What are common BIMI errors?

Still have a question, spotted an error, or have a better explanation or a source we should cite?

Your BIMI logo isn't showing up. Here are the most common reasons why, and how to spot each one.

SVG format is wrong. Your image editing software probably exports standard SVG, but BIMI needs SVG Tiny Portable Secure format specifically. It's a stripped-down version without scripts, external links, or text elements. If you're not sure whether your SVG passes validation, test it with BIMI setup instructions that include validation steps.

DMARC policy isn't strong enough. BIMI requires DMARC set to p=quarantine or p=reject. If you're still running p=none, upgrade your DMARC policy before you debug anything else. Many people get stuck here without realizing it. Check your DMARC policy to see where you stand.

DNS record has the wrong path or format. The BIMI DNS entry lives in a specific place (bimi._domainkey.yourdomain.com) and expects exact formatting. One typo breaks the whole setup.

VMC certificate mismatch (if you're using one). If you've got a Verified Mark Certificate, the domain in the certificate must match exactly. Subdomain mismatches are an instant fail.

DNS hasn't propagated yet. New records take 24 to 72 hours to spread across the internet. Don't test immediately. Wait and try again from a different email provider once propagation finishes. Need help checking if a specific authentication problem is yours? Try the Review My Emails hotline.

Contributors

Who worked on this answer

Every name links to their profile. Every company links to their site. Real people, real accountability.

Ask an AI · tailored to your setup

Get a personalized diagnostic for your BIMI setup.

I read this about common BIMI errors: "SVG format is wrong... DMARC policy isn't strong enough... DNS record has the wrong path or format... If you're still running p=none, upgrade your DMARC policy before you debug anything else." Help me figure out which error is affecting MY domain: 1. How do I test if my SVG is valid BIMI format? 2. What's my current DMARC policy and what should it be? 3. How do I verify my DNS record is correct? 4. Where do I start troubleshooting if multiple things could be wrong? --- My details (fill in what applies): - Email platform/ESP: e.g. Mailchimp, SendGrid, Postmark, HubSpot, custom SMTP - Domain(s): your sending domain(s) - Current DMARC policy: none / quarantine / reject - Do you have an SVG logo ready?: yes/no - Have you set up BIMI DNS records?: yes/no - Are you using a VMC certificate?: yes/no

Edit the yellow boxes, then send to the AI of your choice.