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Why did BIMI disappear from Gmail and when will it be restored?

11 Marketer opinions3 Expert opinions3 Technical articles1 Resource

Summary

BIMI disappeared from Gmail due to a combination of factors. A bug in Gmail's handling of DKIM signatures, particularly with multiple signatures, triggered a temporary pause in BIMI checking. While Gmail addressed the issue, several other potential causes exist, including incorrect SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations, DNS misconfigurations, invalid SSL certificates for the SVG logo, and temporary glitches on Google's end. Many reported a gradual restoration of BIMI, particularly for double-signed emails. Troubleshooting involves checking DMARC reports, DNS records, and the SSL certificate.

Key findings

  • DKIM Bug: Gmail had a bug in DKIM signature handling, especially with multiple signatures, leading to BIMI issues.
  • Temporary Pause: Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checking, causing logos to disappear.
  • Authentication Matters: Valid SPF, DKIM, and a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' are required for BIMI.
  • DNS Configuration: Correct BIMI DNS record configuration is crucial.
  • SSL Certificate: The SSL certificate for the SVG logo needs to be valid.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Validation: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured.
  • DNS Record Verification: Verify the BIMI DNS record for syntax and value accuracy.
  • SSL Certificate Check: Confirm that the SSL certificate for the SVG logo is valid and not expired.
  • Monitor for Updates: Be aware that Gmail updates or temporary glitches may affect BIMI display, requiring monitoring.
  • Check Reports: Regularly check DMARC reports and DNS records for potential issues.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

BIMI disappeared from Gmail due to a bug affecting the handling of DKIM signatures, particularly those with multiple signatures. Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checks, causing the BIMI logo to disappear for some senders. Double-signed emails saw a more immediate impact. Google acknowledged the issue and worked on a fix, with some users reporting a gradual restoration of BIMI. Several factors can impact BIMI display including incorrect DNS configurations, DMARC policy settings, SSL certificate issues with the SVG logo, and temporary glitches on Google's side. Checking DMARC reports and DNS records is recommended for troubleshooting.

Key opinions

  • DKIM Bug: A bug in Gmail's handling of DKIM signatures, especially with multiple signatures, caused BIMI to disappear.
  • Temporary Pause: Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checks, resulting in the BIMI logo disappearing for some senders.
  • Double DKIM Impact: Emails with double DKIM signatures were notably affected, and the restoration of BIMI seemed to start with these.
  • Google's Fix: Google acknowledged the issue and worked on a fix, leading to a gradual restoration of BIMI.

Key considerations

  • DNS Configuration: Ensure that the BIMI DNS record is correctly configured and published.
  • DMARC Settings: Verify DMARC policy settings, as they can impact BIMI display.
  • SSL Certificate: Check the SSL certificate for the SVG asset used in the BIMI record; an invalid or expired certificate can prevent BIMI from displaying.
  • Sporadic Issues: Be aware that BIMI issues can sometimes be sporadic and resolve themselves after a short period, but monitoring is still important.
  • Troubleshooting: If BIMI disappears, check DMARC reports and DNS records for any misconfigurations.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit reports seeing sporadic BIMI issues and suggests checking DMARC reports and DNS records for any misconfigurations. They also indicate that sometimes the issue resolves itself after a short period.

September 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from OnlyMyEmail shares that mailboxes may pause BIMI checks to deal with issues, this can be temporary.

April 2022 - OnlyMyEmail
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks confirms experiencing the same issue, with no BIMI displayed on any messages.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailhardener explains that a common reason for BIMI failure is an incorrectly configured DNS record. Ensure your DNS record is published correctly.

June 2023 - Mailhardener
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Gmail stepped back to fix the issue. Google reopened the bug request.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Gmail stepped back to fix something. Mentions bug report.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks observes that double-signed emails are gradually regaining their BIMI/Blue Check status.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Twitter explains that BIMI disappeared from Gmail due to a bug related to the handling of DKIM signatures, specifically affecting messages with multiple DKIM signatures. Google was made aware of the issue and a fix was being implemented.

July 2024 - Twitter
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks mentions BIMI being present only on double DKIM signed emails.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends verifying the SSL certificate for the SVG asset used in the BIMI record. An invalid or expired certificate can prevent BIMI from displaying correctly.

October 2023 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that Gmail paused BIMI checking temporarily on new inbound messages. Some senders, previously showing BIMI logos, no longer displayed them.

April 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checking, causing BIMI logos to disappear from some messages. This issue affected both single and double DKIM signed emails. Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM) and a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject' are crucial for BIMI to function correctly; misconfigurations or email client issues can also cause BIMI to fail.

Key opinions

  • Temporary Pause: Gmail temporarily paused BIMI checking on inbound messages.
  • Authentication Requirements: Correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration are essential for BIMI to work.
  • Configuration Errors: Incorrect email authentication settings can lead to BIMI failure.

Key considerations

  • Authentication Checks: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured to meet BIMI requirements.
  • Gmail's Status: Be aware that Gmail may temporarily pause BIMI checking during updates or issue resolution.
  • Client Issues: The email client itself may have issues preventing the display of BIMI.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks agrees that Gmail stepped back to fix something, noting that BIMI was paused for both single and double signers, and some senders were affected differently.

July 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that to use BIMI, a sender must authenticate their email with SPF and DKIM, and have a DMARC policy of 'quarantine' or 'reject'. If any of these configurations are incorrect, BIMI will fail. Also if the email clients have any issues then BIMI will not be displayed.

October 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Gmail has paused BIMI checking on new inbound messages temporarily, noting instances where senders previously displaying a BIMI logo and checkmark no longer do so.

July 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

BIMI's functionality depends heavily on proper email authentication. Correct implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential, as is a correctly configured BIMI DNS record. Gmail's display of BIMI can be influenced by DMARC policy settings, DNS issues, its own algorithms, and temporary glitches or updates.

Key findings

  • Authentication is Key: BIMI requires valid SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations.
  • DNS Configuration Critical: Incorrect BIMI DNS record configuration will cause BIMI to fail.
  • Multiple Influences: Gmail's BIMI display is affected by DMARC policy, DNS configuration, Gmail's internal algorithms, glitches, and updates.

Key considerations

  • Validate Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured according to BIMI standards.
  • Check DNS Records: Verify the syntax and values of the BIMI DNS record to prevent errors.
  • Monitor for Changes: Be aware that Gmail updates or temporary glitches can impact BIMI visibility, requiring ongoing monitoring and possible adjustments.
Technical article

Documentation from dmarc.org clarifies that incorrect BIMI DNS record configuration can cause BIMI to fail. They emphasize the importance of validating the syntax and values of the BIMI record.

October 2021 - dmarc.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help details that BIMI display can be affected by various factors, including DMARC policy settings, DNS configuration issues, and Gmail's internal algorithms. Temporary glitches or updates on Google's end can also impact BIMI visibility.

January 2025 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from BIMI Group explains that BIMI requires proper implementation of email authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC). If these are not correctly configured, BIMI will not display. Any changes to these authentication methods could cause BIMI to stop working.

April 2023 - BIMI Group

Related resources
1Resource

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