Line Users
Bubble
Interest
Line Users are members of the large, vibrant community who actively use the LINE messaging app, especially prevalent across East and So...Show more
Line Users
Bubble
Interest
Line Users are members of the large, vibrant community who actively use the LINE messaging app, especially prevalent across East and Southeast Asia. They participate in distinct digital cultures shaped by stickers, group chat rituals, region-specific app features, and unique etiquette.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
300M
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Asia
Country Hotspots
JP
+3
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General Q&A
Line Users create a vibrant community that goes far beyond messaging, using elaborate stickers, group chat customs, and integrated services like LINE Pay and LINE VOOM to shape a localized digital lifestyle.
Community Q&A
Line Users create a vibrant community that goes far beyond messaging, using elaborate stickers, group chat customs, and integrated services like LINE Pay and LINE VOOM to shape a localized digital lifestyle.
Line Users communicate through public or private group chats, establish group roles and etiquette, form sub-communities, and use features like Keep for shared content.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Sticker Economy
Community DynamicsThe sticker economy is key, where users trade, gift, and strategically deploy stickers for emotional nuance and social bonding unique to each region’s style and etiquette.
Silent Acknowledgement
Social NormsSilent 'read-only' in group chats signifies respect and presence without disrupting flow, a subtle ritual misunderstood by outsiders.
Multifunctional Platform
Insider PerspectiveUsers see LINE not just as messaging but a multifunctional platform integrating payments, shopping, and services, tightly weaving digital life and social identity.
Regional Flavors
Social NormsDistinct regional etiquette, from polite seasonal stickers to notification norms, creates micro-cultures that maintain bubble boundaries and reflect local social values.
Sub Groups
Sticker Creators and Collectors
Users who focus on creating, sharing, and collecting Line stickers, often forming their own groups and events.
Regional User Groups
Communities organized by country or city, reflecting local language, etiquette, and feature use.
Line OpenChat Communities
Large, topic-based chat groups within Line, often centered around hobbies, fandoms, or local interests.
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
1 / 2
Line
70%Line is the core platform where the community forms, interacts, and expresses its unique digital culture through stickers, group chats, and app-specific features.
Meetup
10%Some Line user communities organize offline gatherings and events via Meetup, especially in regions where Line is popular.
Facebook
10%Regional Line user groups and fan communities often use Facebook to organize, share tips, and discuss updates outside the app.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
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Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Greeting Salutations
Example Conversation
Insider
Good morning! Here's your seasonal sticker!
(Sticker attached)
Outsider
Huh? Why the sticker with your greeting?
Insider
On LINE, using seasonal stickers is a polite way to greet—it's like showing thoughtfulness and being in tune with the time of year.
Outsider
Oh, that adds a nice cultural touch! Now I get it.
Cultural Context
Seasonal sticker greetings are a subtle tradition to express politeness, warmth, and cultural awareness beyond words alone.
Inside Jokes
When someone replies only with a sticker.
This poke at users who respond exclusively using stickers highlights how stickers can carry full sentiment and is a gentle tease about minimal text communication.
Waiting for a 'Read but no reply' to become 'Read and reply.'
Mocks the tension or patience users feel when someone has seen a message but delayed replying, common in group dynamics on LINE.
Facts & Sayings
„Keep it safe in Keep!“
Refers to the LINE Keep feature where users save important messages, images, or links privately; saying this signals familiarity with preserving content within the app.
„Sticker Bombing incoming!“
A playful warning that the user will flood the chat with multiple stickers, often to express strong emotion or humor, a common fun interaction among Line users.
„Did you see it on Timeline?“
Refers to LINE’s social feed called Timeline, used for sharing status updates or media, indicating engagement with LINE’s wider social features beyond messaging.
„Read but no reply (silent read)“
An implicit acknowledgment that someone has read the message but chooses not to reply immediately, a frequent etiquette aspect in group chats where silence is interpreted as acknowledgment.
Unwritten Rules
Don’t overuse stickers in professional or formal group chats.
Excessive sticker use in formal settings can be viewed as unprofessional or disrespectful; users gauge sticker appropriateness by context.
Acknowledge group messages read without replying if you have nothing to add.
Silent reading signals acknowledgment and presence in the group, preventing pressure to respond unnecessarily.
Use seasonal or occasion-appropriate stickers in greetings.
Employing relevant seasonal stickers conveys cultural awareness and politeness, enriching the greeting's social meaning.
Avoid disrupting group chats with off-topic sticker bombing.
Overwhelming a chat with unrelated stickers may annoy members and is considered rude, especially in larger or formal groups.
Fictional Portraits
1 / 3
Suki, 28
graphic designerfemaleSuki is a young professional from Tokyo who uses LINE daily for both work communication and keeping in touch with family and close friends.
CreativityEfficiencySocial harmony
Motivations
- Stay connected effortlessly with her social and professional circles
- Express emotions creatively through stickers and emojis
- Keep up with trendy digital communication styles in Japan
Challenges
- Managing constant notifications from multiple group chats
- Balancing informal chat culture with professional messaging needs
- Finding new and unique stickers that fit her style
Platforms
LINE groupsInstagram DMTwitter
read receiptshidden chatsticker packs
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
1 / 3
Technologies
1 / 3
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 1-2 weeks
1
Download and Explore LINE
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Install LINE and explore its features.
Details: Begin by downloading the LINE app from your device's app store. Create an account and familiarize yourself with its interface, including chats, stickers, and settings. Explore the app's unique features, such as LINE Pay, LINE Today, and the sticker shop. This foundational step helps you understand the app's ecosystem and prepares you for deeper engagement.
2
Join Public LINE Groups
2-3 daysIntermediate
Summary: Find and join public LINE groups.
Details: Search for public LINE groups that align with your interests. These groups often share stickers, tips, and cultural insights. Engage respectfully and observe group etiquette. This step introduces you to the community dynamics and helps you connect with other users.
3
Explore LINE Stickers
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Browse and use LINE stickers.
Details: Visit the LINE sticker shop and explore the variety of stickers available. Purchase or download free stickers that resonate with you. Use them in chats to express yourself and understand their cultural significance. Stickers are a key aspect of LINE's communication style.
1
Download and Explore LINE
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Install LINE and explore its features.
Details: Begin by downloading the LINE app from your device's app store. Create an account and familiarize yourself with its interface, including chats, stickers, and settings. Explore the app's unique features, such as LINE Pay, LINE Today, and the sticker shop. This foundational step helps you understand the app's ecosystem and prepares you for deeper engagement.
2
Join Public LINE Groups
2-3 daysIntermediate
Summary: Find and join public LINE groups.
Details: Search for public LINE groups that align with your interests. These groups often share stickers, tips, and cultural insights. Engage respectfully and observe group etiquette. This step introduces you to the community dynamics and helps you connect with other users.
3
Explore LINE Stickers
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Browse and use LINE stickers.
Details: Visit the LINE sticker shop and explore the variety of stickers available. Purchase or download free stickers that resonate with you. Use them in chats to express yourself and understand their cultural significance. Stickers are a key aspect of LINE's communication style.
4
Learn LINE Etiquette
1 weekIntermediate
Summary: Understand and practice LINE etiquette.
Details: Research common LINE etiquette, such as appropriate sticker use, group chat behavior, and message timing. Adhering to these norms ensures positive interactions and helps you integrate smoothly into the community.
5
Customize Your LINE Profile
30 minutesBasic
Summary: Personalize your LINE profile settings.
Details: Customize your LINE profile by adding a profile picture, status message, and theme. This personal touch reflects your identity and makes interactions more engaging. Experiment with different settings to find what suits you best.
Welcoming Practices
„Sending a starter sticker pack upon being added to a group chat.“
This gesture warmly welcomes newcomers by giving them immediate access to popular or group-specific stickers, helping them integrate into the chat's communication style.
„First message celebration with special congratulatory stickers.“
Using festive stickers the first time someone posts in a group is a ritual to encourage participation and create a friendly atmosphere.
Beginner Mistakes
Using casual stickers with formal contacts.
Observe the formality of the chat and opt for polite, minimalist, or seasonal stickers when communicating in professional or elder groups.
Ignoring the read receipt etiquette by not acknowledging messages silently.
It's acceptable and expected in many groups to silently acknowledge messages if you have nothing to add to avoid seeming rude or disengaged.
Facts
Regional Differences
Asia
In Japan, Line usage emphasizes formal and seasonal stickers reflecting social hierarchy and politeness, while in Thailand, sticker use is more exuberant and integrated with informal social interactions.
Asia
In Taiwan, LINE heavily integrates with public sector broadcasts and government alerts, whereas in Indonesia, the platform is more commercially oriented with LINE Pay and shopping services widely used.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
LINE is just another messaging app like WhatsApp or Messenger.
Reality
LINE incorporates broad integrated services like payments, shopping, games, public services, and a social feed, making it a multifunctional platform central to daily life in many countries.
Misconception #2
Stickers are only cute decorations without deeper meaning.
Reality
Stickers often carry nuanced emotional expressions and social cues, functioning as an essential language component within Line chats.
Misconception #3
Line Users communicate similarly across all regions.
Reality
Cultural and regional differences strongly influence sticker use, formality levels, and etiquette, reflecting local communication styles especially in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
