Blue verification badge comes to Gmail

O Twitter and Social media coordinator are no longer the only online services that use blue checkmarks. O Google adopted a similar check icon for use by brands in the gmail, representing an important step towards the security and authenticity of emails.

The importance of the blue check mark

Last Wednesday (3), the blog of Google released a post which highlighted the importance of the blue seal of verification (blue ribbon) to ensure the authenticity of the emails sent. According to the publication, this authentication is essential to help users and security systems to identify and block spam, in addition to allowing senders to enjoy the trust of their brand.

In 2021 the Google introduced the protocolBrand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) (Brand Indicators for Message Identification, in free translation)” that shows the validated logo of a brand in the slot avatar of each email sent, in exchange for adopting strong authentication. With that, the gmail increased user confidence in incoming emails and decreased the amount of spam and fraudulent messages.

Now, the Google is building on this initiative by adding the blue seal icon next to the brand name in emails. This measure plans to further increase users' confidence in the sender and make the email experience safer and more reliable for everyone.

By adopting the blue seal of verification, what happens automatically for those who already use the protocol BIMI na platform of Google workspace, senders are able to increase trust in email sources. In addition, authentication also contributes to strengthening the brand, as users begin to associate it with a seal of security and reliability.

Tutorial for using the BIMI protocol

BIMI is a new email standard that is constantly evolving and undergoing updates. The BIMI setup process may require advanced technical knowledge. If you are not an IT administrator or have no email experience, we recommend considering using a third-party service to configure BIMI in your organization.

To register with BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) do Google, follow the steps mentioned in your support page:

• Access your domain provider's login information: BIMI is activated on your domain provider, and not in google admin console, you will need your domain provider login information. If you need help identifying your domain provider, visit Identify your domain host;
• Register your brand logo as a registered trademark: BIMI uses verified brand certificates (CMV) to verify brand logo ownership. Search for your organization's logo on website World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to find out if it is listed as an active trademark. After verifying that your logo is a registered trademark, contact your certification authority (CA) DigiCert ou Trust to request a CMV;
• Understanding DNS TXT records: To configure the BIMI on your domain, you need to add a record (TXT) of text DNS in the domain provider's management console. TXT records are used to provide information about your domain to servers and other external sources. For more details on how to add TXT records, refer to the specific information about TXT records;
• Configure DMARC for BIMI: A Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Compliance (DMARC) is a fraud protection that confirms the records SPF (Sender Policy Framework) to DKIM (Mail Identified by DomainKeys), and determines how misaligned emails should be handled. For detailed information on filling in registry values ​​and creating your DMARC policy, see here;
• Create and upload tag file in SVG format: Your brand logo needs to be a file Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) that you upload to your domain's public server. For more details, see Google's guidelines; 

Learn which other platforms use the verification badge

The blue seal of verification has already become commonplace on several platforms, with the gmail one of the latest services to adopt it. However, the Twitter was one of the first social networks to use it, with the launch of TwitterBlue in Brazil in February. O tinder also offers the option to check account, as TikTok, Pinterest e YouTube.

Furthermore, the LinkedIn offer a stamp to authenticate the users' work location, which can be used through a corporate email or the Microsoft Enter. The platforms of Meta such as Facebook and Social media coordinator, also have ways to authenticate people's profiles.

Recently, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta will begin offering a system called “Goal Verified", similar to TwitterBlue. Prices vary between US$ 11,99 (about R$ 61) in the web version and US$ 14,99 (close to R$ 78) in the version for Android e iOS.

In summary, the use of the blue seal of authentication becomes increasingly important in a digital world where security and credibility are paramount. By adopting this feature, platforms and companies demonstrate their commitment to the authenticity of information and users, becoming references in trust and transparency.

Furthermore, the presence of the verification badge helps users to easily identify legitimate accounts and messages, thus avoiding exposure to fraud and scams. For these reasons, it is recommended that companies and users make use of this feature to protect their online identities and reputations.

Learn more

Source: PCMag, The Verge, Google

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (04 / 05 / 23)