New 'content-type channel home' lets partners tailor layout by industry

'Card-type posts' support up to 40 photos and videos

A promotional image for the new "content-type channel home" feature introduced by Kakao for KakaoTalk channels [Kakao]
A promotional image for the new "content-type channel home" feature introduced by Kakao for KakaoTalk channels [Kakao]

Kakao is overhauling its KakaoTalk channel service to improve usability, introducing a new screen that lets users browse posts and short-form videos at a glance and adding support for attaching up to 40 photos and videos per post.

Kakao announced Tuesday that it had redesigned the "channel home" and "posts" features of KakaoTalk channels. The changes are intended to give business partners more flexibility in tailoring their channels to their industry and operating style, while making it easier for users to browse a variety of content.

The centerpiece of the update is a new layout option called the "content-type channel home," which displays a channel's posts and short-form content in a grid feed. Users can watch a piece of content and then swipe up or down to continue browsing other posts from the same channel.

Kakao said the addition expands the options available to channel partners, who can now choose between the existing standard layout and the newly introduced content-type layout when presenting their posts.

Partners can also customize their channel profiles and shortcut buttons. A channel can be introduced through a profile photo, a description and a category tag, while business channels can set a background using photos, videos or colors. Shortcut buttons can be configured to match the functions a channel offers, such as coupons, reservations or phone calls.

The update also introduces "card-type posts," which allow partners to attach up to 40 photos and videos — showcasing new products, store scenes or event coverage — and let users swipe left and right through them. A link and a location tag can each be added as well. Partners who want to share longer, more detailed information can still use the existing "blog-type post" format.

The post-creation process has also been streamlined, consolidating editing, preview and publishing settings onto a single screen.

Meanwhile, Kakao expanded eligibility for business channel conversion beyond registered businesses to include individuals holding professional certifications. Partners who pass a review and receive approval can use a newly added "career card" feature to introduce their areas of expertise and communicate with channel followers.

"We redesigned the channel home and posts screen so that channel content can be presented more richly and users can browse a variety of posts with ease," said Hwang Jun-yeon, domain leader at Kakao Business. "We will continue to refine the service so that partners and users can communicate conveniently on KakaoTalk channels."


chami@heraldcorp.com