How to Find Your KakaoTalk ID and What You Can Do With It

Would you like to learn how to find your KakaoTalk ID or create a new KakaoTalk account? With a Kakao ID, users can connect with their friends, follow their favorite celebrities, find real-time answers to burning questions, and even make payments. If you are a brand that is thinking of entering the South Korean market, then a KakaoTalk account will be crucial to reach your target audience and should be a part of your digital marketing efforts. So if you are an existing user that has not logged in to your Kakao account in a while, we will show you how to find your unique KakaoTalk ID. If you are new, we will show you how to create a new account. Let’s get started!

KakaoTalk: The Most Used Messaging App in South Korea

KakaoTalk, also known as KaTalk for short, is the most popular messaging app used in South Korea with over 53 million monthly active users as of 2022. 47 million out of them are from South Korea where the app has achieved a 96.9% market penetration among smartphone users. To put that into context, the next two messaging apps are Instagram at 35.4% and Facebook Messenger at 9.5% according to a study by Statista. 

For many Koreans, the KakaoTalk app is not just for keeping in touch with their friends using texts, voice, and videos but a big part of their digital culture. The app has become part of their language with people saying “I’ll Ka-Talk you later” in casual conversation similar to how people in other parts of the world say “Google it”.  

How to Find Your KakaoTalk ID?

When you create a Kakao account, the KakaoTalk ID is the user name provided for identification instead of a phone number. Those with a KakaoTalk account can search the platform and add their friends using the KakaoTalk ID instead of having to rely on phone numbers. If you have a Kakao account but have forgotten your Kakao Talk ID, then there’s a very simple way of finding it so you can share it with your friends and other contacts. 

First, open your KakaoTalk app and tap on the settings icon in the upper right-hand corner of the interface. Then select ‘General Settings’ from the drop-down menu, and then click on the ‘Settings’ button displayed next to your name. Here you will find your unique identification right under the ‘KakaoTalk ID’ if you have already created one. You can click on ‘KakaoTalk ID’ to change it or make it searchable for other people on the platform. 

How to Create a KakaoTalk ID and a New Kakao Account

If you have not yet created a Kakao account, you can first download the KakaoTalk app on Apple’s App Store, or Google’s Play Store. After the app is installed, the app requests permission to access your phone, storage, and contacts. Once you accept it, choose ‘Sign Up’ from your login options on the next screen. Then you will be taken to the ‘Terms of Service’ page. After ticking off the required boxes, you can click on ‘Agree and Continue’ to proceed. 

Register Your Phone Number

First, you will be prompted to enter a phone number that will get tied to your Kakao account. We recommend you enter a South Korean phone number since it can be verified by Kakao immediately. KakaoTalk will request you to send a verification message to proceed with your account. You do have the option to add an overseas phone number, but most of the app features will be locked until it can be verified, which can take up to a couple of days. After entering your phone number, you will receive the verification code via sms which you can enter. 

Enter A Password

The next step to creating your Kakao account is to enter a new password. Kakao will remind you to include lowercase as well as uppercase letters along with numbers and symbols. Make sure to create a password that fits all the criteria for security so that you can protect your Kakao account. 

Edit Profile Details And Add New KakaoTalk ID

Next, you can add and edit profile information such as your nickname, date of birth, and gender. You can even set an avatar for your account. The final step to unlock the full power of the KakaoTalk app is to create a new KakaoTalk ID for your account. You can do this by going to the settings menu as before and selecting the ‘KakaoTalk ID’ which will display ‘Create ID’ since you haven’t created one yet. Your KakaoTalk ID has to be unique and between 04 to 20 characters long. There are many options to customize it to your liking with upper and lowercase letters as well as numbers and symbols.     

Why You Need a KakaoTalk Account

As KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea, it offers many features for its users. You can call, message, send virtual gifts, make payments, and even advertise. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection to download and start using the app. If you give KakaoTalk access to your contacts, they will automatically get added to your Kakao contacts, making it easier to connect with them. The app can even find people nearby if you grant it access to your location information. You can customize the app with themes, stickers, fonts, and more to make it your own. Many of these features are free. Apart from chatting with friends, KakaoTalk has other functions as well. 

KakaoTalk Features for Regular Users

After creating your KakaoTalk account ID, you will be able to book taxi rides on Kakao T similar to apps like Uber. If you’re new to the country, then Kakao Bus and Subway will be very helpful in providing information on routes, stops, and arrival times for public transportation. KakaoTalk Order is a food delivery service where you can browse restaurant menus, order food items, and have them delivered to your home within 30 to 60 minutes. 

You can purchase products from over 7,000 merchants on KakaoTalk Gift. These include consumer electronics, clothes, and even movie tickets which can be purchased for yourself or your loved ones. Apart from these services, a Kakao account will also allow users to play mobile games, watch tv programs, purchase concert tickets, as well as utilize email and calendar features. So, with just one KakaoTalk ID, you can access various apps and services by Kakao making it convenient for you.

KakaoTalk Business Features

You would have realized by now that platforms like Facebook and Twitter are not the best way to reach the Korean audience for a business or brand entering the country. The best answer to this problem is to create a KakaoTalk Business Channel for your brand. This is how companies build a loyal fanbase since users can follow their favorite brands on KakaoTalk similar to how social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram allow it.

Any upcoming news about new products, photos, videos, and real-time updates can be shared with your followers. You can send your customers special coupons and discounts through direct messages. The Kakao BizBoard will also become available and will allow you to share content with business-to-business (B2B) clients on the platform. You can even run targeted ads on this. 

Want to Enter South Korea with Digital Marketing?

With so much to gain from getting a simple KakaoTalk ID, it is important for any person planning to spend some time in Korea or for a brand entering this market to create a Kakao account and start using this app. If you need a digital marketing expert that is familiar with this landscape and understands how to reach a specific target market, then Inquivix can provide you with the support your brand needs. Whether it is SEO, social media, or paid online advertising, we got it covered. To learn more, visit Inquivix today!

FAQs

Can Non-Koreans Use Kakao?

Of course! You need a valid mobile number to enter and register for a KakaoTalk account but it does not have to be a Korean number. However, certain features might not be available to you depending on your location. In recent years Kakao has expanded its services to other countries as well. So, hopefully, one day everyone will be able to use KakaoTalk without limitations.

Can You Advertise on KakaoTalk?

Yes, KakaoTalk offers businesses an opportunity to advertise on the platform. The KakaoTalk Channel Admin Center allows you to upload customer files and service user IDs to target your advertising and reach your potential customers.