[DigitalToday reporter Lee Ho-jung] Kakao said on Oct. 20 it has revamped the 'Channel Home' and 'News' functions of KakaoTalk Channels.

With the revamp, partners can choose to operate their channels using either the existing standard format or a newly added 'content-style channel home'.

The content-style channel home displays channel news posts and short-form content in a grid feed. Users can open content and then swipe up or down to continue viewing other news and short-form content from the same channel.

It also expanded channel profile configuration. Users can set a profile photo, description and category, while business channels can decorate the channel home background using photos, videos and colors.

Channels can also place shortcut buttons based on the functions they offer, such as coupons, reservations and calling.

Kakao added 'card-style news' as a way to create news posts. Users can attach up to 40 photos and videos, and viewers can swipe left or right through the content.

Card-style news can include 1 link and 1 location item. For long, text-focused content, users can use the existing 'blog-style news'.

It also changed the authoring screen so editing, previewing and publishing settings can be handled on a single screen.

Eligibility for conversion to a business channel was expanded from existing business operators to individuals who hold professional qualifications. Partners approved after review can register their specialty and experience in a newly added 'career card'.

Hwang Jun-yeon (황준연), domain leader for Kakao Business, said, "We revamped the channel home and news screens to introduce channel content in more diverse ways and to help users browse multiple news posts more conveniently." He added, "We will continue to advance the service so partners and users can communicate conveniently on KakaoTalk Channels."