Free BIMI Record Checker – Validate Brand Indicators Instantly

What is a BIMI Record Checker?

A BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) checker is a specialized tool that validates your domain’s BIMI record, which enables your brand logo to be displayed in supported email clients. BIMI helps recipients visually identify legitimate emails from your brand, increasing trust and engagement while reducing phishing success rates.

Our BIMI record checker performs real-time DNS lookups to retrieve your domain’s BIMI record, validates its format, checks logo URLs, verifies VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) references, and provides comprehensive insights to ensure your brand logo displays correctly in email inboxes.

Why Use Our BIMI Checker?

How to Use the BIMI Checker

1. Enter Your Domain: Type your domain name (e.g., example.com) into the input field.
2. Click “Check BIMI Record”: Our tool will query the default._bimi.domain.com DNS record.
3. Review the Results: The checker displays your BIMI record status, logo configuration, and validation results.
4. Verify Requirements: Ensure all BIMI prerequisites are met, including DMARC enforcement.
5. Fix Issues: Follow recommendations to correct any configuration problems.

Understanding BIMI Records

A BIMI record is a TXT record published in your domain’s DNS at the location:

A typical BIMI record looks like this:

BIMI Record Tags Explained

• v=BIMI1: Version identifier (required, must be BIMI1)
• l=: Logo location (URL to your SVG Tiny PS logo file)
• a=: Authority evidence (URL to your Verified Mark Certificate in PEM format)

BIMI Logo Requirements

Your BIMI logo must meet specific technical requirements:

• Format: SVG Tiny PS (Portable/Secure) – a strict subset of SVG
• Shape: Square aspect ratio (1:1)
• Size: Recommended minimum 512×512 pixels, maximum 1024×1024 pixels
• File Type: Must be a valid SVG file with proper XML structure
• Accessibility: Must be hosted via HTTPS on a public server
• No Scripts: No JavaScript or external references allowed
• Trademark: Logo should be your registered trademark

What is a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)?

A Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) is a digital certificate that proves you own the trademark for your logo. It’s issued by authorized certificate authorities after verifying your trademark registration. VMCs are required by most major email providers to display BIMI logos.

VMC Benefits:

• Enables logo display in Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and other clients
• Provides legal proof of trademark ownership
• Prevents competitors from using your logo in BIMI
• Increases trust and brand recognition

Getting a VMC:

1. Register your logo as a trademark (USPTO, EUIPO, etc.)
2. Apply for a VMC from authorized Certificate Authorities like DigiCert or Entrust
3. Provide proof of trademark registration
4. Host the VMC PEM file on your website via HTTPS
5. Reference the VMC in your BIMI record’s “a=” tag

Email Clients Supporting BIMI

BIMI adoption is growing across major email platforms:

• Gmail: Full support (requires VMC)
• Yahoo Mail: Full support (requires VMC)
• Apple Mail: Limited support (iOS 16+, macOS Ventura+)
• Fastmail: Full support
• La Poste: Full support
• Outlook/Microsoft 365: Planned support

BIMI Implementation Steps

1. Establish Email Authentication:
   • Implement SPF and ensure it passes
   • Configure DKIM with valid signatures
   • Deploy DMARC with policy p=quarantine or p=reject
   • Maintain consistent authentication for 30+ days
2. Prepare Your Logo:
   • Create or convert your logo to SVG Tiny PS format
   • Ensure square aspect ratio (1:1)
   • Validate SVG compliance using BIMI validators
   • Host logo on HTTPS-enabled server
3. Obtain VMC (if required):
   • Register trademark if not already done
   • Apply for VMC from authorized CA
   • Complete verification process
   • Host VMC PEM file via HTTPS
4. Create BIMI Record:
   • Generate BIMI DNS record with v=, l=, and a= tags
   • Publish record at default._bimi.yourdomain.com
   • Allow 24-48 hours for DNS propagation
5. Test and Validate:
   • Use our BIMI checker to validate your record
   • Send test emails to Gmail and Yahoo accounts
   • Verify logo displays correctly in inbox
   • Monitor BIMI reports and DMARC aggregate reports

Common BIMI Problems and Solutions

Problem: Logo Not Displaying

Possible causes:

• DMARC policy not set to quarantine or reject
• No VMC or invalid VMC certificate
• Logo not in SVG Tiny PS format
• HTTPS hosting issues
• BIMI record syntax errors

Solution: Verify all requirements using our checker, ensure DMARC enforcement, obtain valid VMC, and validate SVG format.

Problem: Invalid SVG Format

Solution: Use SVG Tiny PS validators to check your logo. Remove any scripts, external references, or unsupported features. Use specialized tools to convert standard SVG to Tiny PS format.

Problem: VMC Errors

Solution: Ensure your VMC is properly formatted, hosted via HTTPS, accessible publicly, and matches your trademark registration.

BIMI Best Practices

1. Start with DMARC enforcement: Move to p=quarantine or p=reject before implementing BIMI
2. Use professional logo design: Ensure clarity and recognition at small sizes
3. Maintain brand consistency: Use the same logo across all platforms
4. Get proper VMC: Don’t skip this step for major email providers
5. Test thoroughly: Send emails to various clients and verify display
6. Monitor DMARC reports: Ensure continued authentication success
7. Keep certificates current: Renew VMCs before expiration
8. Document your setup: Maintain records of logo URLs, VMC details, and implementation dates

BIMI ROI and Benefits

Implementing BIMI provides measurable business benefits:

• Increased Trust: 73% of recipients are more likely to trust emails with brand logos
• Higher Engagement: Branded emails see 10-20% higher open rates
• Better Recognition: Visual brand presence improves recall and legitimacy
• Phishing Protection: Harder for attackers to impersonate your brand
• Competitive Advantage: Stand out in crowded inboxes
• Brand Consistency: Unified visual identity across email communications

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need BIMI if I already have SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?

BIMI is optional but highly recommended. While SPF, DKIM, and DMARC provide authentication and security, BIMI adds visual brand recognition that builds trust and improves engagement.

How much does a VMC cost?

VMCs typically cost $1,000-$1,500 annually from authorized certificate authorities. Some CAs offer discounts for multi-year purchases or bundled services.

Can I use BIMI without a VMC?

Some email clients (like Fastmail) support BIMI without VMCs, but major providers (Gmail, Yahoo) require VMCs to display logos. For maximum reach, a VMC is recommended.

What if I don’t have a registered trademark?

You need a registered trademark to obtain a VMC. Start the trademark registration process with your country’s trademark office (USPTO in the US, EUIPO in Europe, etc.).

How long does BIMI implementation take?

Technical implementation (DNS records, logo hosting) takes 1-2 days. However, you need: 30+ days of DMARC enforcement, trademark registration (3-6 months), and VMC issuance (1-2 weeks). Total timeline: 4-7 months for complete implementation.

Will BIMI work with all my emails?

BIMI only works for emails that pass DMARC authentication with your domain properly aligned. Third-party senders must be configured to pass SPF or DKIM for your domain.

Can I have different logos for different subdomains?

Yes. You can create separate BIMI records for subdomains (e.g., default._bimi.marketing.example.com) with different logos, each requiring its own VMC.