Why are BIMI logos not showing in Gmail?

Summary

BIMI logos may not appear in Gmail due to various factors, despite correct configuration. Gmail's algorithms control logo display, and issues may arise from SPF, DKIM, or DMARC misconfigurations, invalid VMC certificates, improper logo formatting, or sender reputation issues. Gmail sometimes pauses BIMI to address security concerns. A DMARC policy enforcing 'quarantine' or 'reject' is crucial, and the sender must meet specific standards through BIMI and VMC validation to be recognized as trustworthy.

Key findings

  • Gmail Control: Gmail's algorithms ultimately decide whether to display BIMI logos.
  • Authentication is Key: Valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are crucial for BIMI; misconfiguration prevents display.
  • VMC Requirement: A valid and up-to-date Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is essential.
  • Logo Formatting: Correct SVG format and proper centering are necessary.
  • Sender Reputation: Gmail considers sender reputation; low reputation decreases the likelihood of logo display.
  • Temporary Pauses: Gmail may temporarily pause BIMI to address security concerns.
  • DMARC Enforcement: Implementing a DMARC policy (quarantine/reject) is essential.

Key considerations

  • DNS Record Validation: Double-check and validate SPF, DKIM, and DMARC DNS records.
  • VMC Validity: Ensure the VMC is valid, issued by a recognized authority, and not expired.
  • Logo Formatting: Verify the logo is in the correct SVG format, properly sized, and centered.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor and improve sender reputation.
  • Security Awareness: Be aware that Gmail may temporarily disable BIMI due to exploits.
  • DMARC Configuration: Ensure the DMARC policy is correctly configured.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

BIMI logos may not display in Gmail due to a variety of factors, even if all configurations appear correct. These factors range from temporary glitches or A/B testing on Gmail's end to issues with sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), VMC certificate validity, logo formatting (SVG), and sender reputation. Gmail's algorithms ultimately control the display, making it a privilege contingent on various signals, not a guaranteed outcome.

Key opinions

  • Gmail Control: Gmail's algorithms ultimately decide whether to display BIMI logos, irrespective of correct configuration.
  • Authentication: Valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are crucial for BIMI to function. Incorrect setup prevents logo display.
  • VMC Validity: A valid and up-to-date Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is essential, as Gmail checks for expiration or revocation.
  • Logo Format: The logo must be in the correct SVG format and properly centered.
  • Sender Reputation: Gmail considers sender reputation; low reputation or engagement decreases the likelihood of logo display.
  • Temporary Issues: Gmail might temporarily pause BIMI display for testing, due to glitches, or to address security concerns.

Key considerations

  • DNS Records: Double-check and validate SPF, DKIM, and DMARC DNS records.
  • VMC Certificate: Ensure the VMC is valid, issued by a recognized authority, and not expired.
  • Logo Formatting: Verify the logo is in the correct SVG format, properly sized, and centered.
  • Sender Reputation: Monitor and improve sender reputation and engagement metrics.
  • Troubleshooting Tools: Use email deliverability testing tools (e.g., Mail-Tester) to identify underlying issues.
  • Gmail Algorithm: Understand that even with perfect setup, Gmail's algorithms may still prevent logo display.
Marketer view

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.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

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.

March 2024 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Google hasn't been showing logos for a few days, but there's no comms from them.

April 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

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.

March 2024 - Val Geisler's Blog
Marketer view

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.

June 2023 - Gmass
Marketer view

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.

January 2023 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

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.

October 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

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.

December 2024 - OnlyMyEmail
Marketer view

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.

May 2023 - EmailGeek
Marketer view

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.

August 2023 - LinkedIn
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that BIMI logos not showing up in Gmail is a known issue and that things should be restored soon.

August 2024 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

BIMI logos might not show in Gmail due to a few key reasons. First, Gmail sometimes pauses BIMI to address security exploits, as happened in June 2023. Second, implementing BIMI with a DMARC policy enforcing 'quarantine' or 'reject' is critical, as this enhances brand visibility. In addition, BIMI and the VMC gives assurances that the sender has met certain standards to be recognised as a trusted sender.

Key opinions

  • Gmail Pauses: Gmail temporarily disables BIMI to address security vulnerabilities.
  • DMARC Policy: Implementing BIMI with a DMARC policy ('quarantine' or 'reject') is crucial for enhanced brand visibility in Gmail.
  • Sender Assurance: BIMI and VMC validation gives confirmation that the sender has met a standard and can be trusted

Key considerations

  • Security Exploits: Be aware that Gmail may temporarily disable BIMI due to exploits.
  • DMARC Setup: Ensure DMARC policy is set to 'quarantine' or 'reject' for optimal BIMI benefits.
  • VMC standard: Ensure you meet the standard of BIMI and VMC
Expert view

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.

December 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

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.

March 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view

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.

September 2022 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

BIMI logos require specific authentication protocols and logo verification to display in Gmail. Senders must authenticate emails with SPF or DKIM and enforce a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'. A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is mandatory, validating the logo as a registered trademark and providing added security. While BIMI provides the framework, the final decision rests with Gmail, and logo display isn't guaranteed.

Key findings

  • Authentication Required: SPF or DKIM email authentication is mandatory for BIMI logo display in Gmail.
  • DMARC Enforcement: A DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' must be in place.
  • VMC is Essential: A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is a prerequisite for BIMI logo display.
  • Trademark Verification: The logo must be a registered trademark, validated through a VMC.
  • Gmail Discretion: Gmail ultimately decides whether to display BIMI logos, regardless of correct setup.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Setup: Ensure SPF or DKIM is correctly configured for your domain.
  • DMARC Policy: Implement a DMARC policy with 'quarantine' or 'reject' enforcement.
  • VMC Acquisition: Obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) from an authorized provider.
  • Trademark Registration: Register your logo as a trademark to qualify for a VMC.
  • Display Guarantee: Understand that BIMI adoption doesn't guarantee logo display in Gmail.
Technical article

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.

March 2023 - BIMI Group
Technical article

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.

June 2021 - DigiCert
Technical article

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.

March 2023 - Entrust
Technical article

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).

October 2021 - Google Workspace Admin Help