LINE is a Japan-based, cross-platform popular messaging app and social media platform primarily used in Asian countries. The key features include Messaging, Stickers, a Timeline, Vice and Video calls, Games and Entertainment and Official accounts.
To connect to a LINE channel a LINE Official Account is required. You can create a LINE Official Account here. If you already have a LINE Official account, proceed with connecting your LINE Official Account to respond.io.
LINE Official Accounts are free to create. The free Communication plan has a messaging limit of 500.
Paid plan accounts come in two tiers - Light and Standard. These accounts can exceed the paid plan message limit but will incur fees for each additional message sent. You can learn more about the plans here.
To start a conversation, LINE requires users to send you the first message. This is to prevent brands from spamming users.
There are two ways to encourage users to initiate a chat:
You can use Chat links in texts, images, and buttons. These links can be shared in text messages, emails, websites or social media, enabling customers to quickly find your Official Account to chat with you on LINE.
Learn how to create a LINE link here.
Limitation: The links do not work on the LINE desktop app. When users click the LINE links on their desktop, it will either open the official LINE website or pull up a page with a QR code which the Contacts can scan with the LINE app on their phone to initiate the conversation.
Use QR Codes in physical stores to encourage customers to scan on their mobile devices and initiate a chat with your business on LINE. Learn how to generate a QR Code here.
The capabilities of LINE are listed below:
The file types supported by LINE and the maximum file size for each file type are as follows:
Image: Up to 1 MB (with preview). For images exceeding 1 MB and up to 10 MB, the image will be converted into a link.
Audio (200 MB)
Video (200 MB)
Messages that are not supported will have a fallback display with Unsupported Message or Custom Payload text and Type (if available).
For any unsupported file type or file that exceeds the maximum file size sent via LINE, the file will automatically be turned into a URL link on the respond.io platform. For Custom Payload, you can click S_how More_ to view the JSON payload of this message.
Examples of unsupported messages for LINE are:- Contact Cards- Flex messages
For the LINE messaging channel, the message status availability is shown in the table below:
Message Status | Availability |
|---|---|
Sent | ✅ |
Delivered | ❌ |
Read | ❌ |
Failed | ❌ |
LINE has no messaging window as long as you remain in a customer’s contact list.
The Contact will not receive any message if they block you. However, if the Contact unblocks your account, you will receive a Welcome Event notification on the conversation history on the respond.io platform and the Contact will be able to receive your message again.
However, LINE has certain messaging limits. These limits are in place to prevent spam and misuse of the platform. The messaging limit will be based on your LINE subscription plan.
You can send broadcasts to LINE Contacts using the respond.io platform.
LINE has no restrictions on broadcast message content. However, the available number of broadcast messages is limited to your LINE subscription plan and respond.io plan.
Broadcast messages that exceed the monthly limit will fail to send.
You won’t be able to import Contacts to the respond.io platform directly to broadcast the messages. You will need to build your Contact list by getting Contacts to send you the first message. Read more on how to get Contacts to start a conversation.
A rate limit is the number of API calls an app or user can make within a given time period defined by the channel. Learn more about the rate limits of this channel.
To connect to a LINE channel a LINE Official Account is required. You can create a LINE Official Account here.
LINE Official Accounts are free to create. However, the Communication plan has a messaging limit of 500 or 1000 messages depending on the region. LINE provides two additional paid plans, Light and Standard. You can learn more about the plans here.
You can purchase a Premium ID for $12.00 (Yearly).
LINE rules say contacts must message you first before you can message them back. You can share your QR code or line.me link with your Audience.
However, if a user has subscribed to your LINE official account and did not message you first, a "Conversation opened by Contact" message will be triggered on the respond.io platform. This allows you to start a conversation with the Contact.
You can now receive stickers on LINE. However, sending stickers is not supported for now. You can upvote our feature request here.
A flex message can be sent out with DialogFlow custom payload response, however, the message will not be shown on the platform, you can upvote our feature request here.
You can access this through the LINE Configuration page:
Click Settings > Channels
Locate the LINE Channel > click Manage
In the LINE Configuration page, click Generate QR Code
Click Download and select the size of the QR code you want to save.
Alternatively, you can access the QR code through the Settings page:
On the respond.io platform, click Settings > Growth Widget > + Add Widget.
Select QR Code option > click Create Widget.
Select "LINE" as the QR code type > Select the connected LINE Channel that you want to create the QR code for.
Click Download and select the size of the QR code you want to save.
Log in to the LINE Official Accounts Platform > Navigate to Settings > Account settings > Click Edit next to Profile photo.
2. Upload your new profile photo > click Save > Click Save again to confirm your action.
Log in to the LINE Official Accounts Platform > Navigate to Settings > Account settings > Click the icon next to Status message.
Edit your status message and click Save.
