Why are BIMI logos not showing in Gmail?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that if and how a logo displays is completely up to the MUA, mentioning that there seems to be a misconception that just because a BIMI logo has been published it must be displayed everywhere. If a brand publishes a logo they simply tell the mbp/mua that they have one and it can be used. Whether it ends up being shown is up to the application and can hinge one many factors.
Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that to get BIMI working ensure your VMC is valid and up to date as Gmail will do checks that the certificate is not expired or revoked. Expired certificates mean that Gmail will not show the logo.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Google hasn't been showing logos for a few days, but there's no comms from them.
Email marketer from Val Geisler's Blog explains that several factors can affect whether a BIMI logo shows up in Gmail. She noted that even if you've done everything correctly, there's no guarantee Gmail will display your logo. Common reasons include Gmail A/B testing different displays, temporary glitches, or Gmail's algorithms deciding not to show the logo based on user engagement.
Email Marketer from Gmass shares the most common reasons that BIMI isn't showing in Gmail. It can be that the SVG file is not properly formatted, the VMC certificate isn't issued by a recognised authority or a valid trademark authority or it could be due to a reputation issue.
Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that having trouble setting up BIMI could mean your logo has not been trademarked yet, or it is not in the right format. They recommend using SVG format and ensuring your logo is centered in the file.
Email marketer from Reddit shares some troubleshooting steps for BIMI not showing in Gmail. They suggests double-checking DNS records, ensuring the VMC is valid, and verifying that the DMARC policy is correctly set to 'quarantine' or 'reject'. They also recommend testing email deliverability using tools like Mail-Tester to identify any potential issues.
Email marketer from OnlyMyEmail Support shares that the display of BIMI logos in Gmail is ultimately controlled by Google's algorithms. Even with correct setup, Gmail may choose not to display the logo based on factors like sender reputation, content quality, and user engagement metrics. It's not a guaranteed display, but rather a privilege granted based on various signals.
Email marketer from EmailGeek explains that BIMI depends on having valid SPF, DKIM and DMARC records. If these are not correct, the BIMI logo will not show up. They recommend to check your DNS records to make sure all the authentication protocols are set up correctly.
Email marketer from LinkedIn explains that even with all the right configurations, Gmail's algorithms consider the sender's reputation. Senders with a poor reputation or low engagement rates are less likely to have their BIMI logos displayed.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that BIMI logos not showing up in Gmail is a known issue and that things should be restored soon.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Belgray, explains that implementing BIMI with a DMARC policy enforcing quarantine or reject provides additional benefits, including enhanced brand visibility in the inbox. Also BIMI and VMC gives a proof of who the email sender is and that they have met certain standards to secure the brand.
Expert from Email Geeks says that BIMI logos seem to be on pause at Gmail. Al mentions that in the past, Gmail has temporarily turned off BIMI logos while addressing exploits or potential exploits, referencing a blog post from spamresource.com.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that Gmail sometimes puts BIMI on pause to address potential exploits or security concerns. This happened in June 2023, where Gmail temporarily disabled BIMI while addressing an issue. The article suggests this is a measure to protect users from malicious actors abusing the BIMI system.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from BIMI Group explains that while BIMI adoption is growing, the display of logos is still at the discretion of each mailbox provider. Gmail actively participates in BIMI but may not always show the logo due to factors like algorithm changes, A/B testing, or internal policies. The BIMI standard provides the framework, but the ultimate decision rests with the email client.
Documentation from DigiCert explains that a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is required to display a BIMI logo in Gmail. The VMC verifies that the logo is a registered trademark, adding an extra layer of trust and security. Without a valid VMC from an authorized provider, Gmail will not display the BIMI logo, even if other BIMI records are correctly configured.
Documentation from Entrust highlights that VMC Certificates are essential to BIMI and that if this element is missing BIMI won't work. Entrust offers VMC certificates and says that without this validation Gmail won't display the BIMI logo, even if all the other steps are completed correctly.
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help explains that for BIMI logos to display in Gmail, senders must authenticate their emails with SPF or DKIM. Additionally, a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' must be in place. The logo itself needs to be a registered trademark and validated through a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).