How messaging apps should monetize: Ads vs Stickers

Published in

mojitok

3 min readJan 14, 2021

With an estimated 2 billion users and a remarkable 7% compound annual growth rate expected, the mobile messaging industry is on a roll. And yet, most messengers are at a loss when it comes to monetization.

What’s the best way for messaging apps to convert their traffic into revenue?

Click here <http://bit.ly/201-stickersdk> to try mojitok Sticker Store SDK & API in your app for free!

Say no to ads

First, the consensus seems to be that ads are not the answer. Early in 2020, Facebook backpedaled on its idea to sell ads on WhatsApp, altogether disbanding the team responsible. Snapchat also faced massive backlash for its attempts to make users watch ads.

So if ads are out, what’s in?

Say yes to stickers

WhatsApp may be the biggest messaging app in the world, but it’s apps like LINE and KakaoTalk that are leading the monetization game. How? Stickers.

Stickers — sort of like upgraded emoticons — are the new standard for app users to express themselves. Stickers allow users to communicate emotion, nuance, and personality far beyond what emojis or plain text could capture. For messaging apps, where social engagement is key, stickers offer a huge boost to user experience.

And users have been more than willing to pay for this experience. LINE reported US$265 million in revenue from stickers sold in 2019. Users can get some stickers for free, but pay between $1–2 for each additional sticker pack.

mojitok’s shortcut to sticker revenue

First movers in stickers like KakaoTalk have each amassed an enormous library of content, a network of creators, and their own original IP. Are stickers really a practical solution for a newcomer?

You’re right. Building a sticker store from scratch isn’t easy, but integrating an SDK is. mojitok Sticker Store SDK allows any app to immediately start selling stickers and providing an enhanced user experience. With a growing library of over 150,000 stickers produced by more than 5,000 creators around the world, mojitok has done all the heavy lifting for you.

Does it work?

mojitok on Samsung

mojitok is already integrated on Samsung smartphones on the Galaxy keyboard! Powered by our award-winning algorithm, mojitok analyzes sentiment from text and automatically suggests the best stickers to go with it. Each year, we see a 450% increase in engagement from over 300 million Samsung users around the world.

mojitok on ChatAja

Telkom Indonesia’s messenger, ChatAja, has chosen mojitok as its official sticker provider. Through our Search, Tag, and Trending functions, ChatAja delivers stickers to users in the most delightful way!

mojitok on Kika

Kika Keyboard recently started selling mojitok stickers too! Stickers are sold in packs of at least 24 for $0.99 per pack. After purchase, Kika users are able to send these mojitok stickers in any messenger or social media.

mojitok on your app

Contact mojitok@platfarm.net to learn more or visit bit.ly/201-stickersdk to sign up for a free trial of mojitok Sticker Store SDK & API on your app.