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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Naver is set to launch a new user-generated content (UGC) platform called ThinksBook as part of its push to attract users in the North American market.
According to the IT industry on July 20, ThinksBook is a social media platform under development by Naver, designed to allow users to share personal content such as movie reviews, lifestyle diaries, and other daily reflections—similar to its long-standing Korean service, Naver Blog.
Unlike its usual approach of rolling out domestic services abroad, Naver is developing ThinksBook locally in North America, marking a rare strategic shift. The company plans to use ThinksBook as a gateway to expand its presence and user base in the region.
Following the return of Executive Chairman Lee Hae-jin to an active management role earlier this year, Naver has accelerated efforts to penetrate the U.S. market. In June, Lee visited Silicon Valley and established a local investment arm, Naver Ventures. During a meeting with Korean correspondents in the U.S. around the same time, he reportedly emphasized his commitment to securing user data in the North American market.
Naver aims to use ThinksBook to enhance its AI-powered search services by leveraging fresh UGC content from North American users. Currently, the company integrates blog and community content from its Korean platforms to increase the reliability and richness of its search results.
A Naver official confirmed, “It’s true that we are preparing a UGC platform for the U.S. market,” but declined to provide further details on the launch timeline or specific features.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
