In Korean B2B and B2C marketing, KakaoTalk business messaging is a core channel. It splits into two categories with different legal treatment.
알림톡
- **Purpose**: Informational — order/delivery/payment/booking confirmations - **Consent**: Not required (existing transaction) - **Opt-out**: Legally disallowed - **Sending**: Template pre-approval required - **Providers**: NHN Cloud, Bizm, Infobank, other PGs
친구톡
- **Purpose**: Promotional — campaigns, new products, coupons - **Consent**: Required (정보통신망법) - **Opt-out**: Must provide free, easy link - **Time window**: No sends 9 PM – 8 AM - **Providers**: Kakao channel + 알림톡 PGs
Confusing them = legal trouble
Sending promotional content disguised as informational incurs fines. "Sale announcement" sent via 알림톡 is a legal violation. Distinguish clearly.
Practical tips
- SaaS like Channel.io, Cafe24, Imweb automate the split - Payments/delivery: 알림톡. Events/newsletters: 친구톡. Keep them separate