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In order to ensure the quality of advertisements on LINE Japan for both the users and advertisers, LINE has updated its ads review process and the types of businesses and services that can be advertised on the platform.
The main changes resulting from these updates are:
The following is a detailed explanation of each update.
LINE Japan has enhanced its ad review system and structure. This reduces the review time for some advertisements while ensuring their quality.
Significantly shortened ad review time
LINE reviews all ads (creative, copy, and landing page) whenever needed, using its systemised process. The system’s enhanced review and monitoring systems significantly shorten the time from ad submission to ad delivery . The minimum time required for screening is now 5 minutes. (*)
In addition, LINE Ads are monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even after advertisements are running. If it finds a violation of the guidelines while an ad is running, the ad is suspended.
(*) The time required for review varies depending on the content of the ad. It may take up to 5 business days to begin serving ads.
Shifting to a more holistic approach for ad reviews While LINE had previously been focusing on reviewing the ad creative, copy , and landing page (LP) separately, it will now combine them and review as an advertisement as a whole. With this change, the “creative (media) screening” process will be terminated and be integrated into the “ads review” process.
Before the update, the “creative (media) screening” process began when an image, video, or animation was uploaded to the media tab.
With the new update, the review process begins once the campaign, ad group, and ad (creative, copy, and LP) are created and saved.
If your ad is rejected during the review process, you will be able to check the reason why and the related component by clicking on the “?” mark in the “Ads” section of the “Ads” page, in the management screen. You can also use the media tab to check why yours was rejected (if applicable) and request a review of the LP.
LINE has added new business categories and services that can advertise on LINE Ads.
The new industries and services are as follows:
Please note, however, that even if a business or service is eligible, it may be rejected based on the review process. Please refer to the “LINE Ads Review Guidelines” for more information.
An “ad account category” section has been newly added to the ad account review area. As a result, ad accounts no longer need to add an official name or URL when creating an account.
To select an ad account category, click the “select category” button, select an industry category, and then select an ad account category.
Until now, it was necessary to create an ad account for each advertised product, but with the establishment of ad account categories, it is now possible to submit ads for multiple products in the same category.
For example, if you wish to submit advertisements for two products, A-juice and B-tea, you can select “beverages” as the ad account category and create an ad account to run advertisements for A-juice and B-tea in a single ad account.
If you have already created an ad account, LINE will assign an ad account category based on the product information you have entered, so you can continue to submit ads to that account.
If you would like to change the assigned ad account category, please create a new ad account and select the category you would like to use.
The following is a list of industry categories and their related ad account categories:
Industry Category | Ad Account Category |
Arts/Entertainment/Sports | Auditions |
TV Shows | |
Movies | |
Music/Events | |
Video Distribution | |
Arts | |
Sporting Events | |
Sports Facilities | |
Fortune Telling | |
Theme Parks, Leisure Facilities | |
Hobbies | |
Internet/Information service | Curation media |
News site/news apps | |
Newspapers | |
IT/Software | |
Telecommunications carrier | |
Internet services | Reward website |
Gambling/Public lotteries | Sweepstakes |
Public lotteries (lottery ticket/toto) | |
Publicly operated sports (horse racing/cycle racing/boat racing/auto racing) | |
Games/E-books | E-book/manga apps |
Online games/App games | |
Game devices/game software | |
Business/Jobs | Consulting/Seminars |
Business/Sharing Economy | |
Jobs & Recruiting | |
Survey/Research | |
Fundraising, Donations | |
Crowdfunding | |
Medical & Welfare Services | Shiatsu massage, Acupuncture, Moxibustion |
Fitness Gym | |
Medical Equipment | |
Nursing care and welfare | |
Disease Awareness | |
Bodywork & Relaxation | |
Cosmetic Medicine | |
Hospitals | |
Food & Beverage | Restaurants |
Cosmetics/Toiletries/Daily Necessities | Cosmetics |
Beauty goods | |
Household goods | |
Government/Organisations/Professional Services | Public Benefit Corporations/NPO/NGO/Associations |
Public administration | |
Professional services | |
Political parties | |
Elections | |
Education | Schools |
Study/Cram Schools | |
Study abroad programmes | |
Babysitting | |
Daycare, Kindergarten | |
Infant, child, maternity care | |
Finance/Insurance | Card loan |
Cash advances, Consumer loans | |
Credit cards | |
Other loans | |
Crypto assets | |
Financial institutions | |
Auto loans | |
Pawnshops | |
Mortgage loans | |
Investments | |
Insurance | |
Marriage/Love/Weddings & Funerals | Weddings and funerals |
Dating events | |
Dating sites, marriage counselling agencies, dating apps | |
Shrines and temples | |
Automobiles/Transportation Equipment | Gas stations |
Motorcycles/bicycles | |
Automobiles | |
Automobile parts | |
Household Goods/Electric Appliances/Information Equipment | Gardening |
House cleaning/Housekeeping | |
Furniture and appliances | |
Buying/Recycling | |
Smartphones/Cell Phones | |
Computers | |
Infrastructure | |
Retail/E-commerce | Ticket Sales |
Clothing | |
Underwear | |
Sporting goods | |
Auctions | |
Shopping malls | |
Books & bookstores | |
E-commerce sites | |
Consumer electronics retailers | |
Food/Beverage/Tobacco | Beverages |
Alcoholic beverages (Beer, liqueur, etc.) | |
Alcoholic beverages (wine) | |
Foodstuffs | |
Cigarettes & Cigars | |
Tobacco related (Other) | |
Electronic cigarettes | |
Animal/Pets | Veterinary hospital/Veterinary drugs |
Pet shop/Pet supplies | |
Beauty & Health Services/Supplies | Esthetic salons |
Health Equipment | |
Beauty salons/Barber shops/Nail salons | |
Health foods | |
Real Estate | Rental office space |
Remodelling and construction | |
Real estate agents | |
Property search, housing information | |
Medicine/Medical Supplies | Pharmaceuticals |
Travel & Transportation | Hotels & accommodations |
Public transportation | |
Travel reservations/Tours |
*Contents are subject to change.
Below is a summary of the changes and benefits of the updates.
DMFA provides comprehensive LINE Official Account and LINE Ads account management services, including account set up. We can also provide payment method registration solutions by opening an account on your behalf, and setting up monthly invoicing for any ad spend. Please get in touch with our LINE team for a free consultation, and rest assured your account will pass the verification process, opening the door for your business to grow in the Japanese market.