[Viber Hack Suite
Melvin Amey
While Rakuten Viber may be a small player in Japan, its popularity has soared in the Philippines where it has become one of the country's most popular messaging apps, making the southeast Asian nation a prime launching pad for new features along the company's path to becoming a "super app."
The Japanese-owned cross-platform app's strong presence in the Philippines -- where it has a user penetration of 71 percent -- can be attributed to the country's cultural dynamics that see a significant number of Filipinos seeking job opportunities abroad, according to Viber CEO Ofir Eyal.
"The Philippines, often dubbed the 'text capital of the world,' boasts a deep-rooted culture of text communication that smoothly transitioned to Viber. This shift solidified Viber as a primary means of connecting with friends and family, even those residing overseas," said Eyal.
Viber was launched in 2010 by a group of Israeli friends who wanted to find a solution to expensive international phone calls. Originally registered in Cyprus, the application which functions across mobile and PC operating systems allows users to call and send messages for free, as well as make cheap calls to non-Viber users.
Japanese tech conglomerate Rakuten Group Inc. purchased it for $900 million in 2014 to expand its e-commerce business. It has since rolled out a range of features on the app including end-to-end encryption, group calls and an API for chatbots.
In Japan, Viber trails far behind Line which dominates the messaging app market with an 83.7 percent smartphone user penetration, according to a January survey by Japanese telecommunications firm NTT Docomo Inc.'s Mobile Society Research Institute.
Despite lagging in Japan, as of 2023 Viber has surpassed 1.4 billion downloads worldwide, with more than 250 million monthly active users. The app is a popular choice in some Middle Eastern and Eastern European countries, including Ukraine, where it is said to be installed on 98 percent of smartphones.
During a visit to Ukraine on Sept. 9, Rakuten Group Chairman and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani said his company is committed to blocking fake news and Russian propaganda on Viber, adding that he is "cooperating with the Ukrainian government and telecommunication companies in reconstruction."
While Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, both owned by U.S. tech giant Meta Platforms Inc., command high user penetration around the world, Viber has eclipsed the latter in the Philippines, a September 2021 survey by local public opinion polling body Pulse Asia Research Inc. showed.
Users also have the ability to set a self-destruct timer for each message in a chat, as well as make purchases within the app, while businesses can create a public profile to interact directly with customers.
Thea Balinas, a 25-year-old law student in Manila, said she uses Viber for career-related communications and to purchase products, while Jessica Galang, 31, said she uses it a few times a week to order food and drinks.
Online business owner Rhona Bigalan, 29, who started using the app in 2019 to communicate with her colleagues and clients, said she prefers it because "it has advanced features (such as) secure and customized messages, and can make calls locally or internationally."
In addition to being vital to the Philippines' large diaspora, Viber's growth in the country can also be attributed to the prominence of micro-businesses -- those with between one to nine staff -- which, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, comprised 90.5 percent of all registered enterprises in 2021.
With the emergence of e-commerce platforms, mobile app services, and online marketplaces that simplify the process of establishing budding Filipino businesses, the country was an easy choice for Rakuten Viber to debut its new suite of tools for small and micro businesses earlier this month.
"The pandemic led to a surge in Viber's use as a versatile conversational-commerce tool for businesses. Micro-businesses found Viber's features like Communities and Channels invaluable for engaging with customers," said Eyal.
Conversational commerce, which refers to the use of a messaging app or other tools to directly market products and services to a consumer, surged by 83 percent in the Philippines in 2022, compared to 17 percent globally, according to the firm.
After rolling out Viber business products for large enterprises, the company said it recorded 16 percent growth in business message accounts created, and a 603 percent increase in transactional messages in 2022.
Rakuten Viber is also aiming to launch its payment service Viber Pay, currently only available in Germany and Greece, in the Philippines next year, the firm said, moving it one step closer to its goal of becoming a global "super app."
The first solution to roll out on this platform is a free, self-serve communications hub designed specifically for small and micro businesses. This hub allows businesses to seamlessly engage with local customers, manage incoming queries, enhance their discoverability and, most importantly, drive sales. Viber has additional value-added services in the pipeline for medium-to-large business accounts, promising a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to businesses of all scales.
In addition, new dedicated chat folders separate customer and personal messages for a professional experience, with a business inbox folder also available. The product catalog feature allows business owners to add and promote products, letting customers explore and inquire about offerings directly through chat.
Early testers are reporting positive results. Nene Tamayo, a Philippines-based shop owner, uses Viber to connect with customers, allowing her to provide a personal touch to conversations that foster loyalty.
Viber currently provides a full suite of features protecting users with extensive controls and preferences. The Viber Plus subscription service will further enhance the Viber experience by giving subscribers the option to opt out of ads.
The premium service is currently available in the Philippines and other territories such as Czech Republic, Montenegro, Switzerland, Kuwait, Australia, Sweden, Austria, India, Italy, United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, and France with additional regions added on a rolling basis.
Sixty percent of online shoppers say they would abandon brands that fail to personalize their content. To adapt to these expectations, businesses can turn to their customers' preferred messaging apps to deliver tailored experiences. With over 1 billion downloads on Android alone, Viber introduces businesses to a large pool of potential customers. Based on this growing demand for brand-user interaction on the app, Viber expanded its suite of tools to help businesses reach new customers, build and retain loyalty, and drive sales.
The first solution to launch on the platform will be a free, self-serve communications hub for small and micro businesses to conveniently engage with local customers, manage incoming queries, enhance a business's discoverability, and drive sales. Additional value-added services for medium-to-large business accounts will be available soon.
About Rakuten Viber
Rakuten Viber connects people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. The global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. Viber ensures our users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions. Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Group, Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services.
Calls and messages using the internet are the cheapest and easiest way to connect with other people and group chats. Also, it's end-to-end encryption keeps the conversation safe and secure. It is also available on multiple platforms which is the cherry on top.
Comments:My overall experience with Viber has been predominantly positive and gratifying. Throughout my tenure utilizing its diverse range of features, I've encountered minimal technical difficulties, and any encountered glitches were swiftly rectified thanks to the prompt and courteous support team. One of the primary factors contributing to my enthusiasm revolves around Viber's diligent pursuit of innovation, continually updating and refining its suite of offerings to meet burgeoning user demands. From secret chats to ephemeral stories, the platform adeptly balances familiar conventions with fresh twists, keeping conversations engaging and exciting.
I found Viber's vibrant community aspect incredibly appealing. Extensive collections of public chat rooms, thematic channels, and interest-based discussion boards offered ample opportunities for serendipitous discoveries and meaningful connections. Participating in these communal spaces felt welcoming and inclusive, fostering a sense of belonging amongst users.In conclusion, Viber's emphasis on privacy, versatile content handling, convenient secret chats, cross-platform availability, and strong community components converged harmoniously to produce a compelling and well-rounded communication solution.
Although Viber supports numerous regional languages, occasional inconsistencies in translations have surfaced, resulting in instances where phrases or idioms lose their intended meaning. Investing greater resources in rigorous linguistic verification will help preserve cultural nuances and prevent misunderstandings arising from imperfect translations.
I appreciate its end-to-end encryption feature, which ensures that my messages, calls, and shared media are secure and private. Additionally, I like the variety of fun and interactive features such as stickers, GIFs, and games, which make conversations more enjoyable and engaging.
Viber is that it can consume a significant amount of battery and data, especially during calls and video chats. Another downside is that while it offers a wide range of features, the app interface can sometimes feel cluttered and overwhelming, making it a bit challenging to navigate, especially for new users. Overall, though, I appreciate Viber for its security features and interactive elements that enhance communication with friends and family.
795a8134c1