LINE reaches 100 Million users
Just over 19 months ago if you asked someone “Do you have LINE” they might think you’re using some tricksy slang for drugs (probably heroein). But now, after domianting the Japanese markets and being one of the leading contenders with other messaging apps such as: WhatsApp, IMO, KaKao Talk, etc..
While Naver (LINE’s creator) has yet to share details as far as daily or monthly active users LINE’s number put it up there among the top messaging apps to keep an eye on.
If you’ve never heard of LINE, then let me sum it up for you..
- Free voice calls
- Basic messaging with a twist, (sillier emojis and stickers than the rest)
Whether it’s..
- Teddy bears
- Bunnies
- Juggling eggplants
- ..or even PSY from Gangnam style.
While most stickers are free some are paid. Which is what actually turns out to be the secret to the apps tremendous financial success. Naver stated back in july that they were pulling in $3.75 million a month in sticker sales. Evidently the figure is “a lot higher now”, according to Naver USA’s CEO Jeanie Han who wasn’t able (or willing) to share the actual figures.
In addition to the sticker sales, LINE also benefits from advertising revenue streams form major brands. Similar to Twitter, Line also has sponsored brand accounts where RedBull can sign up for accounts that users can befriend or follow. Brands can also sponsor packs of stickers.
Like many other consumer mobile companies that have done well in Japan like GREE and DeNA, Naver wants to take Line global. Which is exactly what’s bringing them to the US, signing up celebrities like Snoop Dogg to attract teens and twenty-somethings.
Sure Facebook Messenger may be leading as the standalone messaging app, but seeing as only 11% of iPhone users in the US actually use messaging apps (as of now) I think there’s plenty of room to grow for everyone.
Kevin is an Online and Mobile Marketing Strategist who has worked with companies of all sizes over the last 6 years. You can follow Kevin on any of the social platforms below.
