Abstract:
Verified Mark Certificates (VMCs) enable organizations to display their trademarked logo in email inboxes through BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification). Gmail and Apple Mail require a valid VMC to display logos, while Yahoo Mail shows BIMI logos without VMC validation. Only trademarks registered with 18 approved intellectual property offices are currently supported. Organizations should verify their trademark registration status before implementation, as obtaining registration can take 6-18 months.
Brand indicators in email are no longer a “nice to have.” In a world of phishing, spoofing, and inbox fatigue, customers are making split-second trust decisions. That’s where Verified Mark Certificates (VMCs) come in.
VMCs enable organizations to display their official, trademarked logo directly in supported email inboxes through BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification). When implemented correctly, VMCs help reinforce brand recognition, build trust, and improve engagement.
Not all email platforms handle VMCs the same way, and some important trademark requirements could affect your implementation timeline.
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Gmail remains the most stringent when it comes to VMC display. If you want your trademarked logo to appear next to your emails in Gmail inboxes, a VMC from an approved Certificate Authority (CA) is mandatory. Gmail requires both proper BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) implementation and a valid VMC tied to a registered trademark from a recognized intellectual property office.
Providers that do not currently require a VMC Yahoo Mail currently doesn’t require a VMC for BIMI logo display. If your email authentication is properly configured with DMARC at the enforcement level (quarantine or reject), Yahoo will display your BIMI logo without certificate validation.
This distinction matters. Many organizations see their logo appear in Yahoo inboxes and assume the process is “complete”—only to discover later that Gmail and Apple Mail users see nothing at all.
If Gmail or Apple Mail represents a meaningful portion of your audience (and for most businesses, it does), a VMC becomes essential. While common mark certificates (CMCs) will still display your logo without the trademark, they won’t be eligible for a blue checkmark in Gmail.
Important Note: If your country isn’t listed but your trademark is registered with any of these offices, you may still be eligible for a VMC. For example, a Canadian company with an EU trademark registration through EUIPO can obtain a VMC. Aside from occasional exceptions, most trademarks registered in EU member states may also be registered with the EUIPO.
This list continues to expand as more regional offices are added to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recognition list, but the expansion timeline is controlled by root certificate programs rather than individual Certificate Authorities.
Purchase Verified Mark Certificates
Brand indicators in email are no longer a “nice to have.” In a world of phishing, spoofing, and inbox fatigue, customers are making split-second trust decisions. That’s where Verified Mark Certificates (VMCs) come in.
VMCs enable organizations to display their official, trademarked logo directly in supported email inboxes through BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification). When implemented correctly, VMCs help reinforce brand recognition, build trust, and improve engagement.
Not all email platforms handle VMCs the same way, and some important trademark requirements could affect your implementation timeline.
Purchase Verified Mark Certificates
The Email Client Landscape: Where Your Logo Will Appear
Major providers that require a VMC Some mailbox providers will only display your logo if a VMC is present and your trademark is registered with a recognized intellectual property office:- Gmail
- Apple Mail
- Fastmail
- Other providers aligned with strict BIMI enforcement
Gmail remains the most stringent when it comes to VMC display. If you want your trademarked logo to appear next to your emails in Gmail inboxes, a VMC from an approved Certificate Authority (CA) is mandatory. Gmail requires both proper BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) implementation and a valid VMC tied to a registered trademark from a recognized intellectual property office.
Providers that do not currently require a VMC Yahoo Mail currently doesn’t require a VMC for BIMI logo display. If your email authentication is properly configured with DMARC at the enforcement level (quarantine or reject), Yahoo will display your BIMI logo without certificate validation.
This distinction matters. Many organizations see their logo appear in Yahoo inboxes and assume the process is “complete”—only to discover later that Gmail and Apple Mail users see nothing at all.
If Gmail or Apple Mail represents a meaningful portion of your audience (and for most businesses, it does), a VMC becomes essential. While common mark certificates (CMCs) will still display your logo without the trademark, they won’t be eligible for a blue checkmark in Gmail.
Critical Trademark Office Requirements
This is where many organizations hit unexpected delays. Your VMC won’t work in Gmail or Apple Mail—even with proper implementation—unless your logo trademark is registered with an approved intellectual property office. The following trademark offices are currently supported for VMC validation:| Code | Country/Region | Official Registry |
| AU | Australia | IP Australia |
| BR | Brazil | INPI Brazil |
| BX | Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) | BOIP |
| CA | Canada | CIPO |
| CH | Switzerland | Swiss IPI |
| DE | Germany | DPMA |
| DK | Denmark | Danish Patent and Trademark Office |
| EM | European Union | EUIPO |
| ES | Spain | OEPM |
| FR | France | INPI France |
| GB | United Kingdom | UK IPO |
| IN | India | IP India |
| JP | Japan | JPO |
| KR | Republic of Korea | KIPO |
| NL | Netherlands | BOIP |
| NZ | New Zealand | IPONZ |
| SE | Sweden | PRV |
| US | United States | USPTO |
This list continues to expand as more regional offices are added to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recognition list, but the expansion timeline is controlled by root certificate programs rather than individual Certificate Authorities.
What This Means for Your Business
Before committing to a VMC implementation:- Verify your trademark registration status with one of the approved offices listed above.
- Budget for trademark registration time if you’re not already registered (this can take 6-18 months, depending on the jurisdiction).
- Assess your email volume to Gmail users, since that’s where the greatest impact on brand visibility occurs.
- Consider regional expansion plans that might require additional trademark registrations.
If your brand is ready to stand out securely in the inbox, SSL can help your organization navigate VMC requirements end-to-end, from certificate issuance to understanding provider limitations, so your teams can focus on execution instead of guesswork.
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