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Download Your Complete Guide to Digital Marketing in South Korea E-Book FREE
Looking to start a digital marketing campaign in South Korea?
Our Complete Guide to Digital Marketing in South Korea will help you understand the South Korean market and what strategies to consider. We have covered everything from popular social media platforms to search engine optimization considerations. So whether you’re just starting out or are looking for ways to improve your current efforts, download our ebook for some valuable insights.
Why Digital Marketing in South Korea is Different
Most of you may be familiar with digital marketing, but in South Korea, the field is quite different from the rest of the world. For one thing, the internet penetration rate is much higher than in other countries, which means that you have to work harder to stand out from the online noise. South Koreans are very receptive to new technology and trends, so you need to be constantly innovating in order to stay ahead of the curve. As a result, the digital marketing landscape in South Korea is dynamic and ever-changing.
On top of that, domestic search engine platforms like Naver and Daum are extremely popular in South Korea compared to Google. SEO on these local platforms is quite different and your SEO strategies for Google will not work here. So, you need to learn how to get your content seen on these platforms. Our guide includes more about these local platforms and how to use them to your advantage.
Why Should You Consider Doing Digital Marketing in South Korea?
With a rich South Korean culture and a thriving economy, it is home to some of the world’s most advanced digital technology and leading brands. South Korea has a large and affluent population, with a strong appetite for new products and services. It is a market where your business can grow with the right strategies.
South Korea has one of the highest levels of internet and smartphone penetration in the world, meaning that there is a large potential audience for online campaigns. As a result, there is a significant market for businesses that can reach consumers through digital channels. Learn how a thorough digital marketing strategy can help your business grow in South Korea from our ebook.
The Power of Social Media Marketing in South Korea
In recent years, social media has become an increasingly important tool for businesses of all sizes. Nowhere is this more apparent than in South Korea, where social media marketing has taken on a new level of importance. Thanks to the high penetration of mobile devices and the widespread use of social networks, your business in South Korea will be able to reach a large number of potential customers at a relatively low cost.
The use of social media platforms such as Naver and KakaoTalk allows you to build relationships with your target audience and create a more personal connection. Incorporating them into your social media strategies has become an essential part of doing business in South Korea.
Who Should Read This Guide?
This guide provides an overview of the South Korean digital landscape, with a focus on the trends and opportunities that exist for businesses looking to reach consumers in this dynamic market. If you’re involved in digital marketing in any capacity, whether that’s as a business owner, a digital marketing manager, or even just a casual observer, then this complete guide to digital marketing in South Korea is essential reading.
We’ll take you through all the different aspects of digital marketing in South Korea, from the most popular platforms and channels to the latest trends and developments. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the digital marketing landscape in South Korea. Whether you’re looking to enter the Korean market for the first time, or simply want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, this guide is for you.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You Can Read in Our Ebook
Insights on Search Engines in South Korea
Naver
Everything you need to know about South Korea’s largest search engine from Naver Blog to Naver Shopping and Naver Pay.
Daum
Learn how this web portal keeps South Korean users engaged with its various services like Daum Cafe.
Kakao
How it reinvented itself as a digital platform and became an integral part of the everyday life of South Korean consumers with services like KakaoTalk, Kakao Pay, and Kakao Bank.
Social Media Marketing in Korea
What’s Trending in South Korea?
The various trends from South Korea on social networking sites (SNS) like Facebook and Instagram.
Marketing Tactics for South Korea
How to maximize your ad campaigns with paid search, banner ads, influencer marketing, etc.
Audience Insights in South Korea
Everything digital marketers need to know about the target audience in South Korea from the internet and smartphone penetration to active social media users.
Challenges in Digital Marketing in South Korea
Challenges faced by businesses in South Korea and how digital marketing agencies can help them.
Download Your Digital Strategies in South Korea E-Book
Search Engines in South Korea
Naver
Naver is the largest search engine used in South Korea with over 60% of the Korean search engine market share. Naver may be a search engine like Google, but the way it works, the way the SERP is structured, and the way the Naver algorithm works are very different. For example, if you want to rank your website on Naver through Naver SEO practices, it would not be worth your time due to the difference in SEO strategies and the potentially negative impact it would have on your Google SEO and rankings. Even if you did rank your website on the Naver SERP, the “websites section” is generally shown lower in the search results, meaning you put in a lot of effort to rank first but your website is actually shown lower in the SERP. This is why all Korean brands maintain a separate Naver Brand Blog using Naver’s Blog CMS. Naver keeps a closed ecosystem and wants you to stay on Naver’s platform, so Naver Blogs are shown at the top of the SERP within the VIEW section.
Naver Blog
The Naver Blog uses a strategic plan on how best you can rank your websites in the Korean community. In fact, using the Naver Blog provides a successful drive in traffic through high-quality content, engagement, and visitors to your website.
Naver Search Ads
Naver provides paid advertising opportunities through their Naver Search Ads, similar to Google Search Ads. Naver Search Ads provides various ad types and placements like Brand Ads, Power Content, Power Links, and more.
Naver GFA
Naver GFA is Naver’s Display Network for Display Advertising. This is a type of performance-based advertising displayed on the main screen, feed, or mobile screen on Naver’s network. There is also an option to place ads on Naver’s Band network without having a separate Naver Band Ad Account, so you could test this platform from within Naver GFA.
Daum Kakao
Daum is another Korean search engine, and while it only takes up approximately 10% of the Korean search engine market share, it is owned by the Kakao Group. It is a web portal that encourages users to interact through forums, webtoons, and other interactive features. Daum is most well-known for its version of a social media network (SNS) called Daum Cafe.
Kakao Display Ads
Kakao Display ads are visible across all related Kakao products such as KakaoTalk, Kakao Story, etc. This is an effective way to reach a larger audience through one platform. It is worth noting that over 70% of the Korean population have downloaded the KakaoTalk app, meaning your potential reach is very high.
Daum Search Ads
Daum has its own version of Search Advertising. Daum may only take up 10% of the search engine market in South Korea, but it can be a great supplementary campaign for your marketing in Korea. Note that Daum’s average audience is older in age, ranging between the 30’s to 50’s age bracket.
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Active Social Media Users in South Korea
South Korea is one of the most WIFI-connected countries in the world with the fastest average internet speed worldwide. Over 49.21 million internet users in South Korea were reported as of January 2020, and it is expected to increase. This is the main reason why we could expect the rise of social media penetration in the country.
According to statistics, active South Korean social media users are about 45.6 million in 2021. It is equivalent to 89.3% of the total population of South Korea in January 2021. This number is expected to reach closer to 48 million in the coming years. This is a fairly large market in which a company should establish its presence.
South Korean social media users are constantly growing with the country’s own social networks competing neck to neck with international social media giants. In 2018, the most frequently used social media platform in Korea was Facebook. As a matter of fact, KakaoStory is the next in line, beating Instagram and Twitter.
E-Commerce Platforms in South Korea
South Korean users engage in a vast amount of online shopping. Hence, the South Korean e-commerce platform has many diverse websites to meet the high demand for online shopping. These e-commerce platforms meet customer demands with various products and high-speed delivery services.
The e-commerce industry is ever-changing with different platforms gaining popularity over time. There are many e-commerce platforms like Coupang, 11th Street, and Gmarket. Their market shares change only by a fraction.
Learn Everything About Digital Marketing In South Korea
South Korea is a powerhouse when it comes to digital marketing. With some of the highest smartphone and internet penetration rates in the world, companies in South Korea are at the forefront of digital marketing trends. If you want to learn about digital marketing in South Korea, there are a few key things you need to know.
First, social media is huge in South Korea. Companies use social media platforms like KakaoTalk and Naver to connect with customers and promote their products and services. In addition, search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) are also important for companies looking to reach consumers in South Korea.
Another key aspect of digital marketing in South Korea is mobile marketing. With such high smartphone penetration rates, it’s essential for companies to have a mobile-friendly website and use mobile advertising to reach consumers. Additionally, data-driven marketing is also becoming increasingly important in South Korea as businesses look to obtain insights into consumer behavior.
If you want to learn about digital marketing in South Korea, these are a few key things you need to know. By understanding the landscape, you can better tailor your digital marketing strategy to reach consumers in this market.
Learn everything you need to enter the Korean market successfully with our Complete Guide to Digital Marketing in South Korea Ebook!
Download Your Digital Strategies in South Korea E-Book
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Digital Marketing in South Korea Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. South Korea boasts the fastest internet speeds in the world with one of the highest internet penetration rates in a population. As the most WIFI-connected country in the world, your potential reach is exceptionally high. Add to the fact that over 90% of the population shop online, South Korea can be an extremely profitable market for any business.
How is Digital Marketing in South Korea Different From Other Countries?
South Korea’s digital landscape is very different from what many non-Koreans may be used to. For example, Google is not the biggest search engine in Korea; Naver is the biggest search engine in Korea, taking up over 60% of the search engine market share. Learn everything you need to know about digital marketing in South Korea through our free ebook guide.