What is BIMI?
BIMI, or Brand Indicators for Message Identification, is an email authentication standard. It allows organizations to display their brand logos next to authenticated emails in the inbox.
How does it work?
The sender’s domain name is part of the email header when you send an email. If the sender has a valid DMARC record, email clients supporting BIMI can verify that the authorized sender sent the email. If the DMARC record is valid, the email client will display the sender’s brand logo next to the email in the inbox.
Why is it important?
BIMI can help organizations to improve their email deliverability, brand recognition, and security.
Improved email deliverability
It can help to improve email deliverability by increasing trust with recipients. When email clients display brand logos next to authenticated emails, they increase the likelihood of opening them.
Increased brand recognition
It can help to increase brand recognition by displaying brand logos next to authenticated emails in the inbox. This can help to build trust with recipients and make them more likely to do business with your organization.
Reduced risk of phishing attacks
It can help to reduce the risk of phishing attacks by making it more difficult for attackers to spoof your brand. When email clients display brand logos next to authenticated emails, recipients will be more likely to recognize and trust emails that come from your organization.
How to get started with BIMI
To start, follow these steps:
- Set up DMARC.
- Produce an SVG Tiny PS version of your official logo.
- Obtain a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).
- Publish a BIMI record for your domain in DNS.
Once you complete these steps, email clients that support BIMI will display your brand logo next to authenticated emails in their inboxes.
Conclusion: a valuable tool
BIMI is a valuable tool that can help organizations to improve their email deliverability, brand recognition, and security. A couple of resources can assist you to start:
- The BIMI website has a wealth of information, including a step-by-step guide on how to set it up.
- The prepare to setup BIMI page is also a valuable resource for organizations looking to use it.
