Messaging apps are always looking for new ways to monetize their services. WhatsApp charges a small subscription fee (and abhors advertising within its app), WeChat and LINE have in-app content available for purchase. Even Skype monetizes its service through advertisements shown to the user on Windows 7 and Windows 8.
KakaoTalk is joining Skype in that manner as a press release reveals that the company has made a deal with a digital marketing company called IGAWorks to bring its adPOPcorn mobile ads to the KakaoTalk service. In addition, the company will also provide the service to KakaoTalk game developers.
“The new adPOPcorn-installed KakaoTalk will not only bring additional revenues to game publishers and developers, but will also beef up the service’s cross-promotional opportunities while leveraging KakaoTalk’s massive traffic,” said Heita Miyoshi, executive vice president, IGAWorks. “With this partnership, adPOPcorn will substantially cover most of South Korea’s mobile traffic, thus becoming a ‘one-stop marketing gateway’ to East Asia.”
Launched in 2010, KakaoTalk currently boasts 90 million registered users across Windows Phone, iOS, BlackBerry, and Android, making it one of the world’s most popular. What do you think, though? Would you mind advertisements in your favorite messaging application?