS zone editor are needed for BIMI.
  • BIMI Benefits: Enhances email security, improves deliverability, and builds brand recognition.
  • Cloudmark Filtering Analysis: Uses reputation, content and behavioral analysis techniques.

Key considerations

  • MUA Compatibility: Ensure recipient's MUA supports BIMI.
  • Technical Implementation: Requires various technical elements and configuration.
  • DMARC Setup: DMARC must be correctly configured before implementing BIMI.
  • Vendor Assistance: Utilize email vendors that offer BIMI setup assistance.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Cloudmark supports BIMI by stamping headers that supporting Mail User Agents (MUAs), like Apple Mail, can read to display brand logos. The actual display depends on the MUA's support and enablement of the feature. Cloudmark acts as the MTA (Mail Transfer Agent), while the MUA digests the BIMI headers. Some MUAs like Apple Mail on iOS and macOS display BIMI logos for iCloud and Fastmail. Implementing BIMI requires elements such as an email server, a registered trademark, DMARC verification, a logo in SVG format, and a DNS zone editor. BIMI increases security and brand recognition and requires a valid DMARC record.

Key opinions

  • Cloudmark's Role: Cloudmark validates BIMI and stamps headers.
  • MUA Dependency: The MUA must support and enable BIMI for the logo to display.
  • Apple Mail Support: Apple Mail on iOS and macOS can display BIMI logos for iCloud and Fastmail.
  • BIMI requirements: BIMI requires elements such as an email server, a registered trademark, DMARC verification, a logo in SVG format, and a DNS zone editor
  • DMARC dependency: BIMI needs a valid DMARC record and passing DMARC authentication to get BIMI logo shown.

Key considerations

  • MUA Support: Ensure the recipient's email client (MUA) supports BIMI for the logo to display.
  • Implementation Complexity: Implementing BIMI involves several technical requirements, including DMARC setup, a trademarked logo, and specific DNS records.
  • Vendor Selection: If considering BIMI, choose an email vendor who offers BIMI setup assistance.
  • Proofpoint relationship: Implementations are separate to Proofpoint
Marketer view

Email marketer from Entrust talks about BIMI needing a valid DMARC record and passing DMARC authentication to get BIMI logo shown.

March 2024 - Entrust.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit mentions that Apple Mail on iOS and macOS can display BIMI logos for iCloud and Fastmail, indicating that Apple Mail is a MUA that supports BIMI.

November 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow shares that while Cloudmark can validate BIMI, the actual display depends on the Mail User Agent (MUA) supporting and enabling the feature. Cloudmark acts as the MTA, and the MUA needs to digest the BIMI headers.

February 2025 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that Apple Mail on both iOS and macOS are displaying logos for both iCloud and Fastmail.

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Cloudmark will stamp headers that MUAs like Apple Mail can then read and display the logo. It's up to the email client to display the logo.

April 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks states CMGW supports validating BIMI and explains it is up to the individual mailbox provider to be on a version that has the feature, and enable it. Because CMGW is only the MTA, there needs to be an MUA that will digest the BIMI headers added by the MTA.

January 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that Proofpoint owns Cloudmark, which could affect the division of labor in spam filtering and BIMI implementation. However, implementations are separate.

January 2024 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailVendorSelection states that BIMI increases security of your domain name and increase the display rate by email clients of you brand logos. Email clients look for the BIMI record, so it is important to use an Email vendor who offers BIMI setup.

September 2023 - EmailVendorSelection.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks clarifies the difference between Apple Mail as a client and iCloud as an ESP. Apple Mail as a client reads the headers for BIMI information. Apple as an ESP ensures emails to iCloud addresses have the necessary BIMI headers.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks states the reason why there isn't a checkmark for Apple on the BIMI logo display list is because they do not display a logo in the message list.

January 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Deliverability Blog explains that the MTA (Mail Transfer Agent) validates BIMI, and the MUA (Mail User Agent) digests the headers. A supported MUA is crucial for displaying the logo.

April 2023 - Email Deliverability Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailhardener states to be able to implement BIMI, one needs an email server, a registered trademark, DMARC verification, a logo in SVG format, and a DNS zone editor.

August 2021 - Mailhardener.com

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Based on testing, Apple Mail displays BIMI logos. Cloudmark uses reputation, content, and behavioral analysis for email filtering and authentication. DMARC and BIMI ensure only legitimate emails use your domain, with DMARC as the foundation for BIMI-enabled brand logo display.

Key opinions

  • Apple Mail Support: Apple Mail displays BIMI logos.
  • Cloudmark Filtering: Cloudmark uses reputation, content, and behavior analysis for spam filtering and authentication.
  • DMARC and BIMI Purpose: DMARC and BIMI are used to protect domain names and ensure legitimate email is sent.
  • BIMI requirements: DMARC must be set up before BIMI can enable brand logo display.

Key considerations

  • Email authentication setup: DMARC must be used before BIMI is effective.
  • Filtering and authentication setup: Cloudmark filtering uses reputation, content, and behavioral analysis to authenticate emails.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains Cloudmark's comprehensive approach to email filtering and authentication. Cloudmark uses techniques like reputation analysis, content analysis, and behavioral analysis to protect their clients from phishing and spam.

June 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource states that DMARC and BIMI ensures that only legitimate emails are being sent using your domain name. Using DMARC is the first step, then creating a BIMI record can help your brand logo be displayed in the email client's inbox.

August 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that Apple Mail does display BIMI logos, based on their own testing.

December 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Cloudmark supports BIMI by enabling MUAs to display domain-based logos for supporting messages, a decision controlled at the MUA level. Cloudmark's security platform enables MUAs to display brand logos. Apple differentiates between Apple Mail (client) and iCloud (ESP) in BIMI implementation. The BIMI Group provides a list of supporting mailbox providers. BIMI is important for email protection, deliverability, and brand recognition.

Key findings

  • Cloudmark BIMI Support: Cloudmark enables MUAs to display domain-based logos.
  • MUA Control: Logo display decision is controlled by the MUA.
  • Apple's Implementation: Apple distinguishes between Apple Mail (client) and iCloud (ESP) for BIMI.
  • BIMI Benefits: BIMI improves email protection, deliverability, and brand recognition.
  • BIMI supporting providers: A list of BIMI supporting providers can be found at the BIMI Group website.

Key considerations

  • MUA Capabilities: Verify the recipient's MUA supports BIMI for logo display.
  • Apple Ecosystem: Understand the distinction between Apple Mail and iCloud in BIMI implementation.
  • BIMI goal: Ensure BIMI is protecting emails, improving email deliverability and building brand recognition.
Technical article

Documentation from BIMI Group shares a list of Mailbox Providers that support BIMI and display the logo on their site.

November 2021 - BimiGroup.org
Technical article

Email marketer from Agari talks about the importance of BIMI to protect your emails, improve email deliverability and build brand recognition.

April 2022 - Agari.com
Technical article

Documentation from Cloudmark.com indicates BIMI support in their security platform, stating that if BIMI is supported, the MUA can display a brand logo for emails sent from an enterprise.

July 2024 - Cloudmark.com
Technical article

Documentation from developer.apple.com provides information on BIMI implementation with Apple products. It highlights the separation of Apple Mail (client) and iCloud (ESP), where Apple Mail reads headers and iCloud ensures proper BIMI headers for outgoing mail.

April 2022 - developer.apple.com
Technical article

Documentation from Validity.com explains that Cloudmark supports BIMI by allowing Mail User Agents (MUAs) to display a domain-based logo if the incoming email message supports BIMI. The decision to display the logo is controlled at the MUA level.

January 2025 - Validity.com