How to Get My Brand Logo in Gmail: Understanding the New BIMI Requirement for Authentication

The BIMI Revolution: Brand Logos in Email Inboxes

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is the new email authentication standard that allows verified brands to display their logos directly in supported email clients, starting with Gmail. This creates immediate brand recognition and builds trust with your subscribers.

Game Changer: BIMI transforms how recipients interact with your emails. Instead of just seeing your name in the inbox, they see your authentic brand logo, significantly increasing engagement and trust.

However, BIMI requires a solid foundation of email authentication and a verified trademark. This guide walks you through the complete BIMI implementation process and how to test your setup with Mail-Score.com's BIMI testing capabilities.

What is BIMI and How Does It Work?

BIMI Explained

BIMI is an email specification that allows organizations to display their brand logo in supporting email clients. It builds upon existing email authentication protocols (DMARC) to verify brand ownership and authenticity.

The BIMI Value Proposition

Displaying your logo creates instant brand recognition, increases email engagement, builds trust with recipients, and helps combat phishing by making legitimate emails easily identifiable.

How BIMI Works in Practice:

Email is received by a BIMI-supporting client (like Gmail)
Client checks for BIMI DNS record and validates DMARC policy
If DMARC passes and BIMI is properly configured, the brand logo is displayed
Recipient sees authenticated brand logo next to email in inbox

The 5 Essential BIMI Requirements

DMARC Enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject)

Your domain must have a DMARC policy set to either "quarantine" or "reject" - monitoring mode (p=none) is not sufficient for BIMI implementation.

Required DMARC Policy

v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:[email protected]

Or Stronger Policy

v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:[email protected]

High DMARC Compliance Rate

Your emails must consistently pass DMARC authentication. Most providers require a high percentage (typically 95%+) of emails passing DMARC checks.

Note: You can check your DMARC compliance rate using Mail-Score.com testing, which provides detailed authentication analysis including BIMI readiness.

Verified Trademarked Logo

Your logo must be a registered trademark. For Gmail implementation, you need to work with a certified BIMI verification authority.

Logo Requirements

SVG format (Scalable Vector Graphics)
Square aspect ratio (1:1)
Optimized for small display sizes
Simple, recognizable design

Verification Process

Work with approved certification authorities
Provide trademark documentation
Submit logo for verification
Receive VMC (Verified Mark Certificate)

Proper BIMI DNS Record

You must publish a BIMI DNS record that points to your verified logo and includes the location of your VMC (Verified Mark Certificate).

Example BIMI Record:

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

Consistent Email Authentication

All your email sending sources must be properly authenticated with SPF and/or DKIM, and aligned with your DMARC policy.

Authentication Stack

SPF records authorizing all sending IPs
DKIM signatures for all outgoing email
DMARC policy enforcement
Consistent From domain usage

Testing Requirement

Use Mail-Score.com to verify authentication
Check BIMI readiness status
Test across all sending platforms
Monitor ongoing compliance

Step-by-Step BIMI Implementation Guide

Audit Your Current Email Authentication

Assessment Steps

Test current setup with Mail-Score.com
Check DMARC policy and compliance rate
Verify SPF and DKIM are working correctly
Identify all email sending sources
Review DMARC aggregate reports

Testing with Mail-Score.com

Mail-Score.com provides BIMI-specific testing
Check if BIMI requirements are met
Get detailed authentication analysis
Receive specific recommendations
Verify BIMI readiness status

Strengthen DMARC to Enforcement Level

DMARC Progression

Start with p=none (monitoring)
Identify and fix authentication issues
Move to p=quarantine
Monitor for any delivery issues
Implement p=reject for maximum security

Required for BIMI

DMARC policy must be p=quarantine or p=reject
High authentication pass rate (95%+)
Consistent alignment across all sends
Regular monitoring and maintenance

Obtain Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)

VMC Process

Choose a certified VMC provider
Submit trademark documentation
Provide your logo in SVG format
Complete verification process
Receive your VMC certificate

Logo Preparation

Convert logo to SVG format
Ensure square aspect ratio (1:1)
Optimize for small display sizes
Test visibility at various sizes
Host on secure, accessible URL

Publish BIMI DNS Record

DNS Configuration

Create new TXT record in DNS
Name: default._bimi.yourdomain.com
Value: Your BIMI record
TTL: 3600 (1 hour) recommended

BIMI Record Structure

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

v=BIMI1 (version); l= (logo URL); a= (VMC location)

Testing BIMI Implementation with Mail-Score.com

What Mail-Score.com BIMI Testing Covers

BIMI DNS Record Validation: Checks for proper BIMI record configuration
DMARC Policy Compliance: Verifies enforcement-level DMARC policy
Authentication Stack: Tests SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment
Logo Accessibility: Verifies logo URL is accessible and properly formatted
VMC Certificate Check: Validates Verified Mark Certificate setup
Overall BIMI Readiness: Provides comprehensive BIMI implementation score

Testing Process

Send test email to Mail-Score.com
Receive comprehensive BIMI analysis report
Identify specific issues preventing BIMI implementation
Get actionable recommendations for each problem area
Re-test after implementing fixes to verify BIMI readiness
Monitor ongoing BIMI compliance with regular testing

Ready to Test Your BIMI Implementation?

Use Mail-Score.com to verify your BIMI setup and ensure your brand logo will display correctly in Gmail and other supporting email clients.

Test BIMI with Mail-Score.com

The Business Impact of BIMI Implementation

Marketing Benefits

Increased Brand Recognition

Logo display creates instant visual recognition in crowded inboxes

Higher Engagement Rates

Trusted emails with brand logos achieve higher open and click rates

Competitive Advantage

Early adopters stand out as security-conscious and trustworthy

Security Benefits

Phishing Protection

Makes it harder for attackers to impersonate your brand

Brand Trust Building

Demonstrates commitment to email security and authentication

Industry Leadership

Positions your brand as forward-thinking in email security

15-25%

Open Rate Increase

Typical engagement improvement with BIMI

90%+

Reduced Phishing Risk

Effective domain spoofing prevention

<5%

Current Adoption

Early adoption provides competitive edge

Common BIMI Implementation Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: DMARC Not at Enforcement Level

Solution: Gradually strengthen DMARC policy from p=none to p=quarantine to p=reject. Use Mail-Score.com testing to identify and fix authentication issues at each stage.

Challenge: No Registered Trademark

Solution: Begin trademark registration process immediately. For organizations without trademarks, consider using a certifiable logo through alternative verification processes as they become available.

Challenge: Multiple Sending Sources

Solution: Document all email sending platforms and ensure each is properly authenticated. Use consistent From domains and include all sending sources in SPF records.

Challenge: Logo Format and Hosting

Solution: Convert logo to SVG format using professional design tools. Host on a reliable, secure CDN with proper SSL certificates. Test accessibility from multiple locations.

The Future of BIMI and Email Authentication

Expanding Email Client Support

Yahoo Mail: BIMI support in development
Outlook: Microsoft evaluating BIMI implementation
Apple Mail: Potential future support
Mobile Clients: Expanding to major mobile email apps
Enterprise Solutions: Corporate email system adoption

Enhanced Features

Dynamic Logos: Context-aware logo display
Verified Badges: Additional trust indicators
Interactive Elements: Clickable logo features
Analytics Integration: Logo display performance tracking
Industry Specific: Custom implementations for different sectors

Strategic Insight: BIMI is becoming the standard for email authentication and brand verification. Early implementation provides competitive advantages and establishes your brand as a leader in email security and trust.

Conclusion: Transform Your Email Presence with BIMI

BIMI represents the future of email authentication and brand trust. By displaying your verified logo in supporting email clients like Gmail, you create immediate brand recognition, increase engagement, and build trust with your audience while protecting against domain spoofing.

The implementation process requires careful attention to email authentication fundamentals, but the business benefits make it a worthwhile investment. Regular testing with Mail-Score.com ensures your BIMI setup remains effective and helps identify any issues before they impact your logo display.

Final Recommendation: Start your BIMI journey today by testing your current email authentication setup with Mail-Score.com. The comprehensive BIMI testing will identify exactly what you need to implement to get your brand logo displaying in Gmail and prepare for wider email client adoption.

What is an SPF Record?

An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that identifies which mail servers are permitted to send email on behalf of your domain. It's a critical email authentication method that helps protect your domain against spoofing and prevents your emails from being marked as spam.

Analogy: Think of an SPF record as a guest list for an exclusive event. Only the people (mail servers) on the list are allowed to enter (send emails from your domain).

When an email is received, the receiving mail server checks the SPF record of the sending domain to verify that the email came from an authorized server. If the sending server isn't listed in the SPF record, the email may be rejected or marked as spam.

Why is an SPF Record Needed?

Prevent Email Spoofing

Without SPF, attackers can easily forge the "From" address in emails to make them appear to come from your domain, leading to phishing attacks and damage to your reputation.

Improve Email Deliverability

Email providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo use SPF to verify sender authenticity. Proper SPF configuration increases the likelihood that your emails reach the inbox.

Build Sender Reputation

Consistently passing SPF checks helps build a positive sender reputation, which is crucial for successful email marketing campaigns and business communications.

Meet Industry Standards

SPF is part of the DMARC standard, which many organizations now require for accepting emails.

How SPF Improves Email Deliverability

Email service providers use complex algorithms to determine whether an email should be delivered to the inbox, spam folder, or rejected entirely. SPF plays a crucial role in this decision-making process.

When your domain has a properly configured SPF record, receiving mail servers can verify that your emails are legitimate. This verification builds trust and improves your sender score, which directly impacts deliverability rates.

Email sent from your domain

↓

Receiving server checks your SPF record

↓

Email authenticated → Higher deliverability

Note: SPF is just one component of email authentication. For maximum deliverability, it should be used in conjunction with DKIM and DMARC.

Understanding SPF Record Syntax

An SPF record is a TXT record in your DNS with a specific syntax. Here's a breakdown of the components:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:servers.mcsv.net ~all

Component	Description	Example
v=spf1	SPF version identifier	Mandatory prefix for all SPF records
include	Authorizes another domain's SPF record	include:_spf.google.com
ip4	Authorizes an IPv4 address or range	ip4:192.168.0.1
ip6	Authorizes an IPv6 address or range	ip6:2001:db8::/32
a	Authorizes the domain's A record IPs	a
mx	Authorizes the domain's MX record IPs	mx
~all	Soft fail for unauthorized servers	Emails from other servers are marked as suspicious
-all	Hard fail for unauthorized servers	Emails from other servers are rejected

How to Set Up SPF Records in Major DNS Providers

Cloudflare

Log in to your Cloudflare account and select your domain.
Navigate to the "DNS" section in the dashboard.
Click "Add record" and select "TXT" as the record type.
For the name, enter your domain (usually "@" for the root domain).
In the content field, enter your SPF record (e.g., v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all).
Set the TTL (Time to Live) to "Auto" or your preferred value.
Click "Save" to create the record.

Note: Cloudflare may take a few minutes to propagate the DNS changes globally.

Namecheap

Log in to your Namecheap account and go to the "Domain List".
Click "Manage" next to the domain you want to configure.
Select "Advanced DNS" from the navigation menu.
Find the "HOST RECORDS" section and click "Add New Record".
Select "TXT Record" from the type dropdown.
For the host, enter "@" for the root domain or your subdomain.
In the value field, enter your SPF record.
Set the TTL to the recommended value (usually 1800 seconds).
Click the save icon (checkmark) to create the record.

GoDaddy

Sign in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio.
Click on your domain to access the Domain Settings page.
Under "Additional Settings", select "Manage DNS".
In the "Records" section, click "Add" to create a new record.
Select "TXT" as the record type.
For the host, enter "@" for the root domain.
In the "TXT Value" field, enter your SPF record.
Set the TTL to the desired value (1 hour is typical).
Click "Save" to add the record.

AWS Route 53

Log in to the AWS Management Console and open the Route 53 console.
In the navigation pane, choose "Hosted zones".
Select the hosted zone for your domain.
Choose "Create record".
Leave the record name blank for the root domain or enter a subdomain.
Select "TXT - Text" as the record type.
In the value field, enter your SPF record enclosed in quotes.
Set the TTL value as needed.
Click "Create records" to save.

Google Domains

Sign in to Google Domains with your account.
Select the domain you want to manage.
Click on "DNS" in the left navigation menu.
Scroll down to the "Custom resource records" section.
In the first field (@ for root domain or subdomain name), leave blank for root or enter subdomain.
Set the type to "TXT".
In the "TTL" field, enter the time in seconds (3600 is typical).
In the "Data" field, enter your SPF record.
Click "Add" to save the record.

SPF Record Best Practices

Do's

Use the ~all mechanism initially for soft fails
Regularly review and update your SPF record
Use the include mechanism for third-party email services
Keep your SPF record under 10 DNS lookups (limit is 10)
Test your SPF record using online validation tools

Don'ts

Don't create multiple SPF records for the same domain
Avoid using +all (pass all) as it defeats the purpose
Don't forget to include all email sending services you use
Avoid exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit
Don't set TTL values too high when testing or making changes

Important: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally, though it's usually much faster. Always verify your SPF record after making changes.

Testing Your SPF Record

After setting up your SPF record, it's crucial to verify that it's working correctly. Here are some methods to test your SPF configuration:

Command Line

Use dig or nslookup commands to check your TXT records

Online Tools

Use websites like MXToolbox, SPF Record Testing Tools

Send Test Emails

Send emails to accounts on different providers and check headers

nslookup -type=TXT yourdomain.com

Conclusion

Implementing a proper SPF record is a fundamental step in securing your domain's email communications and improving deliverability. While the initial setup might seem technical, most DNS providers have simplified the process with user-friendly interfaces.

Remember that SPF is just one part of a comprehensive email authentication strategy. For maximum protection and deliverability, consider implementing DKIM and DMARC as well.

Final Tip: Regularly audit your SPF record, especially when adding new email marketing services or changing your email infrastructure. This ensures your record remains accurate and effective.