Boost Your Email Credibility with BIMI DNS Records: A Friendly Guide to Deployment and Verification

In the world of email marketing and communication, standing out and being trustworthy is crucial. But how do you ensure your emails don't get lost in the abyss of spam folders? Enter BIMI DNS records! Buckle up, because we're about to dive into why BIMI DNS records are your new best friends and how to deploy and verify them.

What is a BIMI DNS Record?

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is like giving your email a stylish business card. It allows your brand's logo to appear alongside your emails in recipients' inboxes, adding a layer of authenticity and recognition. Think of it as a digital signature with a personal touch, telling your recipients, "Hey, this email is legit!"

Why are BIMI DNS Records Useful?

1. Enhanced Brand Recognition: Your logo in the inbox? Yes, please! BIMI helps your emails stand out and reinforces your brand identity every time someone opens their email.
2. Increased Trust: With phishing and spam on the rise, a recognizable logo assures recipients that the email is genuinely from you. It's like having a friendly face greeting them.
3. Improved Email Deliverability: Emails with BIMI are less likely to end up in the spam folder. This means more of your emails reach the intended audience, boosting engagement and conversions.
4. Competitive Edge: Not everyone is using BIMI yet. By adopting it early, you position your brand as a trustworthy and forward-thinking entity.

How to Deploy BIMI DNS Records

Deploying BIMI might sound technical, but it's simpler than you think. Follow these steps:

1. Create a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC): A VMC verifies your logo and is a crucial part of the BIMI setup. You can obtain it from authorized providers like DigiCert or Entrust.
2. Design Your SVG Logo: Ensure your logo is in SVG format. It needs to be square, less than 32KB in size, and meet BIMI specifications. Check this page for some software that can help you.
3. Authenticate Your Emails: Ensure your emails are authenticated using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. BIMI requires these protocols to be in place.

Update Your DNS Record: Add a new TXT DNS record for BIMI. The format typically looks like this:

default._bimi.yourdomain.com. IN TXT "v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomain.com/logo.svg; a=https://yourdomain.com/vmc.pem"

How to Verify BIMI DNS Records

After setting up your BIMI DNS records, it's time to verify them:

1. Use BIMI Inspector Tools: Several online tools, like BIMI Inspector, can check if your BIMI records are correctly configured. This one for example.
2. Monitor Email Deliverability: Keep an eye on your email deliverability rates. If you've set up BIMI correctly, you should see an improvement.
3. Check for Your Logo: Send test emails to major email providers like Gmail and Yahoo. Your logo should start appearing in the inbox once everything is verified.

Final Thoughts

BIMI DNS records are a game-changer for email marketing and communication. By enhancing brand recognition, increasing trust, and improving email deliverability, they ensure your emails get the attention they deserve. Plus, setting them up isn't as daunting as it seems. So, give your emails the VIP treatment and watch your inbox presence shine!

Remember, in the world of email, a little effort goes a long way. So, why not give BIMI a try? Your brand will thank you for it!