Strengthen Brand Trust with BIMI &
verified Mark Certificates
Display your verified brand logo directly in customer inboxes. Increase email visibility, enhance brand recognition, and protect against phishing with BIMI implementation and certified mark services.
What is BIMI?
Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) is an email authentication standard that displays your verified brand logo next to emails in supported inboxes.
How BIMI Works
-
1
Implement DMARC with enforcement policy (quarantine/reject)
-
2
Create SVG version of your brand logo
-
3
Obtain Verified or Common Mark Certificate
-
4
Host logo and certificate
-
5
Publish BIMI DNS record with certificate reference
-
6
Your logo displays in supported email clients
Supported Mailbox Providers
Why BIMI Matters
- ✓ Instant brand recognition in crowded inboxes
- ✓ Improved email deliverability and engagement
- ✓ Protection against phishing and spoofing
- ✓ Demonstrates commitment to email security
Understanding Mark Certificates
Mark Certificates verify logo ownership and authenticate your brand identity for BIMI implementation. They serve as digital proof that you have the legal right to use your brand logo.
Logo Ownership
Verifies your legal right to use the brand logo
Authentication
Separate from email authentication protocols
BIMI Requirement
Required by major mailbox providers for logo display
Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)
Enterprise-grade certification with trademark verification
What is VMC?
A Verified Mark Certificate is a digital certificate issued by authorized Certificate Authorities that validates both logo ownership and registered trademark status.
Who Should Use VMC?
- ✔ Large enterprises and Fortune 500 companies
- ✔ Financial institutions and banks
- ✔ SaaS platforms and technology companies
- ✔ Organizations with registered trademarks
Key Benefits
- ➜ Supported by all major email providers
- ➜ Maximum brand trust and credibility
- ➜ Legal trademark verification included
- ➜ Strong protection against brand impersonation
Common Mark Certificate (CMC)
Alternative certification for organizations without trademarks
What is CMC?
A Common Mark Certificate verifies logo ownership without requiring registered trademark status. Designed for smaller organizations or those in the trademark application process.
How CMC Differs from VMC
- – No trademark verification required
- – Limited mailbox provider support
- – Lower cost alternative
- – Faster issuance process
Who Should Use CMC?
- ✔ Small to medium businesses without trademarks
- ✔ Organizations in trademark application process
- ✔ Budget-conscious implementations
- ✔ Testing BIMI before full VMC investment
VMC vs CMC: Side-by-Side Comparison
Choose the right certificate for your organization's needs
| Feature | Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) | Common Mark Certificate (CMC) |
|---|---|---|
| Logo Ownership Verification | ✔ Yes, with trademark | ✔ Yes, without trademark |
| Trademark Requirement | ✔ Required (USPTO or equivalent) | ✖ Not required |
| Gmail Support | ✔ Full support | ✖ Not supported |
| Yahoo Mail Support | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Apple Mail Support | ✔ Yes | ⚠ Limited |
| Security Level | High | Medium |
| Brand Trust Level | Maximum | Standard |
| Typical Cost Range | $1,500 – $3,000 / year | $500 – $1,000 / year |
| Issuance Time | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Best Use Cases | Enterprises, financial institutions, SaaS platforms, regulated industries | SMBs, startups, organizations without trademarks, testing phase |
💡 Recommendation
For maximum brand visibility and trust, VMC is the recommended choice for most organizations. If your brand has a registered trademark and sends email to Gmail users, VMC is essential. CMC can serve as a temporary solution while pursuing trademark registration or for smaller deployments targeting non-Gmail audiences.
Prerequisites for BIMI Implementation
Essential requirements before deploying BIMI
DMARC Policy
Must have DMARC policy set to p=quarantine or
p=reject
SPF & DKIM Alignment
SPF and DKIM must be properly configured and aligned with your domain
SVG Logo Format
Logo must be in SVG Tiny PS format, square aspect ratio, with specific technical requirements
Trademark (for VMC)
Registered trademark from USPTO or equivalent national trademark office
DNS Configuration
Ability to publish BIMI DNS TXT record in your domain’s DNS zone
Logo Hosting
HTTPS-accessible location to host your SVG logo file publicly
☑️ Implementation Checklist
Email Authentication
- ☐ Configure SPF record
- ☐ Set up DKIM signing
- ☐ Implement DMARC with p=quarantine/reject
- ☐ Monitor DMARC reports for alignment
Logo & Certificate
- ☐ Convert logo to SVG Tiny PS format
- ☐ Verify trademark registration (for VMC)
- ☐ Obtain VMC or CMC certificate
- ☐ Publish BIMI DNS record
Benefits of BIMI & Mark Certificates
Measurable business and security advantages
Business Benefits
- 1 Improved Brand Visibility
Your logo appears next to every email, creating instant brand recognition in crowded inboxes
- 2 Increased Email Open Rates
Studies show up to 85% higher open rates when brand logos are displayed
- 3 Enhanced Customer Trust
Visual verification signals legitimacy and professionalism to recipients
- 4 Competitive Advantage
Stand out from competitors who haven’t implemented BIMI
- 5 Better Email Engagement
Logo presence correlates with higher click-through rates and conversions
Security Benefits
- 1 Phishing Protection
Makes it harder for attackers to impersonate your brand via email
- 2 Reduced Email Spoofing
DMARC enforcement requirement prevents unauthorized use of your domain
- 3 Brand Protection
Visual indicator helps customers distinguish legitimate emails from scams
- 4 Compliance Demonstration
Shows commitment to email security best practices and industry standards
- 5 Improved Deliverability
Strong authentication signals to mailbox providers improve inbox placement
Higher email open rates with logo display
Increase in brand recognition
Reduction in successful phishing attempts
Mailboxes supporting BIMI globally
Kandyp's BIMI & Mark Certificate Services
End-to-end implementation and ongoing support
How Kandyp Helps You Implement BIMI
We handle the entire process from assessment to deployment and beyond
Eligibility Assessment
We audit your current email authentication setup, domain configuration, and trademark status to determine BIMI readiness
DNS Configuration
Publish BIMI DNS records with proper formatting and certificate references
DMARC / SPF / DKIM Setup
Complete configuration of email authentication protocols including DMARC enforcement policy implementation
Testing & Verification
Comprehensive testing across all supported mailbox providers to ensure logo displays correctly
Logo Validation & Optimization
Convert and optimize your logo to SVG Tiny PS format meeting all technical specifications
Ongoing Monitoring
Continuous monitoring of BIMI status, DMARC compliance, and authentication metrics
Certificate Procurement
Guide you through VMC or CMC application process and coordinate with Certificate Authorities
Renewal Support
Annual certificate renewal management and updates as needed
Fast Implementation
Average 2–4 week turnaround from start to live deployment
Dedicated Support
Assigned project manager and technical specialist throughout
Certified Expertise
Team trained in email authentication and BIMI standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BIMI and Mark Certificates
Is BIMI mandatory for email sending?
No, BIMI is not mandatory. However, it is becoming an industry best practice for brands that want to maximize email visibility, trust, and protection against phishing. While you can send emails without BIMI, you will miss out on brand recognition and security benefits.
Do I need a trademark to implement BIMI?
It depends on your certificate choice. For VMC (Verified Mark Certificate), a registered trademark from USPTO or an equivalent national trademark office is required. For CMC (Common Mark Certificate), no trademark is needed. VMC is required for Gmail support and provides maximum brand trust.
How long does BIMI implementation take?
Implementation timelines vary based on your starting point. If DMARC is already enforced, implementation typically takes 2–4 weeks including certificate procurement. If email authentication must be set up from scratch, allow 4–8 weeks for proper DMARC monitoring before enforcement.
What mailbox providers support BIMI?
Major mailbox providers supporting BIMI include Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Apple Mail, Fastmail, La Poste, and Zone. Gmail is the largest provider with over 1.8 billion users. Support continues to expand as BIMI adoption increases. VMC certificates generally have broader support than CMC.
Can BIMI improve email deliverability?
Yes, indirectly. BIMI requires DMARC enforcement, which signals strong authentication to mailbox providers. This improves sender reputation and inbox placement. Additionally, logo display increases engagement metrics such as opens and clicks, which further improves deliverability over time.
How much do Mark Certificates cost?
VMC certificates typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per year depending on the Certificate Authority and validation requirements. CMC certificates range from $500 to $1,000 per year. Pricing includes logo validation and certificate issuance, with trademark verification included for VMC.
What happens when my certificate expires?
Once a Mark Certificate expires, your logo will stop displaying in supported email clients. Certificates are usually valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Kandyp provides renewal reminders and manages the renewal process to ensure uninterrupted logo display.
Can I use BIMI with multiple domains?
Yes. Each domain requires its own BIMI DNS record. A single certificate can be referenced by multiple domains if applicable. For complex multi-domain environments, Kandyp can design an efficient implementation strategy.
Ready to Enhance Your Email Brand Presence?
Let Kandyp guide you through complete BIMI implementation with expert support every step of the way