Grow your presence in Korea with new support for KakaoTalk

As a marketer, connecting with consumers on the channels and platforms they use most is a no-brainer. You’re likely already reaching customers via email and web, but expanding into global markets requires a more localized approach. While messaging apps and channels like WhatsApp or SMS might dominate other regions, in South Korea, the clear leader is KakaoTalk. Boasting a 97% penetration rate, this app is the "life infrastructure" of the region. For global brands looking to win in the Korean market, having a presence on KakaoTalk is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Meet your customers where they are with KakaoTalk

KakaoTalk is South Korea’s flagship messaging app, with nearly 49 million active users in the country. Because it can touch so many parts of people’s lives—from making payments and shopping to sending small gifts to friends—it has become a direct and intimate channel for brands to connect with their high-value customers.

In fact, with double-digit growth in business messaging sales recently reported by Kakao Corporation, it is clear that users are increasingly looking to interact with brands on the platform. The average consumer spends nearly half an hour on the app per session, giving marketers a massive opportunity to capture their undivided attention and drive strong engagement. However, because KakaoTalk is a personal space, “one-size-fits-all” marketing won't cut it. Marketers need to be relevant, not intrusive. Braze makes this possible by using real-time data to create tailored messages at scale—all while supporting your efforts to keep your KakaoTalk presence stays in sync with your other digital channels and touchpoints. Read on to learn more about how to create deeper connections on the channel with Braze.

Foster more meaningful connections with your mobile-first customers on KakaoTalk

Successfully engaging consumers in South Korea takes more than just being present on the app; it requires brands to deliver a seamless, relevant experience that feels authentic to each consumer. By leveraging the Braze platform, marketers can easily set up the KakaoTalk channel and use our message composer to send rich, personalized KakaoTalk messages while seamlessly incorporating this mobile channel into their broader cross-channel journeys.

1. Set up and scale your KakaoTalk marketing with ease

We believe that expanding your reach shouldn't require a heavy technical lift. With the Braze platform’s quick and secure integration, marketing teams of all skill sets and sizes can quickly stand up and scale their KakaoTalk program—minimal technical lift required.

Streamline your setup with in-dashboard provider management and one-time credential entry. Once connected, you can easily create, test, and send messages with our intuitive, no-code message composer. Whether you are sending text, images, wide images, or wide item list messages, you can launch with confidence by using our visual previewer and real-time test messages.

2. Create connections with personalized messages that resonate and convert

On a highly personal channel like KakaoTalk, consumers expect interactions to be as relevant as a message from a friend. To cut through the noise, your brand needs to move beyond "batch-and-blast" tactics and deliver experiences that truly resonate. Braze empowers you to leverage your rich first-party data to send highly personalized, targeted campaigns that drive real results.

Using dynamic content personalization, you can embed product recommendations, loyalty points, real-time alerts, and more directly into your ChinguTalk messages*. By targeting granular segments based on actual customer behaviors and preferences, your messages feel helpful rather than promotional, which is key to driving long term relationships. Plus, Braze click-tracking allows you to intelligently retarget customers based on how they engaged; imagine nurturing readers who clicked your KakaoTalk message with a follow-up story, while using push or email to re-engage those who didn't.

*ChinguTalk messages allow you to message your KakaoTalk Friends who follow your channel on the platform.

3. Deliver consistent experiences across KakaoTalk and other channels

To take your strategy to the next level, KakaoTalk needs to work in harmony with the rest of your marketing channels. Using Braze Canvas, our intuitive journey orchestration tool, you can build seamless cross-channel journeys that pair KakaoTalk with push, email, web, and paid media. You’re not only optimizing spend by reaching customers on the most effective channel—you’re also delivering a more consistent, connected brand experience.

For example, marketers can use Braze Audience Sync to dynamically suppress paid ads the moment a customer converts on KakaoTalk, optimizing your spend and ensuring a unified brand voice across every touchpoint.

How brands are engaging with customers on KakaoTalk

Brands use KakaoTalk to connect with customers throughout the entire lifecycle—from initial activation to monetization and long-term retention.

• Retail: Drive incremental revenue by sending targeted messages for abandoned carts, flash sales, and new product promotions directly to a user's chat list.

• Media: Boost retention by delivering re-engagement campaigns and personalized content recommendations based on what a user has previously watched or read.

• Financial Services: Enhance the customer experience by triggering onboarding campaigns for new app users or sending personalized promotions based on the customer’s spending habits and behaviors.

Key Takeaway

By leveraging Braze for KakaoTalk, you can swiftly set up and scale your marketing efforts in South Korea. From flash sales to personalized content recommendations, it’s now possible to reach your customers on their preferred channel with the same level of sophistication and data-driven strategy you implement for the rest of your marketing mix.

Ready to transform your customer engagement strategy in South Korea? Learn more here.