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LINE plans and message counts
| Type | Examples | Counted? |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications your store sends (push) | Back-in-stock alerts, points updates, end-of-stock notices | Counted |
| Reply messages | Automatic replies to a customer's action (our linking guide and completion notice) | Not counted |
| Greeting message | The message LINE sends automatically when someone adds your account | Not counted |
| Chat (manual) | Replies your staff type in LINE Official Account Manager | Not counted |
Every linking message our app sends (when a customer adds your account, replies 連携 or link, or completes linking) is a reply message. Only the notifications your store sends, such as back-in-stock alerts, use your monthly count.
| Plan | Monthly fee | Free messages per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | JPY 0 | 200 | Extra messages cannot be purchased |
| Light | JPY 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| Standard | JPY 15,000 | 30,000 | Usage-based fee above the limit |
- Messages are counted per recipient: one back-in-stock alert sent to 10 people counts as 10 messages.
- The count resets on the 1st of every month.
- Once you reach the limit, notifications your store sends (back-in-stock, points and so on) fail on LINE's side until the next month. Reply messages, including the linking guide, are still delivered.
Where to check your count
The authoritative number is in LINE Official Account Manager under Analytics > Messages. The usage shown in our admin counts only messages sent by this app; if you also send broadcasts or use other tools, LINE's total will be higher.
How customers link their account
To receive notifications on LINE, a customer links your store account with LINE once. If you explain it to customers, these are the steps:
- Add your LINE Official Account as a friend.
- Tap the "Link my account" button on the card that arrives.
- Sign in to your store (skipped if already signed in).
- Approve "Account Link" on the LINE screen.
- Done when the "Your account is now linked" message arrives.
- The button works for 10 minutes. After that, sending just 連携 (or link) in the chat delivers a fresh card.
- Existing friends who have not linked yet can send 連携 in the chat to get the same card.
- English-speaking customers should send just the word link, with no quotes or period.
If you also use Exp Points
- The linking guide is combined into one message. When a customer finishes linking the first app, the completion message includes a button for the other app's notifications, and one tap links it too.
- Customers can link the second app later at any time by sending 連携 in the chat.
- LINE allows only one Webhook URL per official account, so with two apps the events pass through our routing layer. We set this up for you; on your side, the Webhook URL in LINE Developers is replaced once. We will send you the URL and the timing.
Recommended settings
| Setting | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Webhook | On | Required for our app to receive friend adds and the 連携 keyword. |
| Auto-response messages | Off | If on, LINE's canned reply arrives on top of our guide when a customer sends 連携. |
| Greeting message | Your choice | If on, new friends receive LINE's greeting and our card, so two messages. |
Creating the Messaging API channel
Since 4 September 2024, Messaging API channels cannot be created directly in LINE Developers. Start from LINE Official Account Manager > Settings > Messaging API. The provider name you enter is shown to customers on the linking screen, so use your company's official name.
When a message does not arrive
- Has the customer added your LINE Official Account as a friend? (Blocked accounts do not receive messages.)
- Has the customer completed linking? (You can check LINE link status on the customer's record in the admin.)
- Have you reached this month's message limit? (LINE Official Account Manager > Analytics > Messages)
- Is the Webhook URL in LINE Developers correct? (It should match the URL we provided.)
- Has the channel access token expired? (Our admin shows a warning when it has.)
Frequently asked questions
Is the free Communication plan (200 messages) enough?
The linking guide does not use any messages, so only back-in-stock alerts and similar notifications count. As a rule of thumb, multiply the number of linked customers by the notifications you expect per month; if that exceeds 200, consider the Light plan or above.
What happens when we reach the limit?
For the rest of the month, notifications your store sends (back-in-stock, points and so on) fail on LINE's side and are not delivered. Delivery resumes when the count resets on the 1st. The linking guide is unaffected. On the Communication plan, extra messages cannot be purchased.
Does the linking guide use our message count?
No. The guide sent when a customer adds your account, the reply to 連携, and the completion notice are all reply messages, which LINE does not count.
How do customers who are already friends link their account?
They send just 連携 in the chat and the card arrives.
The button expired after 10 minutes.
Sending just 連携 in the chat delivers a new card. It can be reissued any number of times.
A customer wants to unlink.
There is currently no way to unlink from the LINE side. If the customer blocks your official account, notifications stop (the link record remains in the app).
How do English-speaking customers link?
They send just the word link. Quotes or a period prevent it from being recognized, so ask them to send the word on its own.
What should the provider name be?
It appears on the customer's linking screen, so use your company's official name (company or store name).
The usage shown in the app differs from LINE's number.
The app counts only messages sent by this app. Broadcasts and other tools add to LINE's total, so check the exact remaining count in LINE Official Account Manager > Analytics > Messages.
Can we choose which notification types go to LINE?
A setting to turn LINE delivery on or off per notification type is planned for an upcoming release.