How to Set Up a BIMI Record for Your Domain

Q: Do I need a VMC certificate for BIMI?

A VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is required by some email providers like Gmail to display your logo. Other providers like Apple Mail and Yahoo may display BIMI logos without a VMC. If you want maximum coverage, a VMC is recommended but not strictly required to publish a BIMI record.

Q: What DMARC policy is required for BIMI?

BIMI requires a DMARC policy of p=quarantine or p=reject. A p=none policy is not sufficient. Your DMARC record must also not use a pct tag less than 100, as the policy must apply to all messages.

Q: What format does the BIMI logo need to be?

The BIMI logo must be in SVG Tiny 1.2 format (also called SVG Tiny PS for VMC). The image must be square, use a solid background or no background, and should not include text. The SVG file must be hosted on an HTTPS URL that is publicly accessible.

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) allows you to display your brand logo next to your emails in supported inbox providers like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail. When recipients see your verified logo, it builds trust and brand recognition. This guide walks you through every step of setting up BIMI for your domain.

Already have a BIMI record?

Use our free BIMI Checker to validate your record, verify your SVG logo, and check DMARC compliance.

Step 1: Check DMARC Compliance

BIMI requires that your domain has a DMARC record with a policy of p=quarantine or p=reject. A p=none policy is not sufficient — email providers will not display your BIMI logo unless your DMARC policy actively protects against spoofing.

Your DMARC record must also apply to 100% of messages. If you are using the pct tag, it must be set to 100 or omitted entirely (the default is 100%). Use our DMARC Checker to verify your current DMARC configuration before proceeding.

Step 2: Design Your SVG Logo

Your BIMI logo must meet specific requirements:

Format: SVG Tiny 1.2 (also called SVG Tiny PS if you are obtaining a VMC).
Shape: Square aspect ratio. The logo should be centered and fill the canvas.
Background: Use a solid color background or transparent. Avoid complex patterns.
Content: Use your brand logo without text. The image will be displayed at small sizes (as small as 32x32 pixels), so simplicity is key.
File size: Keep it under 32 KB for optimal loading.

Host the SVG file on your web server at an HTTPS URL, for example: https://yourdomain.com/bimi/logo.svg. The URL must be publicly accessible and serve the file with the correct image/svg+xml content type.

Step 3: Get a VMC Certificate (Optional)

A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is a certificate issued by a trusted authority (DigiCert or Entrust) that verifies you are the owner of the logo. Gmail requires a VMC to display BIMI logos, while other providers like Yahoo and Apple Mail may display logos without one.

To obtain a VMC:

Your logo must be a registered trademark in an approved jurisdiction.
Apply through DigiCert or Entrust with your trademark documentation.
Complete the validation process (typically takes 1-4 weeks).
Receive your VMC certificate as a PEM file.
Host the PEM file at a public HTTPS URL.

If you do not have a registered trademark or do not need Gmail coverage initially, you can skip the VMC and still benefit from BIMI in other email clients.

Step 4: Create the DNS TXT Record

Publish a TXT record at default._bimi.yourdomain.com with the following format:

v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/bimi/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/bimi/vmc.pem

The tags are:

v=BIMI1 — Version identifier (required).
l= — URL to your SVG logo (required).
a= — URL to your VMC certificate PEM file (optional, leave empty if no VMC: a=).

If you do not have a VMC, your record would look like:

v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/bimi/logo.svg; a=

Step 5: Test with BIMI Checker

After publishing your DNS record and hosting your logo, use the Email Armory BIMI Checker to verify everything is configured correctly. The checker will validate:

Your BIMI TXT record exists and is properly formatted.
Your SVG logo is accessible and meets the format requirements.
Your DMARC policy is at quarantine or reject.
Your VMC certificate is valid (if provided).

Step 6: Monitor and Maintain

After deployment, keep these maintenance tasks in mind:

Certificate renewal: VMC certificates expire (typically annually). Set a reminder to renew before expiration.
Logo updates: If you rebrand, update both the SVG file and the VMC (if applicable).
DMARC monitoring: Ensure your DMARC policy stays at quarantine or reject. Downgrading to p=none will disable BIMI.
Regular testing: Periodically re-check your BIMI record with the BIMI Checker to catch any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a VMC certificate for BIMI?

A VMC is required by some email providers like Gmail to display your logo. Other providers like Apple Mail and Yahoo may display BIMI logos without a VMC. If you want maximum coverage, a VMC is recommended but not strictly required to publish a BIMI record.

What DMARC policy is required for BIMI?

BIMI requires a DMARC policy of p=quarantine or p=reject. A p=none policy is not sufficient. Your DMARC record must also not use a pct tag less than 100, as the policy must apply to all messages.

What format does the BIMI logo need to be?

The BIMI logo must be in SVG Tiny 1.2 format. The image must be square, use a solid background or no background, and should not include text. The SVG file must be hosted on an HTTPS URL that is publicly accessible.

Related Guides