LINE Messaging API is a service that allows developers to create interactive and engaging chatbots for LINE, one of the most popular messaging platforms in Asia.
With LINE Messaging API, you can send and receive various messages, such as text, images, stickers, audio, video, and more. You can also use rich menus, quick replies, and flex messages to enhance the user experience.
In this article, we will introduce the concepts and features of LINE Messaging API and show you how to start your own LINE Messaging API. Let’s dive in!👇🏻
What is LINE Messaging API?
The LINE Messaging API is a service that allows you to develop two-way communication between your service and LINE users.
The API on LINE Messaging works by sending requests and responses over HTTPS in JSON format. The platform handles the authentication and verification of the requests and responses.
You can use the Messaging API to build various applications and services that provide personalized experiences for your users.
Why choose the LINE Messaging API?
The LINE Messaging API offers several advantages that make it a great choice for enhancing communication with LINE users on your LINE Official Account:
- Personalized Experiences: The Messaging API allows you to build bots that provide personalized experiences to your users.
- Versatile Messaging: You can send different types of messages including text, sticker, image, video, audio, location, image map, template, and flex messages.
- User Interaction: You can get the profile information of a user who interacts with your LINE Official Account, in one-on-one and group chats.
- Group Chats: The API allows you to send messages in group chats and get information about the group chat members.
- Rich Menus: You can set and customize a rich menu in a chat.
- Detailed Services: You can provide detailed services for each end user, such as pre-questions and surveys before providing a full-fledged service.
- Efficient Communication: You can communicate with a number of users at the same time.
- Targeted Message Delivery: You can send messages at any time to end users who have added your LINE Official Account as a friend.
Key features of LINE Messaging API
LINE Messaging API has many features that you can use to make your chatbot more attractive and functional. Some key features are:
1. Reply messages
You can reply within 5 minutes using the reply token. You can send up to 5 reply messages per token.
2. Send messages any time
You can send a push message anytime using the user ID. You can send up to 500 push messages per user per month.
3. Different message types
You can send various messages, such as text, images, stickers, audio, video, location, template, flex, and quick reply.
You can also send multiple messages using a message carousel or group.
4. Get the content sent by users
You can get the content from the LINE Platform using the message ID.
5. Get user profiles
Using the user ID, you can get the profile information from the LINE Platform.
6. Group chats
You can join group chats that your LINE Official Account has been invited to. You can send and receive messages to and from the group chat members.
You can also get the group ID, group name, and group member IDs from the webhook event.
7. Rich menus
You can use rich menus to give users a graphical interface to interact with your LINE Official Account.
A rich menu is a customizable menu at the bottom of the chat screen. You can create, link, and delete rich menus using the Messaging API.
8. Beacons
This can trigger webhook events when users enter or leave a specified area with their LINE app.
A beacon is a small device that emits a Bluetooth signal. You can register, test, and delete beacons using the Messaging API.
9. Account link
You can link the user’s LINE account with your service account using the account link. This way, you can provide users with more personalized and secure services.
Using the Messaging API, you can request, verify, and revoke account links.
10. Get the number of sent messages
You can get the number you have sent from your LINE Official Account using the Messaging API. The number of messages does not include those sent through the LINE Official Account Manager.
How to use LINE Messaging API
To use the Messaging API, you must create a channel on the LINE Developer Console and connect it with your application or service.
There are three ways to use LINE Messaging API: creating a channel, adding a channel, and using a Messaging API provider.
Method 1: Creating a channel on the LINE Developer Console
The LINE Developer Console is a website where you can manage your channels and chatbots. To create a channel on LINE Developer, you can follow these steps:
- Log in to the LINE Developer Console with your LINE account.
- Click Create a Provider and enter a name for the provider. A provider is an entity that offers your app or service, such as your company or organization name.
- Click Create a channel and select Messaging API as the channel type.
- Enter the required information for the channel, such as channel name, description, icon, email address, plan, and category.
- Click Create and agree to the terms of use.
- On the channel settings page, you can see the basic information of your channels and LINE Official Account, such as channel ID, channel secret, channel access token, and QR code. You can also configure the webhook, bot, rich menu, beacon, and account link settings.
Method 2: Adding a channel to your existing LINE Official Account
If you already have a LINE Official Account that you want to use with the Messaging API, you can add a channel to it.
You can follow the steps below to add a channel to your existing LINE Official Account:
- Log in to the LINE Official Account Manager with your LINE account.
- Select the LINE Official Account that you want to use with the Messaging API.
- Click Settings > Account > LINE Developers.
- Click Create a new channel and select Messaging API as the channel type.
- Enter the required information for the channel, such as channel name, description, icon, email address, and plan.
- Click Create and agree to the terms of use.
- On the channel settings page, you can see the basic information of your channels and LINE Official Account, such as channel ID, channel secret, channel access token, and QR code. You can also configure the webhook, bot, rich menu, beacon, and account link settings.
Method 3: Using Qontak as a messaging API integration provider
If you don’t want the hassle of requesting Messaging API access, you can choose the easy way by connecting with a third-party service that provides ready-made Messaging API solutions.
One such service is Mekari Qontak, which will help with the API integration process for your LINE account. Qontak provides Omnichannel with API integration, allowing you to connect LINE Messenger to their Qontak chat panel.
By doing so, the chat panel can receive all incoming chats from the user’s LINE Messenger. You can also reply to the chats and save the customer’s information from the chat panel.
Here are the steps on how to integrate LINE Messaging API into Qontak omnichannel:
- Open your Qontak’s Omnichannel Account. You must get Omnichannel software to access your account if you don’t have one. Click here to sign up.
- Go to the Integration menu on the Qontak chat panel.
- Select LINE Messenger
- Click Add LINE Account. On the right side of the Line Messenger integration form are procedures for integrating Line and who can use the feature.
- Enter the LINE token in the Chat Panel, then click Install to integrate Line.
Want to know more about omnichannel software? You can learn everything about omnichannel in this guide.
Comparing with others
LINE Messaging API is not the only messaging API that can provide API capabilities in your messenger. Other popular messaging APIs include Facebook Messenger Platform, Telegram Bot API, and WhatsApp Business API.
Each messaging API has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some factors that you can consider when comparing different messaging APIs:
1. User base
The user base of a messaging API is the number and distribution of the users who use the app.
You want to choose a messaging API with a large and relevant user base for your market and audience.
For example, LINE Messaging API has a huge Asian user base, while WhatsApp Business API has a huge one in Latin America.
2. Features
The features of a messaging API are the functions and capabilities you can use to make your messaging more interactive and functional.
You want to choose a messaging API with features that suit your business purpose and requirements.
For example, some messaging APIs offer rich media support, while others only support text messages. Some messaging APIs also provide advanced features like quick replies, buttons, templates, or web views.
3. Cost
The cost of a messaging API is how much you must pay to use the service. You want to choose a messaging API with a reasonable and affordable pricing plan matching your budget and usage.
Some messaging APIs are free or have a generous free tier, while others charge per message or user.
4. Integration
Integrating a messaging API is the process and difficulty of connecting your chat panel to the platform.
You want to choose a messaging API with a simple and easy integration process that does not require much coding or technical skills.
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