What is KakaoTalk?

KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea. It allows users to send messages, make calls, share files, and much more. For businesses, Kakao offers a suite of business communication APIs that allow them to interact with their customers directly through the app.

The main APIs offered by Kakao

KakaoTalk Business allows businesses to use different messaging types depending on the desired communication style. Here's an overview of the three most commonly used APIs:

💬 1. AlimTalk (Message Notification)

AlimTalk is designed for sending informative messages to users who have not necessarily added the company channel as friends.
It is mainly used for:

• Order, delivery, invoicing notifications
• Service or security alerts
• Account or event related information

🔒 AlimTalk messages must be sent using a Kakao- approved template . Promotional content is prohibited.

👥 2. FriendTalk (Promotional Messages)

FriendTalk allows sending free messages (not subject to prior validation) provided that the user has added the company's KakaoTalk channel as a friend .

It is used for:

• Promotions
• Special offers
• News or marketing content

📅 Shipping is restricted to authorized times (often 9am–8pm local time).

🛠️ 3. CS Talk (Customer Support Chat)

CS Talk enables real-time conversation between a human agent (or chatbot) and a customer.
Ideal for:

• After-sales assistance
• Personalized questions
• Technical or commercial support

🤖 Can be integrated into a chatbot or used by human agents via a dedicated interface.

Outgoing messages and Senderkey.

To send messages via AlimTalk (notifications) and FriendTalk (promotional messages) on KakaoTalk, a SenderKey is required.

The SenderKey is a unique authentication key issued by Kakao, which identifies and certifies the sending company.
It is tied to a validated production account and cannot be used with a test account.
This means that it is not possible to test sending outgoing messages via AlimTalk or FriendTalk with a test KakaoTalk account.

It is designed to:

🛡️ Guarantee the security and reliability of messages,

✅ Limit abuse such as spam or unsolicited mailings,

📬 Ensure traceability and compliance with the broadcasting rules specific to each channel.

Without a validated SenderKey, it is impossible to send AlimTalk or FriendTalk messages , even to test numbers. Note that this restriction does not apply to CS Talk , which is a conversational channel activated only with user consent.

Why use KakaoTalk for your business?

📱 Maximum local reach: Over 90% of South Koreans use KakaoTalk.

🛡️ Secure and supervised communication

📈 Very high reading rate

🔌 Seamless API integration for CRM, automation, bots…