Back to Tools

BIMI Record Checker

Check if a domain has BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) configured. BIMI displays your brand logo next to emails in supported inboxes like Gmail and Apple Mail.

About this tool

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) puts your brand logo right next to your emails in the recipient's inbox. Instead of a generic avatar or initials, your subscribers see your actual logo — in Gmail, Apple Mail, Yahoo, and more. It's a visual trust signal that makes your emails instantly recognizable, and early data suggests it can boost open rates by 10% or more. But BIMI isn't just a nice-to-have design feature — it requires strong email authentication, which means setting it up forces you to get your security right too.

What you need before BIMI will work

BIMI has strict prerequisites. First, you need a DMARC policy of at least p=quarantine (p=reject is even better). If you're still on p=none, BIMI won't activate — mailbox providers won't display your logo until you're actually protecting your domain from spoofing. Second, you need your SPF and DKIM fully passing. Third, you need a square SVG logo in the SVG Tiny Portable/Secure (SVG Tiny PS) format — not a regular SVG, not a PNG, not a JPEG. This specific format was chosen for security reasons (it doesn't allow embedded scripts).

The VMC certificate question

For Gmail specifically, you also need a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC), which costs around $1,500/year from providers like DigiCert or Entrust. The VMC requires a registered trademark for your logo. This sounds expensive, but for brands sending millions of emails, the improved recognition and open rates easily justify the cost. Apple Mail, Yahoo, and Fastmail display BIMI logos without a VMC, so you can start there while deciding whether the Gmail investment makes sense for your volume.

How to set up your BIMI record

BIMI is a DNS TXT record published at default._bimi.yourdomain.com. The record format is: v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/vmc.pem. The l= tag points to your SVG logo URL (must be HTTPS), and the optional a= tag points to your VMC certificate. The logo URL must be publicly accessible — no authentication, no redirects. Host it on a reliable CDN so it loads quickly.

Common BIMI mistakes

The number one mistake is using the wrong SVG format. A regular SVG exported from Illustrator or Figma won't work — it must be converted to SVG Tiny PS. Several online converters handle this, but always test the result. Another mistake: having your DMARC policy set to p=none and wondering why the logo doesn't appear. BIMI requires enforcement. Check your authentication stack first with our deliverability score tool, and verify DNS propagation with our DNS propagation checker after publishing your BIMI record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BIMI and what does it do?

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) displays your brand logo next to your emails in supported inboxes. Instead of generic avatars or initials, recipients see your actual logo — making your emails instantly recognizable. It builds on your existing email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and rewards good security practices with better brand visibility.

Which email clients support BIMI?

Gmail (requires VMC certificate), Apple Mail, Yahoo Mail, and Fastmail all support BIMI. Apple Mail and Yahoo display logos without a VMC, which makes them good places to start. Microsoft Outlook doesn't support BIMI yet, though Microsoft has shown interest in the standard. Support keeps growing — check back periodically for updates.

Do I need a VMC certificate?

Only for Gmail. A VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) costs about $1,500/year from DigiCert or Entrust and requires a registered trademark for your logo. If most of your subscribers use Gmail, it's worth the investment — Gmail is the largest email client. If your audience primarily uses Apple Mail or Yahoo, you can skip the VMC and still get your logo displayed.

What's the SVG Tiny PS format and how do I create one?

SVG Tiny PS (Portable/Secure) is a restricted SVG format that removes scripting capabilities for security. Regular SVGs from design tools won't work — they contain features BIMI doesn't allow. You can convert your logo using online tools specifically built for BIMI SVG conversion. The logo must be square, and the SVG should be under 32KB. Test it with a BIMI validator before publishing.

What DMARC policy do I need for BIMI?

At minimum, p=quarantine. p=reject is even better and gives mailbox providers more confidence in displaying your logo. If you're currently on p=none, you'll need to go through the DMARC enforcement process first — monitor reports, fix any alignment issues with your senders, then escalate to quarantine. This typically takes 4-8 weeks if you do it carefully.

Does BIMI actually improve open rates?

Early studies from Yahoo and Verizon Media showed a 10% increase in open rates for emails with BIMI logos. The logic makes sense: a recognizable brand logo builds trust and catches the eye in a crowded inbox. Your mileage will vary depending on how well-known your brand is, but for established brands, the recognition boost is measurable.

How long does it take for BIMI to start showing?

After publishing your BIMI DNS record and having valid DMARC enforcement, it can take a few days to a couple of weeks for mailbox providers to pick it up. Gmail tends to be slower because they verify the VMC. Yahoo and Apple Mail are usually faster. Use a DNS propagation checker to confirm your record is visible globally, and send test emails to verify the logo appears.

Can I use different logos for different email types?

BIMI supports selectors, so theoretically you can have different logos for different subdomains or selectors. In practice, most organizations use the 'default' selector and a single logo. If you send from multiple subdomains (e.g., marketing.yourdomain.com and support.yourdomain.com), each would need its own BIMI record and could have different logos.

What happens if my DMARC policy drops back to p=none?

Your BIMI logo stops displaying immediately. Mailbox providers check your DMARC policy on every incoming message, and BIMI requires active enforcement (quarantine or reject). If you accidentally change your policy or it gets reset, your logo disappears until enforcement is restored. This is another reason to be careful with DMARC changes once BIMI is active.

Compare email marketing software

Hands-on roundups to help you pick the right platform.

More Free Tools

View all tools

SPF Record Checker

Ensure your domain is properly authenticated with our SPF record checker. Avoid spoofing and improve inbox placement.

DKIM Record Checker

Verify your domain's DKIM configuration for email authentication. Check the public key, selector, and key strength to ensure your emails are properly signed.

Email Header Analyzer

Analyze email headers to trace routing, check authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), identify delivery delays, and debug email issues. Paste headers from any email client.

DMARC Record Checker

Check your domain's DMARC policy to protect against email spoofing and phishing. Verify your DMARC record configuration and get recommendations for improvement.