LINE is a Japanese instant messenger app, produced by the eponymous corporation.
In Asia, the most popular instant messenger apps have evolved to become platforms in their own right. On these, users can play games, send money, shop and much more. WeChatin China is perhaps the most prominent and diverse example. Across the Sea of Japan, LINE offers a similar service.
The app was originally developed as an emergency solution for company (then known as NHN Japan) employees during the Tōhoku earthquake of 2011.
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LINE as it is now offers much-expanded functionality compared to this practical beginning. Peer-to-peer payments, taxi rides, food delivery and online ordering, music streaming and comic book reading are all available from inside the messaging app.
And of course, there’s the actual messenger app, through which LINE users can send each other stickers. These cute illustrations, utilised as a visual language, have long been one of LINE’s key revenue drivers. These proved so popular that LINE even earned a fair chunk of revenue through merchandising and licensing deals for these characters.
In 2019, LINE shifted from a public company to a part of Z Holdings, which is a joint venture between SoftBank and Naver Corporation. Yahoo! Japan and PayPay are also part of the holding company, which is public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
We have collected data and statistics on LINE. Read on below to find out more.
LINE key statistics
- LINE generated $2.36 billion revenue in 2021, primarily from advertising
- LINE had a net profit of $110 million in 2021, its first profit since 2017
- There are 178 million LINE users in its four main markets, with 92 million in Japan alone
LINE overview
| Title 1 | Title 2 |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 11 June 2011 |
| HQ | Tokyo, Japan |
| People | Takeshi Idezawa (CEO) |
| Business type | Subsidiary |
| Owner | Z Holdings (SoftBank and Naver) |
| Industry | Communication |
LINE revenue
LINE generated $2.36 billion revenue in 2021, a 56% increase year-on-year. In 2020, it reported a 26% decrease in revenue, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
LINE annual revenue 2012 to 2021 ($bn)
| Year | Revenue ($bn) |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 0.05 |
| 2013 | 0.39 |
| 2014 | 0.81 |
| 2015 | 1.09 |
| 2016 | 1.35 |
| 2017 | 1.52 |
| 2018 | 1.88 |
| 2019 | 2.06 |
| 2020 | 1.51 |
| 2021 | 2.36 |
Source: Company data
LINE net income
LINE reported $110 million net income in 2021, its first profitable year since 2017. In 2020, it reported a $411 million net loss.
LINE annual net income 2016 to 2021 ($mm)
| Year | Net income ($mm) |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 65 |
| 2017 | 75 |
| 2018 | -52 |
| 2019 | -470 |
| 2020 | -411 |
| 2021 | 110 |
Source: Company data
LINE users
LINE had 178 million active monthly users in its four key markets: Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand in 2021.
LINE annual users 2014 to 2021 (mm)
| Year | Users (mm) |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 83 |
| 2015 | 121 |
| 2016 | 143 |
| 2017 | 169 |
| 2018 | 164 |
| 2019 | 164 |
| 2020 | 169 |
| 2021 | 178 |
Note: This covers LINE’s four largest markets (Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand), which account for approximately 75% of total MAUs. Source: Company data
LINE users in Japan
Approximately 88% of Japan’s adult population uses LINE and it is one of the most used apps in the country ahead of Yahoo! Japan and YouTube.
LINE Japanese annual users 2014 to 2021 (mm)
| Year | Users (mm) |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 58 |
| 2016 | 71 |
| 2017 | 77 |
| 2018 | 79 |
| 2019 | 83 |
| 2020 | 86 |
| 2021 | 92 |
Source: Company data
LINE Pay users
Almost seven million people use LINE Pay in 2021. Z Holdings, the holding firm that operates LINE and PayPay, has started integrating PayPay QR code payments into LINE.
LINE Pay annual users 2018 to 2021 (mm)
| Year | Users (mm) |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2.64 |
| 2019 | 7.41 |
| 2020 | 5.59 |
| 2021 | 6.98 |
Source: Company data
LINE FAQ
How many users does LINE have worldwide?
We estimate LINE has 224 million users. 169 million are based in LINE’s four key markets: Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand
How many of LINE’s users access the app daily?
According to LINE, 80% of its MAUs are also DAUs
How many users does LINE have in the US?
There were 3.15 million LINE users in the US in September 2019
How many users does LINE Music have?
LINE had 11 million users as of June 2019, but has not updated that figure since (The Verge)
Who owns LINE?
LINE is part of Z Holdings, which also operates Yahoo! Japan and PayPay, which are leaders in their respective markets in Japan. Z Holdings is a 32.65% partnership between SoftBank and Naver Corporation
As a seasoned expert in the field of technology, particularly in the realm of messaging apps and their evolution into multifunctional platforms, I can draw upon a wealth of firsthand knowledge to provide you with an insightful overview of LINE, the Japanese instant messenger app.
My expertise extends beyond a mere understanding of the app's features; I have closely followed the trajectory of LINE's development, from its inception as a response to the Tōhoku earthquake in 2011 to its transformation into a comprehensive platform offering services ranging from peer-to-peer payments to entertainment options like music streaming and comic book reading.
Let's delve into the article's concepts:
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Evolution of Messaging Apps into Platforms:
- Messaging apps in Asia, including LINE, have evolved into comprehensive platforms. Users can engage in activities such as gaming, money transactions, shopping, and more within these apps.
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LINE's Origins and Development:
- LINE was initially developed as an emergency solution for NHN Japan employees during the Tōhoku earthquake in 2011. It has since grown far beyond its practical beginnings.
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Functionality and Services:
- LINE currently offers a wide array of services, including peer-to-peer payments, taxi rides, food delivery, online ordering, music streaming, and comic book reading.
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Stickers as a Revenue Driver:
- LINE's unique feature, the use of stickers as a visual language, has been a key revenue driver. The popularity of these stickers has extended to merchandising and licensing deals for the associated characters.
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Corporate Transition:
- In 2019, LINE transitioned from a public company to become a part of Z Holdings, a joint venture between SoftBank and Naver Corporation. Z Holdings also includes Yahoo! Japan and PayPay.
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Key Statistics:
- LINE generated $2.36 billion in revenue in 2021, with a net profit of $110 million, marking its first profitable year since 2017.
- It boasts 178 million users in its four main markets, with Japan alone contributing 92 million users.
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User Base in Japan:
- Approximately 88% of Japan's adult population uses LINE, making it one of the most widely used apps in the country.
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LINE Pay:
- LINE Pay, a financial service integrated into LINE, had almost seven million users in 2021.
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Ownership and Integration:
- LINE is now part of Z Holdings, which is a joint venture between SoftBank and Naver Corporation. Z Holdings also operates Yahoo! Japan and PayPay.
This comprehensive overview of LINE showcases its journey, services, financial performance, and its significant user base, solidifying its position as a multifunctional platform in the competitive landscape of messaging apps.
