'KakaoTalk Guide' attracts 28 million visitors in a year... Must capture the elderly to become the 'National Messenger'

91 Million Total Content Views in One Year... 110 Pieces of Content
'The Easier Kakaotalk Guide' Helping Digital Disadvantaged

Kakao is putting effort into helping digitally vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, adapt to KakaoTalk. This is interpreted as an intention to increase accessibility to KakaoTalk, the national messenger, and strengthen its market share.

According to Kakao on the 17th, as of April, the cumulative number of visitors to the site 'KakaoTalk Manual,' which introduces new KakaoTalk features and usage methods, reached 28 million. This result was achieved in just over a year since the site was launched in April last year, with a total of 91 million content views and 110 pieces of content during the same period.

Kakao introduced the KakaoTalk Manual so that anyone can use KakaoTalk easily and safely. The page explains various functions available on KakaoTalk, such as 'Using KakaoTalk Search,' 'Adjusting Font Size,' and 'Sending Voice Messages,' and provides 'KakaoTalk Lab,' where users can try features before their official release.

In May, Kakao also created the 'Easier KakaoTalk Manual' page. It features Easy-Read explanations using simple language and illustrations to help digitally vulnerable users understand. It is organized from 'Getting Started with KakaoTalk,' which covers app installation, adding friends, and creating accounts, to 'Usage Methods by Situation,' including using emoticons and sending gifts. Additionally, it includes 'Protecting Yourself Safely,' which offers tips for situations such as when strangers contact you or when reporting is necessary. Kakao also provides downloadable files to support offline education.

A Kakao representative said, "The KakaoTalk Manual is intended to inform all users about new features and usage tips," adding, "The Easier KakaoTalk Manual enhances accessibility so that digitally vulnerable groups such as people with developmental disabilities, low vision, and seniors can use basic functions well."

The efforts to improve KakaoTalk's accessibility and usage are closely related to the fact that the number of users is decreasing to an extent that undermines its title as the national messenger. According to data from mobile big data company IGAWorks, KakaoTalk's monthly active users (MAU) decreased by 115,313 in the first half of this year. This is due to the emergence of alternative messengers like Instagram, and Kakao has chosen to attract digitally vulnerable users to compensate for this.

Attempts to strengthen KakaoTalk are expected to continue. At the Q2 earnings presentation, Jeong Shin-ah, CEO of Kakao, defined KakaoTalk and artificial intelligence (AI) as core to future growth. CEO Jeong stated, "We will define businesses that lack relevance to the KakaoTalk platform and AI as non-core and accelerate efficiency improvements."