Naver: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox websitecompany

| name = Naver Co., = NaverLtd.

| logo_captiontrading_name = NAVER

| launch_date founded = {{start date and age|1999|}}{{Cite web |title=NAVER Company |url=https://www.navercorp.com/en/naver/company |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=navercorp.com |language=ko |archive-date=2023-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725224319/https://navercorp.com/en/naver/company |url-status=live }}

'''Naver''' ({{Korean|hangul=네이버}}; stylized as '''NAVER''') is a South Korean online platform operated by the [[Naver Corporation]]. It was launched in 1999 as the first web portal in South Korea to develop and use its own [[search engine]]. It was also the world's first operator to introduce the comprehensive search feature, which compiles search results from various categories and presents them inon a single page. Naver has since added a multitude of new services ranging from basic features such as e-mail and news to the world's first online Q&A platform Knowledge iN.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In the early days of Naver's operation, there was a relative dearth of web pages available in the Korean language. To fill this void, Naver became an early pioneer in [[user-generated content]] through the creation of the 'Knowledge iN ([[Hangul]]: 네이버 지식인)' service in 2002. In Knowledge iN, users can pose questions on any subject and select among answers provided by other users, awarding points to the users who givesgive the best answers. Knowledge iN was launched three years before Yahoo! launched its similar 'Yahoo! Answers' service,{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/yahoo-answers-has-app-babby-and-calls-it-answers-now-1.2901672|title=Yahoo! Answers has app babby and calls it Answers Now|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=2017-12-13|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042041/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/yahoo-answers-has-app-babby-and-calls-it-answers-now-1.2901672|url-status=live}} and now possesses a database of over 200 million answers.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Naver introduced new restrictions on comments to protect celebrities from malicious comments by anonymous online audiences in March, 2020. This followed a 2019 incident where a famous singer-actress [[Sulli]] committed suicide due to depression after facing a huge amount of malicious comments.{{Cite web|author=Jack Guy and Sophie Jeong|title=Sulli, 25-year-old K-pop star, found dead at home in Seongnam, South Korea|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/entertainment/k-pop-star-death-scli-intl/index.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=CNN|date=14 October 2019|archive-date=2020-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828193710/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/entertainment/k-pop-star-death-scli-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} Naver also replaced the comment box with facial emojis after criticisms of mental health implications for celebrities.

In October 2020, Naver was fined 26.7 billion won ($22.9 million) by [[Fair Trade Commission (South Korea)|South Korea's Fair Trade Commission]] (FTC) for manipulating its algorithm between 2012 and 2015 in favor of its own services such as Smart Store and Naver TV over services provided by rivals.{{Cite web|last=Mu-Hyun|first=Cho|title=Naver fined for search manipulation|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/naver-fined-for-search-manipulation/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=ZDNet|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007082308/https://www.zdnet.com/article/naver-fined-for-search-manipulation/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Herald|first=The Korea|date=2020-10-06|title=Naver faces 26.7b-won fine, accused of manipulating algorithms|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201006000715|access-date=2020-10-07|website=koreaherald.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006124740/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201006000715|url-status=live}} Naver's share in the open market sector increased from 4.97% in 2015 to 21.08% in 2018, while competitors' market shares went down.{{Cite web|title=Naver fined for manipulating search algorithms|url=http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20201006000926|access-date=2020-10-07|website=theinvestor.co.kr|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007031550/http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20201006000926|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Naver fined W26.7 bil. for manipulating search algorithm|url=httphttps://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2020/10/133_297112.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=koreatimes|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011194516/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2020/10/133_297112.html|url-status=live}}

Owing to its rising popularity in Japan, Naver is currently competing with [[Kakao]] to claim the number one position in the Japanese market for [[Web fiction|web novels]] and [[Webcomic|web comicswebcomics]].{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Naver, Kakao competing for no 1 position in Japanese web comic market |url=https://theprint.in/world/naver-kakao-competing-for-no-1-position-in-japanese-web-comic-market/896130/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425130324/https://theprint.in/world/naver-kakao-competing-for-no-1-position-in-japanese-web-comic-market/896130/ |url-status=live }}

'''Junior Naver''' ([[Hangul]]: 쥬니어 네이버), also known as '''Juniver''' ([[Hangul]]: 쥬니버), is a [[web portal|portal]] website for children considered similar to [[Yahooligans]]. Junior Naver offers services such as avatars, educational content, quizzes, videos, Q&A, and a homework helper. Junior Naver uses a panel of experts and educators to filter out harmful content in order to ensure a safe internet environment for children. Ever since its competitors Daum Kids and Yahoo Kids have closed down, Junior Naver is the only children's portal site operating in Korea.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

'''Naver Webtoon''' ([[Hangul]]: 네이버 웹툰), later simply '''WEBTOON''', is a webcomic platform where users have free access to a variety of [[webtoons]] created by professional artists. Users can also pay publishers to view comic books and genre fiction contentscontent online. Naver has incorporated a 'Challenge' section which allows amateurs to post and promote their own works. These days, there are a number ofSeveral [[Korean drama|k-dramas]] thathave arebeen motivatedderived byfrom these webtoons.{{cnCite web |title=Naver, Kakao bet on open community platform to woo young users - Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea |url=https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2023&no=14799 |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=pulsenews.co.kr |language=ko |archive-date=2024-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419055825/https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2023&no=14799 |url-status=live }}{{Failed verification|date=JulyApril 20222024}}

'''Naver Cafe''' ([[Hangul]]: 네이버 카페) is a service that allows Naver users to create their own internet [[communities]]. There were 10.5 million cafes were running as of May 2017. One person can make up to 300 cafes.{{cnCite web |url=https://help.naver.com/service/5622/contents/771?osType=PC&lang=ko |title=make up to |access-date=July2024-04-08 |archive-date=2024-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408064526/https://help.naver.com/service/5622/contents/771?osType=PC&lang=ko |url-status=live 2022}}

'''Naver Blog''' ([[Hangul]]: 네이버 블로그) started with the name 'paper' in June 2003, and evolved to '[[blog]]' in October 2003.Naver service history in Naver public website It had 23 million users as of April 2016.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} In 2023, There are 1.26 million new users. [https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/29YEOW25YX New user in 202] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408064713/https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/29YEOW25YX |date=2024-04-08 }}3

For two weeks from May 1, 2021, Naver held an event to pay up to 16,000 won to people who posted on Naver's blog every day. However, this event was ended early due to a number ofseveral incidents where people with multiple IDs. Most people who participated in the event criticized Naver's response.{{Cite web|last=신|first=진호|title="작심삼일 노노"라던 네이버, 사흘만에 '오늘일기챌린지' 조기종료|url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20210504500211|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=서울신문|date=4 May 2021|language=ko|archive-date=2021-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504130716/https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20210504500211}}

Naver announced on its official blog that it would resume its "Today's Diary Challenge ([[Korean language|Korean]]: #오늘일기챌린지)" event, which ended early in three days, from May 24. However, only those who participated in the previously discontinued event (who completed the three-day record) can participate in the event.{{Cite web|last=최|first=민영|date=2021-05-18|title='작심삼일 논란' 네이버 오늘일기 24일 재개…기존 참여자만 가능|url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/economy/it/995663.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-20|website=한겨레|language=ko|archive-date=2021-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520124435/https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/economy/it/995663.html}}

Naver announced on May 13, 2021, that it would show profile pictures as well if it posts comments on Naver news articles. Previously, it was difficult to recognize users because only four digits in front of the author's ID who commented on Naver news articles were disclosed. Naver expected that it would be easier to recognize users and solve the problem of malicious comments by implementing such services. Critics criticized the company for its censorship of comments.{{Cite web|last=윤|first=지혜|date=2021-05-04|title="댓글달면 사진뜬다"..네이버 발표에 네티즌들 시끌시끌 – 머니투데이|url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2021050410524375121|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=머니투데이|language=ko|archive-date=2021-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504063400/https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2021050410524375121}}

'''Naver NOW''' (formerly '''Naver TV''') is a video streaming and sharesharing platform which mainly provides [[Web series|web drama]]s distributed by Naver. Naver NOW was served as the replacement for the Naver TV mobile app while Naver TV was currently serveserves as a web portal.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

Naver Pay (네이버페이) is ana payment service by Naver Financial, a subsidiary company of Naver launched on June 25, 2021. It first started as a payment service for Naver Shopping, but now offers payments in over 97,000 stores both online, and offline and inon December 20, started supporting Zero Pay in-app, a government -funded payment service. In May 2019, Naver started supporting overseaoverseas payment in Japan via Line Pay, allowing users to make payments in stores in Japan without exchanging currencies.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The service has ended since August 31, 2023.{{Cite web |url=https://new-m.pay.naver.com/member/notice/200017631#:~:text=%EC%95%88%EB%85%95%ED%95%98%EC%84%B8%EC%9A%94%2C%20%EB%84%A4%EC%9D%B4%EB%B2%84%ED%8E%98%EC%9D%B4%EC%9E%85%EB%8B%88%EB%8B%A4.,%ED%95%98%EC%8B%9C%EB%8D%94%EB%9D%BC%EB%8F%84%20%EC%96%91%ED%95%B4%20%EB%B6%80%ED%83%81%EB%93%9C%EB%A6%BD%EB%8B%88%EB%8B%A4 |title=NAVER Pay End |access-date=2024-04-08 |archive-date=2024-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408064334/https://new-m.pay.naver.com/member/notice/200017631#:~:text=%EC%95%88%EB%85%95%ED%95%98%EC%84%B8%EC%9A%94%2C%20%EB%84%A4%EC%9D%B4%EB%B2%84%ED%8E%98%EC%9D%B4%EC%9E%85%EB%8B%88%EB%8B%A4.,%ED%95%98%EC%8B%9C%EB%8D%94%EB%9D%BC%EB%8F%84%20%EC%96%91%ED%95%B4%20%EB%B6%80%ED%83%81%EB%93%9C%EB%A6%BD%EB%8B%88%EB%8B%A4 |url-status=live }}

'''Knowledge iN''' ([[Hangul]]: 지식iN), formerly '''Knowledge Search''' ([[Korean language|Korean]]: 지식검색), is an online Q&A platform launched in October 2002.{{cite web|url=http://kin.naver.com/event/kin10th.nhn|title=네이버 지식iN|website=kin.naver.com|access-date=2017-05-31|archive-date=2018-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920195926/https://kin.naver.com/event/kin10th.nhn|url-status=live}} The tool allows users to ask any question and to receive answers from other users. Knowledge iN was an early example of harnessing [[user-generated content]] to expand the amount of information available on the web, particularly in the [[Korean language]]. [[Bradley Horowitz]], former Vice President of Product Strategy at Yahoo!, has cited Knowledge iN as the inspiration for [[Yahoo! Answers]], which was launched three years after Naver introduced the original service.{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Bradley |title=Searching for what doesn't exist… |url=http://blog.elatable.com/2006/06/searching-for-what-doesnt-exist.html |website=blog.elatable.com |access-date=20 September 2018 |date=27 June 2006 |archive-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920161020/http://blog.elatable.com/2006/06/searching-for-what-doesnt-exist.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Pastreich |first1=Emanuel |title=Take Naver Global Today! |url=http://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=15748 |website=Korea IT Times |access-date=20 September 2018 |date=18 July 2011 |archive-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221012544/http://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=15748 |url-status=live }}

Naver helps with unauthorized publishing in order to attract users to its Knowledge iN service. This contributes to poor quality content on Knowledge iN, as prior answers to a question are left unaltered, and old questions are only allowed small modifications by other netizens. Criticism is also growing as Naver unilaterally controls comments, and edits information that may be against its political positions.{{Cite web|date=2007-12-16|title=네티즌, '反·脫 네이버' 거세지고 있다|url=https://www.itdaily.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=10786|access-date=2021-01-14|website=아이티데일리|language=ko|archive-date=2021-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121013320/https://www.itdaily.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=10786|url-status=live}}

'''PRISM Live Studio''' ([[Hangul]]: 프리즘 라이브 스튜디오) is a [[live streaming]] application for both mobile and PC. Streamers can simultaneously broadcast to multiple platforms, also known as [[Live streaming#Simulcasting|simulcasting]], while using up to 1080p HD all without increasing the network usage. Platforms supported includesinclude YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Periscope, [[V Live]], [[Naver TV]], [[afreecaTV]], [[KakaoTV]], and RTMP channels. The application can also be used for video editing purposes.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@prismliveofficial|title=PRISM Live Studio. Official|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14|archive-date=2020-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815053128/https://medium.com/@prismliveofficial|url-status=live}}

Naver's closed platform is frequently mentioned. Other search engines are not allowed to search their knowledge base and blogs, monopolizing Naver's control over its properties. In April 2011, the second and third portal sites in Korea, Daum and Nate, signed a [[Memorandum of Understanding|Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)]] to open their search for services such as cafecafes and blogs. Naver did not choose to participate in this MoU.{{Cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=008&aid=0002519494&sid1=001|title='닫힌' 네이버, '열린' 反네이버 동맹에 흔들?|website=news.naver.com|language=ko|access-date=2019-03-15|archive-date=2023-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810214816/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/008/0002519494?sid=001|url-status=live}}

Naver hadhave been criticized because they abused Real-time Search Terms ([[Korean language|Korean]]: 급상승 검색어) to create public opinion{{clarify|date=May 2021}}. Therefore, Naver abolished Real-time Search Terms on 25 February 2021.{{Cite news|last=Hong|first=Jinsu|date=2021-02-04|title=네이버 '실시간 검색어' 16년만에 없앤다…오는 25일 종료|work=경향신문|url=http://biz.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=202102041455001&code=930100|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-28|archive-date=2021-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206013453/http://biz.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=202102041455001&code=930100}}

In October 2023, Naver announced the beta release of its [[Chatbot|AI chatbot]] service, 'CLOVA X' (Korean: 클로바X).{{Cite web|date=2023-10-28|title=네이버, 대화형 AI 서비스 '클로바X' 베타 출시|url=https://cboard.net/hit2/1358019|access-date=2023-10-28|website=cboard.net|language=ko|archive-date=2023-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027194759/https://cboard.net/hit2/1358019|url-status=live}}