> This page is part of the [Customer.io documentation](https://docs.customer.io). For the complete index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.customer.io/llms.txt). > Last updated: July 10, 2026 # How do I add an avatar/logo to my emails? Inbox avatars appear next to the From name in your recipients’ inboxes. You configure them outside Customer.io through your inbox provider or Gravatar. **Brand avatars**, **sender logos**, and **inbox avatars** all mean the same thing: the small image next to your message in an inbox. If nothing matches the domain or address, many clients show the first letter of the sender name or a generic placeholder. What recipients see depends on their inbox client, not on a setting inside Customer.io. Inbox Provider / Client How Avatars Are Displayed Requirements Notes Gmail (Google Workspace) Google profile image or BIMI Google Workspace profile image or BIMI with DMARC Gmail does not use Gravatar directly. BIMI + VMC/CMC is the most universal option. Apple Mail Apple Branded Mail or BIMI DMARC + Apple Branded Mail setup or BIMI Apple Branded Mail does not require a VMC and only works in Apple Mail clients. Outlook / Hotmail Microsoft profile image Microsoft-hosted mailbox profile image Outlook does not currently support BIMI consistently. Yahoo Mail BIMI DMARC + BIMI Yahoo is one of the earliest BIMI adopters. Fastmail BIMI DMARC + BIMI Supports BIMI logos. Thunderbird Gravatar Gravatar account linked to sending address Uses Gravatar lookups for sender avatars. Spark Mail Gravatar / local contact image Gravatar recommended Third-party clients often support Gravatar even when providers do not. Airmail Gravatar Gravatar account Common with Apple ecosystem users. Postbox Gravatar Gravatar account Pulls avatars from Gravatar service. Superhuman Gravatar / profile sources Gravatar recommended Behavior can vary by connected inbox provider. Any client that doesn’t find a [BIMI](#bimi-for-domain-wide-display) logo, client-hosted profile image, or [Gravatar](#gravatar-for-some-non-webmail-clients) match typically displays a default letter or generic icon. You can learn more about domain authentication and from addresses below: * [Authenticate your domain](/messaging/channels/email/deliverability/authentication/) for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Strong authentication is a prerequisite for BIMI and deliverability. * [Multiple from addresses](/messaging/channels/email/headers/multiple-from-addresses/). Each address may need its own profile image or Gravatar when using those paths. ## Set up a BIMI avatar for your domain BIMI tells supporting inboxes which logo to associate with the domain, regardless of which tool sends the mail. To get started, you need to do the following: 1. Consider your resources: Gmail can require a [Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)](https://bimigroup.org/) tied to a registered trademark for the full BIMI treatment and checkmark. This can be expensive, so make sure you have resources before committing to BIMI. 2. **Authenticate your domain** with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, where DMARC is set to `p=quarantine` or `p=reject`. 3. Host a **logo file** as [SVG Tiny PS](https://bimigroup.org/c/svg/) from a stable HTTPS URL. Then you’ll implement BIMI by publishing a BIMI TXT record (for example at `default._bimi.yourdomain.com`) that points to the SVG and, when applicable, the VMC. The DNS host or your IT team usually adds this after the logo and certificates are ready. For background, see [Litmus on BIMI for email marketers](https://www.litmus.com/blog/what-is-bimi-and-why-should-email-marketers-care/) and [BIMI questions and answers](https://www.emailonacid.com/blog/article/email-marketing/bimi/). ### Add a Gmail profile image when BIMI isn’t in place For a faster, cheaper path that mainly helps **Gmail** when BIMI isn’t in place: 1. Make sure each **From** address used in Customer.io exists as a Google Workspace **user** or **alias**. 2. Set that address’s **Google Account** profile photo to the logo (in the account or Admin console). 3. Allow **24–72 hours** for Gmail to pick it up. ## Gravatar for some non-webmail clients For clients that resolve avatars via Gravatar: [create a Gravatar account](https://en.gravatar.com/), verify your **sender email address**, and upload the image. Updates can take a while to appear everywhere. * * [Set up a BIMI avatar for your domain](#set-up-a-bimi-avatar-for-your-domain) * [Add a Gmail profile image when BIMI isn’t in place](#add-a-gmail-profile-image-when-bimi-isnt-in-place) * [Gravatar for some non-webmail clients](#gravatar-for-some-non-webmail-clients) Copy page Copy page [Download .md](/messaging/channels/email/headers/adding-sender-image.md) Is this page helpful? ![](https://docs.customer.io/images/export-success.png) ![](https://docs.customer.io/images/export-failure.png) # How can we make it better? Close Do you need help from Customer.io support? No Yes What part of Customer.io do you need help with? How can we improve this page? Email (optional): Please provide a valid email address I am not a bot We appreciate your feedback! Our support team will contact you as soon as possible