Websites using Linecorp

Okay, let s break down Line Corporation, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing (where applicable), and customer care details.

Overview of LINE Corporation

• What it is: LINE Corporation is a Japanese-Korean internet company best known for its LINE messaging app. It s more than just a messaging app, though. It s a comprehensive platform offering a wide range of services, including:
  • Messaging: Text, voice, video calls, group chats.
  • Social Networking: Timeline feature for sharing updates, photos, and videos.
  • Digital Wallet and Payments: LINE Pay for mobile payments.
  • News and Information: LINE News feed.
  • Entertainment: LINE Games, LINE Manga, LINE Music.
  • AI and Cloud Services: LINE CLOVA (AI assistant), LINE Cloud.
  • Commerce: LINE Shopping, LINE Gift.
• History: Founded in 2000 as Hangame Japan Corporation, it later became NHN Japan Corporation. The LINE app was launched in 2011 in response to the aftermath of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, as a way to communicate when traditional infrastructure was disrupted. It quickly gained popularity, particularly in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia. In 2021, LINE Corporation merged with Yahoo! Japan (operated by Z Holdings), creating one of the largest internet companies in Japan.
• Key Markets: Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia. While available globally, its user base is concentrated in these regions.
• Target Audience: A broad audience, from individuals using the messaging app for personal communication to businesses leveraging the platform for marketing, commerce, and customer service.

Revenue

• How LINE Generates Revenue:

  • Advertising: A significant portion of revenue comes from advertising on the LINE app and its related services (LINE Ads Platform). This includes display ads, sponsored stickers, and other promotional content.
  • Content Sales: Sales of digital content like stickers, themes, and in-app purchases for games.
  • LINE Pay: Transaction fees from LINE Pay usage and related financial services.
  • Commerce: Revenue from LINE Shopping and other e-commerce activities.
  • LINE Official Accounts: Subscription fees and advertising revenue from businesses using LINE Official Accounts to connect with customers.
  • AI and Cloud Services: Revenue from LINE CLOVA and LINE Cloud services.

• Specific Revenue Figures: Since the merger with Yahoo! Japan and the formation of Z Holdings, standalone revenue figures for LINE Corporation are no longer publicly reported in the same way. The financials are now integrated into Z Holdings overall reporting. You would need to look at Z Holdings financial reports to get an understanding of the combined entity s performance, but isolating the exact contribution of the LINE portion is difficult.

Alternatives to LINE

The best alternative depends on what features you prioritize. Here s a breakdown:

• For Messaging:
  • WhatsApp: Globally popular, end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls.
  • Telegram: Focus on privacy and security, large group chats, channels, bots.
  • Signal: Open-source, end-to-end encryption, highly regarded for privacy.
  • WeChat: Dominant in China, comprehensive platform (messaging, payments, social).
  • Facebook Messenger: Integrated with Facebook, widely used.
  • iMessage (Apple): For Apple users, seamless integration across devices.
  • KakaoTalk: Popular in South Korea.
  • Viber: Offers calling plans.
• For Social Networking:
  • Facebook: The largest social network.
  • Instagram: Focus on visual content.
  • Twitter: Microblogging platform.
• For Payments:
  • PayPal: Widely accepted online payment system.
  • Apple Pay: For Apple users.
  • Google Pay: For Android users.
  • Other regional mobile payment solutions.

Pricing

• LINE App (Core Messaging): The core LINE messaging app is free to download and use for basic messaging, voice, and video calls.
• LINE Stickers and Themes: Some stickers and themes are free, but many are available for purchase. Prices vary.
• LINE Games: Free to download, but often with in-app purchases for virtual items or to progress faster.
• LINE Official Accounts (for Businesses): LINE Official accounts have different pricing tiers, usually based on the number of messages sent per month. Higher tiers offer more features and higher messaging limits. Prices vary significantly based on the region and plan. You would need to check the LINE for Business website in your specific region for the most up-to-date pricing information.
• LINE Pay: Typically, there are no fees for users to make payments with LINE Pay. Businesses may be charged transaction fees.
• LINE Cloud/LINE CLOVA: Pricing for these services depends on the specific usage and features required. Contact LINE for enterprise pricing.

Customer Care Details

• LINE App Help Center: The primary source of support for LINE app users. You can access it through the LINE app itself (usually under Settings > Help or Settings > About LINE > Help).
• LINE for Business Support: If you are using LINE Official Accounts or other business services, there is a dedicated support portal for business users. This often includes FAQs, documentation, and contact forms. You can usually find the link to this support on the LINE for Business website in your region.
• Website:
  • While the main LINE Corporation website might not have direct customer support contact information, it often links to the relevant help centers and support portals.
• Social Media: While not a primary support channel, LINE may have social media accounts (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) where you can try to reach out for general inquiries. However, do not share sensitive information via social media.
• Specific Instructions to Find Help:
  1. In the LINE app: Go to Settings.
  2. Look for options like Help, FAQ, Support, or About LINE.
  3. Browse the help topics or search for your specific issue.
  4. If you can t find an answer, look for a Contact Us or Inquiry option to submit a support request.
• Important Note: Response times from customer support can vary depending on the region and the complexity of the issue. Be prepared to provide detailed information about your problem, including screenshots if possible.

In Summary

LINE is a powerful platform, especially in its core markets. While standalone financials are now integrated into Z Holdings, its impact remains significant. For users, the core messaging app is free, while businesses have various pricing options for accessing advanced features. Customer support is primarily accessed through the app s help center and dedicated portals for business services. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific features you need and the region where you ll be using it.