Gmail’s blue verified checkmark is an exciting new Google Workspace security update and you should get your hands on it as soon as you can! Google has been making significant progress in its email security infrastructure, becoming the talk of the town yet again with this recent update.
In 2021, Google adopted BIMI – Brand Indicators for Message Identification, an email authentication protocol that allows brands to append their trademarked logos to commercial emails. This provides a way for recipients to visually confirm the identity and authenticity of email senders. But how can you take it to the next level and get the blue verified checkmark? Let’s find out.
What is Gmail’s Blue Verified Checkmark?
Blue verified checkmarks in Gmail appear only against the names of email senders who have implemented BIMI with VMC. While BIMI is a visual authentication standard that enables brand logos to appear in emails, VMC – Verified Mark Certificate is an indication that the brand has authority over the displayed logo.
BIMI and VMC when combined are proof of an organization’s sincerity, authenticity, and credibility, and Google awards email senders maintaining such a high degree of email security compliance by adding a small blue verified checkmark against the sender’s name in the email.
Who can get Gmail’s Blue Verified Checkmark?
To get a blue verified checkmark in Gmail you must:
- Implement DMARC with an enforced policy of p=quarantine/reject
- Configure BIMI for your domain
- Get a VMC issued for your logo from a trusted certificate authority
Eligibility Criteria for Gmail’s Blue Verified Checkmark
Once your domain’s DMARC is on p=quarantine/reject and you have implemented BIMI for your emails, your next step is to purchase a VMC. Bear in mind that VMCs are issued by certificate authorities and may dig a hole in your pocket, but the benefits you reap are long-term.
Having these 3 criteria in place makes you officially eligible for Gmail’s blue verified checkmark.
Is the Gmail blue tick feature applicable to everyone?
As confirmed by Google, the Gmail blue tick checkmark is applicable to senders who have fulfilled the above requirements and can be seen by all recipients with a personal Gmail account, Google Workspace customers as well those on legacy G Suite basic and business plans.
Is Gmail’s blue tick feature free for users?
While blue tick verified checkmarks are paid verification marks on other platforms like Instagram and Twitter, Gmail’s blue verified checkmark is completely free for senders as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
When will your company domain get Gmail’s blue verified checkmark?
In its nascent stage, the rollout allowed a limited number of Gmail accounts to avail of this new blue tick feature, it is however now available to all company domains that have implemented BIMI and have registered their logos with a VMC purchased from a reliable certificate authority.
The official rollout date as declared on the Google Workspace Updates portal was on 3rd May 2023, with a 1-3 day buffer period for feature visibility.
What does this mean for Gmail senders and receivers?
The Gmail blue tick feature is good news for both Gmail senders and receivers. According to Google, “Strong email authentication helps users and email security systems identify and stop spam, and also enables senders to leverage their brand trust. This increases confidence in email sources and gives readers an immersive experience, creating a better email ecosystem for everyone.”
Gmail’s blue verified checkmarks will help brands distinguish themselves easily and instantly from their competitors, spammers, and domain impersonators.
As for recipients, this is a great way to differentiate between fake emails sent from forged domains and authentic companies.
How to get BIMI and VMC for Gmail’s Blue Verified Checkmark?
For small businesses and enterprises who want to take advantage of Gmail’s blue checkmark but have no clue where to start, this is your chance! PowerDMARC provides hosted BIMI services that will help you get started with BIMI faster than you can say spaghetti!
When you onboard with us and register your domain, our email authentication experts handle the rest for you for a seamless, hassle-free experience. Moreover, by signing up with PowerDMARC you can get your VMC directly from us, thanks to our partnership with renowned US-based certificate authority – DigiCert.
Already a PowerDMARC customer? Here’s how you can get your Gmail blue verified checkmark:
If you are already registered with us and have reached DMARC enforcement for your emails, this can be your opportunity to get your hands on Gmail’s blue verified checkmark! Check whether BIMI is activated on your plan and your logo is uploaded. If you don’t have a VMC for your logo get in touch with our experts today. Once you have these in place, your customers should be able to see the blue tick against your name in their inboxes.
We highly recommend businesses looking to upscale their emailing experience by adopting strong authentication practices to make the most of Gmail’s new update, while we assist them throughout the process.
Contact us today to get your Gmail blue verified checkmark!
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