What is BIMI? Inbox brand mark + free BIMI checker
BIMI is how some inboxes display your brand mark beside messages that already pass DMARC. A free BIMI checker confirms default._bimi still publishes v=BIMI1 before you chase a missing logo in Gmail or Yahoo.
What is BIMI?
BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) is a DNS pointer that tells supporting receivers: here is the SVG logo to show next to mail from this domain, after authentication succeeds. It is not a replacement for SPF, DKIM, or DMARC—those prove the message is allowed. BIMI only paints the brand mark once that trust stack is already green.
The DNS record (default._bimi)
Publish a TXT at default._bimi.yourdomain that starts with v=BIMI1 and includes an l= HTTPS URL to a square SVG Tiny Portable/Secure logo you control. Some providers also want an a= URL to a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC/CMC). Host the SVG on a stable HTTPS path—do not point l= at a temporary brand-kit CDN you will rotate next quarter without updating DNS.
How to check BIMI (free BIMI checker)
1) Confirm DMARC is at quarantine or reject with alignment (free DMARC checker)—logos will not show on p=none. 2) Run the free BIMI checker on the bare domain. 3) Confirm a v=BIMI1 TXT exists at default._bimi—not a random TXT elsewhere. 4) Open the l= URL and verify the SVG still loads over HTTPS. 5) If you use a VMC, confirm the a= URL is still live. 6) After any zone edit, re-check; underscore hosts are easy to drop in panel rebuilds.
What CrowWake checks
We look up TXT at default._bimi.yourdomain for a record that includes v=BIMI1. Missing BIMI is a warn—many domains never publish it. When present, we summarize the published record so you notice accidental deletes. The free BIMI checker uses the same DNS lookup with no login. CrowWake does not fetch the SVG or validate a VMC in v1—just whether the brand-mark pointer is still published. For the repeat “watch this hourly” job, see the dedicated BIMI monitoring guide.
BIMI vs BIMI monitoring
This guide is the definition and publish/triage job: what BIMI is, how default._bimi + the logo URL work, and how to check BIMI with a free BIMI checker. BIMI monitoring is the hourly rooster—catch a wiped default._bimi, a republish without v=BIMI1, or an emptied l= after a brand-kit cutover. Both use the same free checker; CrowWake just repeats the pulse.
Why it matters
Brands chase BIMI for recognition in supporting inboxes; attackers cannot easily fake a verified mark when DMARC alignment is solid. Agencies lose default._bimi during zone rebuilds and only notice when the inbox logo vanishes—or when marketing asks why the mark never appeared because DMARC was still on p=none.
What “good enough” looks like
DMARC enforcement first (p=quarantine or p=reject with alignment). Then a single BIMI1 record with an HTTPS l= URL to a square Tiny PS SVG your brand owns. Host the SVG on a URL you control. Add a= only when your ESP or mailbox provider requires a VMC/CMC—check their docs before you expect logos everywhere.
Publish checklist (order matters)
1) Confirm SPF and DKIM pass for your real senders. 2) Move DMARC off p=none once reports look clean (free DMARC checker). 3) Host a BIMI-compliant SVG (square, HTTPS, Tiny PS). 4) Add TXT at default._bimi with v=BIMI1 and the l= logo URL (and a= if you have a VMC). 5) Re-check with the free BIMI checker, then add the domain so CrowWake crows if the record disappears.
If CrowWake crows
No BIMI → optional unless you want inbox logos; publish default._bimi only after DMARC is ready. Broken or emptied record after a DNS cleanup → restore v=BIMI1 and your l= (and a= if needed). Logo not showing in the inbox → fix DMARC policy/alignment before debugging the SVG or certificate. Re-run the free BIMI checker, then confirm CrowWake goes green.
Watch this on CrowWake
Add the domain, leave the boxes checked, and the flock will crow when this drifts.
Or try the free BIMI checker with no login.
Deep dive: BIMI monitoring — watch default._bimi so a silent wipe crows early, with the same free BIMI checker.
The free BIMI checker lists the live default._bimi pointer. Pair with DMARC monitoring, DMARC, SPF monitoring, and DKIM monitoring — logos only after enforcement.