What is BIMI?

Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) is a standard that enhances your email’s credibility by displaying your brand’s logo on the emails you send. This acts as an additional layer of verification, assuring your customers of the email’s authenticity. For detailed information, refer to the BIMI Implementation Guide.

Why Do You Need a BIMI Logo?

Brand Recall: Each email you send showcases your logo in the recipient’s inbox, reinforcing your brand image.

Customer Confidence: A recognisable logo assures customers that the email is from a trusted brand they are familiar with.

Email Deliverability: Emails identified as trustworthy are more likely to reach inboxes and receive clicks.

Visual Confirmation: Your logo is verified along with your email, indicating that your message has been authenticated.

DMARC-Based: BIMI builds on a foundation of DMARC, enhancing security with your existing DMARC deployment.

How to Check Your BIMI Record

Ensure your BIMI record is functioning properly by using a BIMI record lookup tool in Powermail. Simply:

1. Enter your domain name in the designated box.
   Click on Lookup.
2. View your results to check for any errors.
3. Take action to correct any misconfigured records promptly.

Do You Need DMARC?

Yes! To use BIMI, your domain must have DMARC deployed with a policy of “p=quarantine” or “reject”, with both SPF and DKIM enabled.

Developing a good reputation as a sender is crucial for email receiving servers to recognise you as a trusted source. Following email best practices and deliverability guidelines is essential. Your track record influences whether the email receiver will display your BIMI-based brand logo. There’s no time to waste—get started now!

What Does Powermail Do Differently?

At Powermail, we believe in not just being unique but doing things better. Here’s how:

Hosted BIMI included: When you sign up for a DMARC deployment with Powermail, you also receive hosted BIMI implementation for free. Building your brand has never been easier.

One-Click Implementation: With PowerBIMI, obtaining your SVG-compliant logo is quick and simple. Just upload your logo image, click one button, and you’re done. We’ll handle the rest.

BIMI is one of the newest email verification standards. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to build your brand image.

BIMI vs BIMI VMC vs BIMI CMC

BIMI adoption is growing rapidly, but the requirements vary across email providers. Some providers allow a basic BIMI configuration without verifying your ownership of the logo. However, for added credibility and security, many require a more formal validation process. This is where Verified Mark Certificates (VMCs) and Common Mark Certificates (CMCs) come into play.

Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)

A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) offers the highest level of brand authentication for BIMI. It requires your logo to be trademarked and involves a rigorous validation process to prove ownership. Once you’ve secured a VMC, not only does your logo display in email inboxes, but your emails are also accompanied by a blue verification checkmark—a symbol of trust and authenticity. This is especially valuable for larger brands looking to establish authority and prevent brand spoofing.

Best for: Businesses with trademarked logos looking to enhance brand credibility.
Key benefit: Verified checkmark next to your logo, reinforcing trust and legitimacy.
Consideration: Requires trademarking your logo, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Common Mark Certificate (CMC)

A Common Mark Certificate (CMC) is a simpler, more accessible option for BIMI logo display. Unlike VMCs, CMCs do not require your logo to be trademarked, making them easier to obtain. The CMC verifies that your business has been using a specific logo for at least one year, allowing you to display your logo in inboxes without the need for a trademark. However, CMC users will not receive the blue verification checkmark that comes with VMCs.

Best for: Businesses without a trademarked logo that still want to display their logo in email inboxes.
Key benefit: Easier and faster to obtain without the expense of trademarking.
Consideration: Does not include the verification checkmark, offering less visual trust compared to VMC.

Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between a VMC and CMC depends on your brand’s needs. If brand authenticity and trust are critical, especially in high-volume email communications, a VMC may be worth the investment. For smaller businesses or those seeking a faster route to BIMI logo display, a CMC provides a practical solution without the complexities of trademarking.

By securing either a VMC or CMC, your business can confidently display its logo in email inboxes, helping to enhance brand recognition and increase customer trust.