SignumeBIMI, VMC & CMC: Which Email Providers Show Your Logo (and the Checkmark)?
Not every inbox treats BIMI the same. Here's which providers show your brand logo, which add Gmail's blue checkmark, and which show nothing at all in 2026.
One of the most common surprises with BIMI is that your logo doesn't appear everywhere the moment you're set up. Different email providers support the standard differently: some show your logo with a certificate, some without one, one large provider adds a verified checkmark, and another shows nothing at all.
This guide maps who does what, so you can set the right expectations before investing in a VMC.
First, the mental model: the mailbox, not the app
The single most useful thing to understand is that BIMI is decided by the recipient's mailbox provider, not the app they read mail in. What matters is where the inbox actually lives (Gmail, Yahoo, an Apple/iCloud account), not whether someone opens it in the Apple Mail app, the Gmail app, or a browser.
So if a recipient reads a Gmail mailbox, BIMI is in play for that message. If they read a Microsoft mailbox, it isn't, even if they happen to be using a third-party app. Keep that distinction in mind; it explains most of the confusion.
The three things a certificate can unlock
A BIMI setup can deliver up to three outcomes, and providers differ on which they grant:
- Your logo in place of the default initial avatar.
- A verified checkmark next to your sender name.
- Nothing: the provider doesn't support BIMI.
A quick reminder on the two certificate types (covered fully in what is a VMC): a VMC is backed by a registered trademark; a CMC proves 12 months of logo use instead and is the trademark-free alternative, but it never earns the checkmark.
Provider-by-provider in 2026
Gmail: logo and the blue checkmark
Gmail is the big one, and the most valuable. It supports BIMI with either a VMC or a CMC, but only the VMC activates the blue verified checkmark next to your name. A CMC gets your logo shown as the sender avatar without the checkmark. Gmail is also the strictest provider about configuration, so getting DMARC and your record exactly right matters most here.
If the checkmark is what you're after, that's a Gmail-specific benefit, and a VMC-specific one.
Apple Mail / iCloud: logo only, VMC required
Apple Mail and iCloud Mail display the logo but no checkmark, and they currently require a VMC (they don't accept a CMC). Support applies on recent Apple platforms (iOS 16 / iPadOS 16 / macOS Ventura 13 and later, plus iCloud.com).
Two things worth knowing: Apple's design treats the verified logo itself as the trust signal, so there's no separate badge. And Apple runs its own, separate "Branded Mail" program (via Apple Business Connect) that can show your logo and name in Apple Mail independently of BIMI. It's useful as a supplement, but not a replacement for a VMC.
Because Apple requires a VMC specifically, your choice of Certificate Authority can matter for Apple exposure. Apple has, in the past, stopped accepting certificates from a particular CA over a trust incident.
Yahoo Mail & AOL: logo, no certificate needed
Yahoo and AOL are the most permissive: they can display BIMI logos without any certificate, though there's no checkmark. Don't over-promise here, though. Yahoo tends to limit standard logo display to bulk mail and also weighs sender reputation and engagement, so a valid record alone doesn't guarantee the logo shows.
Fastmail and various regional providers: logo, no certificate
Fastmail displays logos without requiring a certificate. A meaningful long tail of other providers, several of them European, participate in BIMI in some form as well. Behavior and evidence requirements vary, so treat this group as "logo likely, details provider-specific."
Microsoft (Outlook / Microsoft 365): nothing, for now
The notable gap: Microsoft's consumer and business mail (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Exchange Online, Microsoft 365) does not render standard BIMI logos for normal inbound mail. Microsoft has pursued its own proprietary "brand" approach instead of adopting BIMI.
The summary table
| Provider | Logo? | Checkmark? | Certificate needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail | Yes | Yes (VMC only) | VMC or CMC |
| Apple Mail / iCloud | Yes | No | VMC only |
| Yahoo / AOL | Yes | No | None |
| Fastmail | Yes | No | None |
| Microsoft / Outlook | No | No | Not supported |
Why this matters before you buy
The practical takeaway is about your audience mix. A VMC pays off most when a large share of your recipients are on Gmail and Apple Mail: think consumer brands, ecommerce, B2C subscriptions, retail-facing financial services. If most of your mail goes to corporate Microsoft 365 inboxes, BIMI currently does very little for you, because Microsoft doesn't honor it.
That's why an honest first step is to look at where your recipients actually are before committing. It's also why the VMC-versus-CMC decision often comes down to Gmail: if you want the checkmark, it's a VMC; if you mainly want the logo and your audience isn't Gmail-heavy (and Apple Mail doesn't dominate either), a CMC may be enough.
One caveat
Provider behavior in this space changes, and providers adjust their rules without much notice. Treat any support table, including this one, as a snapshot, and validate by sending real messages through your production stream before drawing conclusions.
Frequently asked questions
Does the blue checkmark show in every inbox? No. The blue checkmark is currently Gmail-only. Other providers may show your logo from the same VMC, but without a checkmark.
Will a CMC get me the checkmark? No. A CMC displays your logo in supporting inboxes but never the Gmail checkmark, which requires a VMC tied to a registered trademark.
Does BIMI work in Outlook? Not for standard inbound mail as of 2026. Microsoft hasn't adopted BIMI and uses its own approach instead.
My logo shows in Yahoo but not Gmail. Why? Yahoo can display logos without a certificate, whereas Gmail requires a valid VMC or CMC and strict DMARC. Seeing your logo in Yahoo doesn't mean the setup is complete for Gmail or Apple Mail.
Related guides
BIMI vs VMC: What Is the Difference?
BIMI is the standard that tells inboxes where to find your logo. A VMC is the certificate that proves the logo is yours. Here is how the two fit together.
Is a Registered Trademark Required to Get a VMC?
Yes. A VMC requires a registered trademark from an accepted office. Here is what counts, what does not, and what to do if your mark is pending or missing.
Can One VMC Cover Multiple Domains and Subdomains?
One VMC covers one logo, but it can protect several domains and subdomains. Here is how coverage works, and when you genuinely need a second certificate.