A BIMI is your logo in the recipient's inbox. To set up a BIMI you need:
Access to the DNS records
An SVG version of the logo
Optionally: a VMC of the logo
Step 1: Validate the domain name using SPF and/or DKIM and DMARC records
A BIMI can only be added when the domain name is fully validated. Two important points around validating your domain name:
An SPF either DKIM record must exist for your domain. As a Reloadify user, you automatically add a DKIM record when validating the domain name.
For BIMI, it is important that the DMARC is set with p=quarantine or p=reject.
Step 2: Provide an SVG version of the logo.
BIMI works with the file type .SVG (Scaled Vector Graphic). The logo must also meet the following requirements:
The image must have a square aspect ratio.
The image must be centered. Depending on the email client, the logo will be displayed as a circle or square with rounded corners.
The background must be a solid color. Transparent backgrounds may not display as you expect.
The size of the image should be under 32 KB.
The SVG logo must be available on a public server.
Step 3: Get a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).
To display the logo in Gmail, a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) is required. This proves that you actually own the logo. In this article, Google explains how to get a VMC.
A VMC is not required for other e-mail clients, including Outlook and Apple Mail
Step 4: Add a BIMI record to the DNS data
A BIMI record can be added to the domain host in two ways.
Method 1: have a BIMI record generated and add it to the DNS
Method 2: manually create a BIMI TXT record
Manually creating a BIMI record
A BIMI record looks like the following:
default._bimi.[domeinnaam] IN TXT “v=BIMI1; l=[SVG URL]; a=[PEM URL];"
Values to be filled in:
Host: "default._bimi[yourdomainname]". For example: default._bimi.reloadify
v-value: BIMI1
l-value: URL of the location of the SVG (on the public server)
a-value: link to VMC (also on public server). Don't have a VMC? Then remove the a-value.
Step 5: Check the BIMI
After saving the TXT record, you need to check the BIMI. To do this, send an e-mail to yourself or perform a BIMI check.
Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for BIMI records to be verified.