What to Set Up Before Launching a KakaoTalk Channel

A KakaoTalk Channel needs more than a profile photo. When customers find it, they should be able to recognize the business, check essential details, and see how to get in touch. Fill out the profile and channel home before making the channel public.

Kakao Business asks you to set a channel name, profile photo, search ID, category, and introduction. It recommends a 640 × 640 px profile image. (Kakao Business: Creating a channel)

Set up the essentials first

• Channel name — Use a name customers will recognize, ideally the brand or business name. You can change it once while the channel has 100 friends or fewer. (Managing a channel)

• Search ID — This is how people find your channel in KakaoTalk. It cannot be changed after registration, so approve the spelling before you create it. (Same guide.)

• Profile photo — Kakao recommends 640 × 640 px. Check the current upload screen for supported formats and file limits.

• Introduction and category — Describe what the business actually offers and choose the category that best fits. (Creating a channel)

If your business requires age verification, review Kakao’s channel setup requirements before choosing the adult channel option. Once selected, you cannot switch back to an all-ages channel. You can start a general channel without business registration, but Kakao may show that the business information is unverified. Check the current document requirements and redact personal information as instructed before submitting verification documents. (Creating a channel)

Set visibility after the profile is ready

Channel settings include separate controls for visibility and search. If visibility is off, people cannot open the channel home or add the channel as a friend. If search is off, the channel is excluded from search results, though people can still open its URL. Save your changes for them to take effect. (Managing a channel)

Before making the channel public, verify the introduction, business hours, and contact details. Add a customer-support phone number or other contact information that someone actually monitors. (Managing a channel)

Check what customers will see before turning on public visibility.

Review the channel-home cards

The channel home can display cards for notices, posts, coupons, chat, and store information. Turn on the cards you plan to use, add their content, and save. A card may not appear if it is switched off or has no content. (Managing a channel)

• Profile — Main image and introduction; add phone and directions for a physical location.

• Notices — The public announcements customers need to see.

• Posts — Published updates and news.

• Basic information — Website, phone number, email, and other useful details.

• Chat — Set expectations for availability and response times.

A business channel may include a business-information card, and some cards cannot be reordered. Certain industries may need permits; if the channel name differs from the registered business name, Kakao may ask for an explanation and supporting documents. Check the current requirements before applying. (Creating a channel; Managing a channel)

A quick pre-launch checklist

Example: a neighborhood café

Imagine a café on the second floor of a side street. Use the name customers see on the sign. Prepare a few search-ID options that are easy to recognize, then have the business owner approve the final spelling. The search ID cannot be changed after registration, so do not leave that decision to an outside agency.

Choose a profile photo that clearly identifies the café. The introduction could say, “Hand-drip coffee on the second floor. Closed on Mondays.” Keep it accurate, and choose the category that reflects the actual business. Only select an adult channel if the business meets Kakao’s requirements for one.

Add a phone number and hours that someone can respond to. Start with the cards customers need, such as the profile, a closure notice, and contact information. If you are not offering a coupon, there is no need to add one. Review the card content and visibility settings, save, and then turn on public visibility and search.

Before launch, check the search ID spelling, business hours, contact details, and which cards are visible. The next article covers AlimTalk and chat support.

References

1. Kakao Business, Creating a channel

2. Kakao Business, Managing a channel