Why is the wrong logo showing up in Yahoo with BIMI and how to fix it?

Summary

The wrong logo appearing in Yahoo Mail with BIMI is a multifaceted issue arising from several potential causes. Primarily, issues with the SVG file itself are a major culprit, including incorrect versioning, missing base profiles, or the absence of a title element. These errors can cause Yahoo to fall back to alternative logos, potentially pulling from its brand database or cached images. Improper BIMI DNS record placement, failing to locate the record at the root domain, can also disrupt logo display. Additionally, Yahoo might be displaying outdated logos due to caching issues. Obtaining a VMC significantly boosts the likelihood of correct logo display, as it verifies logo ownership and enhances trust. Ensuring the logo is accessible via HTTPS, not blocked by firewalls, and adhering to precise BIMI record syntax are crucial. Addressing SVG errors should lead to auto-correction in Yahoo. BIMI implementation is challenging, necessitating thorough SVG and DNS record validation using online tools to ensure compliance. Furthermore, contacting Yahoo support can help resolve caching or brand database issues.

Key findings

  • SVG Issues: Incorrect SVG version, missing base profile, or title element triggers fallback logos.
  • Yahoo Fallbacks: Yahoo may use logos from its brand directory or cached images due to BIMI setup errors.
  • DNS Placement: BIMI DNS record must be at the root domain to ensure proper display.
  • Caching Problems: Outdated logos might be displayed due to Yahoo's caching.
  • VMC Importance: VMC enhances trust and improves logo display rates.
  • Accessibility: Logo must be accessible via HTTPS and not blocked by firewalls.
  • Implementation Challenges: BIMI setup requires careful attention to SVG formatting and DNS configuration.

Key considerations

  • Validate SVG: Thoroughly validate SVG files for BIMI compliance using online tools.
  • Check DNS Record: Ensure BIMI DNS record is correctly placed at the root domain.
  • Contact Yahoo Support: Reach out to Yahoo support for cache clearing and brand database updates.
  • Consider VMC: Evaluate obtaining a VMC to enhance trust and logo display.
  • HTTPS & Firewalls: Verify logo URL is accessible via HTTPS and not blocked by firewalls.
  • Precise Syntax: Ensure BIMI record syntax is accurate, using a BIMI record generator if needed.
  • Online Validation: Use online tools to validate both the SVG and BIMI DNS record for compliance.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

The wrong logo displaying in Yahoo Mail with BIMI can stem from several factors. Issues with the SVG file itself, such as invalid formatting or missing elements, can cause Yahoo to fall back to alternative logos. Yahoo might pull logos from its brand database or cached images. Incorrect BIMI DNS record placement, particularly if not at the root domain, can also lead to display problems. Caching issues on Yahoo's end may display outdated logos. Obtaining a VMC increases the likelihood of correct logo display. Finally, ensuring the logo is accessible via HTTPS and not blocked by firewalls is crucial.

Key opinions

  • SVG Issues: Invalid SVG files (e.g., incorrect formatting, missing elements) can cause Yahoo to use fallback logos.
  • Yahoo Fallback: Yahoo might use logos from its brand directory or cached images if BIMI setup is flawed.
  • DNS Placement: Incorrect BIMI DNS record placement (not at the root domain) can prevent proper logo display.
  • Caching Problems: Yahoo may be displaying outdated logos due to caching issues on their end.
  • VMC Importance: Obtaining a VMC increases the likelihood of correct logo display in Yahoo Mail.
  • Accessibility: The logo must be publicly accessible via HTTPS and not blocked by firewalls.

Key considerations

  • Validate SVG: Ensure the SVG file meets all BIMI requirements using validation tools.
  • Check DNS Record: Verify that the BIMI DNS record is correctly placed at the root domain.
  • Contact Yahoo Support: Contact Yahoo support to update brand information or clear cached logos.
  • Consider VMC: Evaluate obtaining a VMC to enhance trust and improve logo display rates.
  • HTTPS and Firewalls: Confirm the logo URL is accessible via HTTPS and not blocked by any firewalls.
  • BIMI Testing Tools: Use BIMI testing tools to identify and resolve any BIMI non-compliance issues.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDrips explains that the BIMI DNS record should be placed at the root domain (e.g., `_bimi.example.com`) and not a subdomain. Incorrect placement can cause Yahoo and other providers to fail to fetch the correct logo.

December 2022 - EmailDrips
Marketer view

Email marketer from LinkedIn emphasizes that while not technically required, obtaining a VMC significantly increases the likelihood of the BIMI logo displaying correctly in Yahoo Mail. Yahoo places higher trust on domains with VMCs.

April 2021 - LinkedIn
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum suggests that if Yahoo is displaying an outdated logo, it might be pulling from its own brand database. Contacting Yahoo support to update the brand information associated with the domain could resolve the issue.

September 2022 - EmailGeeks Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares his experience, suggesting that Yahoo might fallback to using a logo from its brand directory or a previously cached image if the BIMI record or SVG has issues. Ensuring the BIMI record is correctly published at the root domain can help.

January 2025 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Yahoo is most likely falling back on their brand & logo service, and had a recent case where the logo came from Twitter.

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from OnlyDomains shares that caching issues on the email provider's side (like Yahoo) can sometimes cause the wrong logo to be displayed. They advise contacting the email provider's support to request a cache refresh for the domain's BIMI record.

January 2022 - OnlyDomains
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that Yahoo may be falling back because of issues with the SVG. Suggests emailing <mailto:mail-questions@yahooinc.com|mail-questions@yahooinc.com> to remove the link to the wrong image.

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from MXToolbox explains that common BIMI issues involve invalid SVG files, incorrect DNS record placement, or non-compliance with BIMI specifications. Using BIMI testing tools can help identify and resolve these problems.

October 2022 - MXToolbox
Marketer view

Email marketer from Proofpoint shares to ensure the logo is publicly accessible via HTTPS. If the URL in the BIMI record points to a non-HTTPS resource or is blocked by a firewall, the logo will not display.

May 2023 - Proofpoint
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow mentions that Yahoo may have the image cached on their end. Clearing your browser cache or waiting for Yahoo to update their cache can resolve the issue.

December 2021 - StackOverflow

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

The wrong logo showing up in Yahoo with BIMI can be due to issues with the SVG file not meeting BIMI's strict requirements, such as incorrect versioning (must be 1.2), missing base profile (tiny-ps), or the absence of a title element. Correcting these SVG issues is crucial for the logo to display correctly. Additionally, proper BIMI implementation, including DNS record configuration, is challenging, and validating both the SVG and DNS record with online tools is recommended for compliance.

Key opinions

  • SVG Validation Errors: Specific SVG errors, like version 1.1 instead of 1.2, missing base profile, or lack of a title element, prevent correct logo display.
  • SVG Fix Auto-Corrects: Addressing the identified SVG issues should resolve the logo display problem in Yahoo.
  • Implementation Challenges: BIMI implementation is complex due to stringent SVG and DNS record requirements.
  • Importance of Validation: Validating the SVG and DNS record using online tools is essential for BIMI compliance.

Key considerations

  • SVG Version: Ensure the SVG version is 1.2.
  • Base Profile: Include the 'tiny-ps' base profile in the SVG.
  • Title Element: Add a title element to the SVG.
  • Online Validation: Use online tools to validate both the SVG and BIMI DNS record for compliance.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks answers that fixing the SVG should auto-correct the logo at Yahoo.

March 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares BIMI SVG validation errors found: "The SVG version must be 1.2, not 1.1", "The SVG is missing a base profile. It must have the base profile tiny-ps and conform to its standards. <https://bimigroup.org/solving-svg-issues/>", "The SVG must have a title element"

April 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, explains that BIMI implementation can be challenging due to strict requirements for SVG formatting and DNS record configuration. She recommends validating the SVG file and DNS record using available online tools to ensure compliance and proper logo display in Yahoo Mail.

December 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

The wrong logo displaying in Yahoo Mail with BIMI often results from non-compliance with SVG and BIMI record requirements. The SVG must adhere to specific standards, including being a valid SVG Tiny-PS version, having a baseProfile of tiny-ps, and including a title element. The BIMI record's syntax must be precise to avoid errors. While not mandatory, a VMC significantly enhances trust and improves logo display rates by verifying the organization's ownership of the logo.

Key findings

  • SVG Compliance: SVG logos must meet strict BIMI requirements, including being a valid SVG Tiny-PS version, having a baseProfile of tiny-ps, and including a title element.
  • VMC Benefits: A VMC enhances trust and can improve logo display rates by verifying the organization's logo ownership.
  • BIMI Record Syntax: The BIMI record's syntax must be precise to avoid errors that prevent correct logo display.

Key considerations

  • Validate SVG: Ensure the SVG logo complies with all BIMI specifications for SVG Tiny-PS, baseProfile, and title element.
  • Consider VMC: Explore obtaining a VMC to increase trust and improve logo display, particularly with Yahoo Mail.
  • Use BIMI Generator: Utilize a BIMI record generator to minimize syntax errors and ensure correct formatting.
Technical article

Documentation from BIMI Group explains that the SVG logo must meet specific requirements, including being a valid SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG Tiny-PS) version, having a baseProfile of tiny-ps, and including a title element. Using an invalid SVG can cause display issues.

December 2022 - BIMI Group
Technical article

Documentation from DigiCert explains that while a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is not strictly mandatory for BIMI, it significantly enhances trust and can be a factor in whether a logo is displayed correctly by email providers like Yahoo. A VMC confirms the organization's ownership of the logo.

November 2023 - DigiCert
Technical article

Documentation from dmarcian explains that the BIMI record's syntax must be precise. Errors in the syntax, such as incorrect tag values or missing semicolons, can prevent the logo from displaying correctly. It recommends using a BIMI record generator to avoid errors.

November 2024 - dmarcian
Technical article

Documentation from Entrust explains about VMC benefits, stating that VMCs provide a higher level of trust and verification, and can improve logo display rates among email providers that support BIMI.

March 2022 - Entrust