The direct answer
You cannot publish your own BIMI record for gmail.com as an individual account holder. BIMI setup requires control of the relevant sending domain’s DNS and authentication.
Is changing my Google profile picture the same thing?
No. An account picture is managed through a different mechanism. It does not give you control of the provider’s domain or establish a BIMI deployment for your personal mailbox.
If the request is simply to show a personal photograph, start with the account’s profile settings and check how recipients see it. Avoid purchasing a mark certificate for a domain you do not control.
What if I send business email through Google?
Distinguish a personal @gmail.com address from a business address on a domain your organisation controls. Using the same email interface does not make those identities equivalent.
For an owned domain, involve its administrator and review the BIMI requirements. The project includes domain authentication, artwork and any required certificate evidence, rather than a switch in an individual user’s mailbox settings.
Sources & further reading
Provider guidance checked on . Requirements can change; check the original guidance when implementing. Planning checklists and examples are BIMI World’s editorial suggestions.