What is a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)?
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So you're thinking about putting your logo in Gmail inboxes? That's where a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) comes in. It's basically a credential that proves you legally own your brand's logo, kind of like how an SSL certificate proves you own a website.
Here's the deal. When you set up BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification), you're telling Gmail and other mailbox providers to display your logo next to your sender name. But any company could claim any logo without proof. VMCs solve that problem by requiring Entrust or DigiCert (the only approved Certificate Authorities) to verify you actually own the trademark. They check your registration and issue the certificate tied to your specific logo file.
Here's what matters for you. Gmail requires a VMC to display your logo. Other providers like Yahoo are more flexible, but if you want that visual trust signal across the board, you'll need one. The cost is typically $1,500 to $3,000 per year, which is a real investment for smaller teams.
Next step: if you've got a registered trademark and DMARC enforcement set up, check whether your domain meets BIMI prerequisites before committing to a VMC.
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