BIMI Record
Generator

BIMI Logo Preparation Guide

The most critical aspect of BIMI implementation is proper logo preparation. Your logo must be in SVG Tiny Portable/Secure format, which has strict limitations. No external references, scripts, animations, or gradients are allowed. The logo should be square (1:1 aspect ratio), centered on a solid background, and under 32KB. Many organizations need to create a simplified version of their logo specifically for BIMI. Tools like Adobe Illustrator can export SVG Tiny format, but manual validation is often required.

Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) Process

Gmail requires a Verified Mark Certificate for BIMI logo display. The VMC process involves several steps: First, you need a registered trademark in an eligible jurisdiction. Then, you purchase a VMC from an authorized Certificate Authority (DigiCert or Entrust) for $1,000-$1,500 annually. The CA verifies your trademark ownership and right to use the logo. The entire process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Without a VMC, your logo won't display in Gmail, though it may still work in Yahoo Mail and other providers.

BIMI Deployment Timeline

• Week 1: Prepare logo in SVG Tiny format, validate specifications
• Week 2: Ensure DMARC policy is at quarantine/reject with good alignment
• Week 3: Apply for VMC if targeting Gmail (if trademark ready)
• Week 4-5: Receive VMC, deploy BIMI record to DNS
• Week 6: Monitor email clients for logo display
• Ongoing: Maintain DMARC compliance, monitor BIMI performance

Troubleshooting BIMI Display Issues

If your logo isn't displaying after BIMI setup, check these common issues: DMARC policy might be too weak (must be quarantine or reject), DMARC alignment rates may be too low, DNS propagation might still be in progress (wait 48-72 hours), logo format might not meet SVG Tiny specifications, or the VMC might be misconfigured. Email providers also cache BIMI lookups, so changes can take up to a week to reflect. Use BIMI validators to verify your setup and check your logo rendering.