Naver and Kakao are accelerating efforts to keep information search, place recommendations and bookings inside their own platforms using AI. Naver is expanding its AI tab in search to connect results to maps and real-time reservations, and is disclosing engagement metrics. Kakao is enhancing travel features that begin in KakaoTalk chats and flow to KakaoMap and its booking service. Analysts say it remains to be seen whether these plans will translate into results.

Kakao has strengthened the place-agent function of its AI service Kanana within KakaoTalk and widened its search and booking support. Following an update, Kanana now expands beyond restaurant recommendations to travel, culture and everyday convenience categories. Users can get suggestions based on chat context and complete reservations without leaving the page. Kakao also enhanced tailored information linked to schedules and added an auto-generated follow-up question feature.