Emails form a crucial mode of communication for businesses worldwide, with the number of emails sent each day reaching an astronomical figure of over 300 billion. However, with the rise of email-based phishing attacks, it has become essential for businesses to establish trust in their email communication with their customers. Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) is an email authentication standard that aims to precisely achieve this goal. In this article, we will explore BIMI, along with its advantages and limitations.
Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) – A brief overview
BIMI is a standard that allows businesses to display their brand logos alongside authenticated emails. While it may seem like a minor addition, it can have a significant impact on the trust customers place in your business’s emails.
BIMI works alongside existing email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
BIMI complements current email authentication standards such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). SPF and DKIM authenticate the sender and the content of the email, respectively, while DMARC monitors and enforces email authentication standards’ compliance. Combining BIMI with the authentication provided by these standards can go a long way in improving trust in the email ecosystem.
The primary aim of BIMI is to improve trust in the email ecosystem
BIMI aims to establish trust between a business and its customers by adding a visual layer of authentication to emails that have been verified. With BIMI, a business can display its brand logo next to a verified email, which can increase the customer’s confidence in the email’s legitimacy.
Enhanced brand recognition – is a prominent benefit of using BIMI
BIMI can significantly improve a business’s brand recognition by displaying its logo consistently across all authenticated emails. With BIMI, businesses can ensure that their brand is visible and recognizable to their customers, even within their email inboxes, which can help establish a strong brand identity.
Improving email deliverability – Another important benefit of BIMI
With BIMI, businesses can increase their email deliverability by improving their email authentication standards. Improved authentication can result in a lower likelihood of emails ending up in spam folders, which improves the chances of customers receiving and opening them.
Displaying a brand logo alongside authenticated emails can increase trust and credibility
Displaying a business’s brand logo alongside authenticated emails can significantly increase a customer’s trust and credibility in the email. With phishing and spoofing attacks on the rise, it can be challenging for customers to distinguish between legitimate emails and fraudulent ones. BIMI can help alleviate this concern by adding a layer of visual authentication.
Protection against phishing and spoofing attacks – How BIMI can help
BIMI can provide protection against phishing and spoofing attacks by displaying the brand logo next to authenticated emails. It ensures that only legitimate emails receive the stamp of approval and display the business’s logo, thereby helping customers differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent emails.
Prerequisite for implementing BIMI – Having SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records set up
Before implementing BIMI, it is essential to have SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records set up. BIMI works alongside these authentication standards and cannot work in isolation. Setting up these records can take time and effort, but the benefits that BIMI provides are well worth the investment.
Adding a BIMI record involves adding a TXT record to the domain’s DNS
A BIMI record is a TXT record that needs to be added to the domain’s DNS. It contains the location of the business’s logo file, which is then displayed alongside authenticated emails. While the record’s structure is straightforward, businesses must ensure that they follow the correct format and guidelines before setting it up.
Limitations of BIMI – BIMI is not supported by all email clients and providers
While BIMI can provide significant benefits to businesses, not all email clients and providers support it. Several email service providers, including Gmail and Yahoo, have yet to implement BIMI. This limitation means that businesses may not be able to display their logos across all their customers’ email inboxes.
BIMI is an email authentication standard that can significantly improve a business’s reputation and trust in its email communication with its customers. By displaying a brand logo alongside authenticated emails, businesses can enhance their brand recognition, improve email deliverability, and protect against phishing and spoofing attacks. However, it is essential to remember that BIMI works alongside existing email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and not all email clients and providers support it. Nevertheless, businesses that implement BIMI can establish a strong brand identity while improving trust and credibility in their emails.
