Creating KakaoTalk templates

You can use the KakaoTalk channel of the Conversation API to send AlimTalk messages. AlimTalk messages are sent by businesses to users without adding the user as a friend of the channel.

In order to send AlimTalk messages, you must use a message template that has been registered with, and approved by, KakaoTalk. This article is meant to serve as a general guide for AlimTalk template creation for use with the Conversation API.

Note:

For up-to-date information on template guidelines and requirements, make sure to review KakaoTalk's guidelines. Note that the KakaoTalk documentation is written in Korean.

In addition to the information provided here, Sinch has a dedicated online team and account manager that will be able to assist you in the creation and submission of a template for approval.

When creating a KakaoTalk template for use with the Conversation API, you must configure the following options:

A message type , which determines how the body of your message will appear. You must select a message type when creating a KakaoTalk message template.
An emphasis component , which is a visual element that is included above the main body of your message. The inclusion of an emphasis component in your template is not required.
Up to five buttons (or four additional buttons, depending on your message type selection), which appear below the main body of your message and fulfill various functions. Depending on your message type selection, the inclusion of a pre-defined button in your template may be required.

These options are described in the sections below.

Message types

When creating a KakaoTalk channel-specific template, you must select a template message type.

Note:

Up to five buttons (including any buttons added during message type selection) and one emphasis component can be included in each message type template.

Each message type is described in the table below:

Message type	Description	Requirements and limitations
Basic	This message type template can be used to send a basic message. Variables in the form of `#{YOUR_variable_name}` can be used to dynamically populate portions of the text, and you can include URLs in the text. For example:	You can use up to 1000 characters (including spaces and any characters used in button text) in the main text section.
More information	This message type template can be used to send a message with additional information displayed between the main body of text and any buttons that are included in the message. You may also include an advertisement element in the message if this template is used to send a recurring notification (for example, a credit card bill notification). For more information on the use of advertisement elements in this type of message type template, see KakaoTalk's section on additional information. Note that KakaoTalk's documentation is written in Korean. For example:	You can use up to 1000 characters (including spaces and any characters used in button text) in the main text section. You can use up to 500 characters (including spaces) in the additional text section. You can use up to 80 characters (including spaces) that are explicitly dedicated to the advertisement element of this template. URLs can be included in the additional text section. Variables cannot be used in the additional text section.
Channel add-on	This message type template can be used to send a message with a dedicated button that allows the recipient to add your channel as a friend. Static, non-editable explanatory information is included above the button. For example:	You can use up to 1000 characters (including spaces and any characters used in button text) in the main text section. The channel add-on button is always the top button, and counts against the total number of buttons included in the template. You cannot edit the button text or the explanatory information above the button. While the text on the button itself is displayed according to the app's language settings, the accompanying explanatory text is always in Korean.
Complex	This message type is a combination of the more information and channel add-on message types. Essentially, this message type allows you to add more explanatory text to the channel add-on message type. The additional text is displayed above the static explanatory text of the add-channel button. For example:	There is only one main text section in this message type. You can include a maximum of 1000 characters (including spaces and any characters used in button text) in the main text section. The explanatory information included above the add-channel button does not count against the 500 character limit of the more information message type.

Emphasis components

Regardless of which message type you select, you may add one (or none) of the emphasis components described in the table below:

Component	Description	Requirements and limitations
Emphasized text	This component allows you to include a title and sub-title at the top of the message template. The title text is larger and bolder than the main text. The sub-title text is displayed above the title text, and is smaller and lighter than the main text. For example:	The emphasized title can include up to 23 characters. The subtitle text can include up to 18 characters. This component cannot be used with the image component.
Image	This component adds an image to the top of your message template. For example:	Only one static image can be included per template. For best results, use an 800px * 400px JPG or PNG, with a maximum size of 500KB. Cannot be used with the emphasized text component. See KakaoTalk's image guide for more information.

Component

Description

Requirements and limitations

Emphasized text

This component allows you to include a title and sub-title at the top of the message template. The title text is larger and bolder than the main text. The sub-title text is displayed above the title text, and is smaller and lighter than the main text.

For example:

Emphasized text KakaoTalk message example

The emphasized title can include up to 23 characters.
The subtitle text can include up to 18 characters.
This component cannot be used with the image component.

Image

This component adds an image to the top of your message template.

For example:

KakaoTalk message with image example

Only one static image can be included per template.
For best results, use an 800px * 400px JPG or PNG, with a maximum size of 500KB.
Cannot be used with the emphasized text component.
See KakaoTalk's image guide for more information.

Button types

You may include up to five buttons (including any buttons added during message type selection) in each KakaoTalk template. The inclusion of additional buttons in your template is not required.

The table below describes the button types you can include in your AlimTalk message template:

Button type	Description	Requirements
Query Delivery	This KakaoTalk function parses the template content and exports the courier name and invoice number to automatically create a link that the recipient can use to track their shipment.	The supported courier name and invoice number must be included, in the correct format, in the template content. The display text of the button, which can be a maximum of 14 characters, must be defined.
Web link	Pressing this button will open the link within KakaoTalk.	A valid mobile link that starts with `http://` or `https://` , and consists of up to 500 characters, must be included. The display text of the button, which can be a maximum of 14 characters, must be defined.
App link	Pressing this button will open the app on the recipient's device.	Two links (one for iOS and one for Android) used to open apps, consisting of up to 500 characters, must be included. The display text of the button, which can be a maximum of 14 characters, must be defined.
Send Messages	Pressing this button will send the text content of the button back to the chat as a reply.	The display text of the button, which can be a maximum of 14 characters, must be defined.
Bot Keyword	Pressing this button will send the text content of the button back to the server as a mobile originated message.	The display text of the button, which can be a maximum of 14 characters, must be defined.
Add Channel	Pressing this button allows the recipient to add your channel as a friend.	In order to include this button in a template, you must select the channel add-on or complex message type . The button text cannot be changed. However, the display language of the button text is based on the language settings of the handset on which the button is viewed.