Ner Co., Ltd.Logo used from 2018Trade nameNERCompany typeSubsidiaryIndustryInternetArtificial intelligenceCloud computingFounded2 June 1999; 26 years ago (1999-06-02)[1]FounderLee Hae-jinHeadquartersSeongnam-si, KoreaArea servedWorldwideProductsNER MailNER MapNER NewsParentNer CorporationKorean nameHangul네이버 주식회사RRNeibeo jusikhoesaMRNeibŏ chusikhoesa Websitewww.ner.com
Ner (Korean: 네이버; stylized as NER) is a South Korean online platform operated by the Ner Corporation. The company's products include a search engine, email hosting, blogs, maps, and mobile payment.[1]
History[edit]Ner was the first Korean web provider to develop its own search engine. The company was founded on 2 June 1999, and is headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea. Ner is a combination of 'nigate' and the suffix '-er', referring to a person who nigates the vast ocean of information on the Internet.[2] Ner provides community services including blogs and cafes, other convenient services such as knowledge, shopping, maps, books, e-mail, and a Ner toolbar.[1]
In August 2000, Ner launched its 'comprehensive search' service, which allows users to get a variety of results from a single search query on one page, organized by type, including blogs, websites, images, and web communities.[citation needed]
Ner became an early pioneer in user-generated content through the creation of the 'Knowledge iN' (네이버 지식인)' service in 2002.[citation needed] In Knowledge iN, users can pose questions on any subject and select from answers provided by other users, awarding points to those who give the best answers. Knowledge iN was launched three years before Yahoo! introduced its similar 'Yahoo! Answers' service[3] and now possesses a database of over 200 million answers. Bradley Horowitz, former Vice President of Product Strategy at Yahoo!, has cited Knowledge iN as the inspiration for Yahoo! Answers, which was launched three years after Ner introduced the original service.[4]
Over the years, Ner has continued to expand its services. Ner Blog started with the name 'paper' in June 2003 and evolved to 'blog' in October 2003.[5] 'Webtoon' is a South Korean webtoon publisher launched in 2004 by Ner.[6]
In May 2005, Ner started the Real-time Search service. The rising search terms was a chart in Ner that highlighted trending topics in real-time.[citation needed] The top searches would appear on the portal main page, reaching a large number of users.[7]
From 2005 to 2007, Ner expanded its multimedia search services, including music and video search, as well as mobile search.[citation needed] Ner had launched a messaging app called Line for the South Korean market in February 2011.[8]
In 2019, Ner reorganized its mobile version of the main screen, excluding search windows and some menus.[citation needed] In response, more than 3,000 comments opposing the change were posted.[9]
In October 2023, Ner announced the beta release of its AI chatbot service, 'CLOVA X' (클로바X).[10]
Ner mobile map application began providing real-time service on natural disaster information on 15 September 2024.[11]
Services[edit] Ner Dictionary[edit] Main article: Ner DictionaryNer Dictionary was launched in 1999, alongside Ner. It initially supported only Korean and English.[12] As of 2024[update], it supports 67 languages.[13] The dictionary aggregates results from a number of other dictionaries, including Urimalsaem, which is operated by the National Institute of Korean Language.[14] It also aggregates results from English-language dictionaries such as Oxford Dictionary of English[15] and the Collins English Dictionary.[16] It also operates an open-source dictionary called Open Dictionary PRO (ODP).[14]
Junior Ner[edit]Junior Ner (쥬니어 네이버), also known as Juniver (쥬니버), is a portal website for children, similar to Yahooligans. Junior Ner offers services such as atars, educational content, quizzes, videos, Q&A, and a homework helper. It uses a panel of experts and educators to filter out harmful content, ensuring a safe internet environment for children. With its competitors Daum Kids and Yahoo Kids hing closed down, Junior Ner is now the only children's portal site operating in Korea.[citation needed]
Knowledge iN[edit]Knowledge iN (지식iN), formerly Knowledge Search (지식검색), is an online Q&A platform launched in October 2002.[17] The tool allows users to ask any question and receive answers from other users. Ner became an early pioneer in user-generated content through the creation of the 'Knowledge iN' (네이버 지식인)' service in 2002. Bradley Horowitz, former Vice President of Product Strategy at Yahoo!, has cited Knowledge iN as the inspiration for Yahoo! Answers, which was launched three years after Ner introduced the original service.[4]
Ner encourages unauthorized publishing to attract users to its Knowledge iN service. This contributes to poor-quality content on Knowledge iN, as previous answers to questions remain unchanged and old questions can be minimally only modified by other users. Criticism is also growing due to Ner's unilateral control over comments and its editing of information that may contradict its political positions. Teens and people in their twenties accounted for 70% of the questioners and 50% of the respondents. In April 2024, the service was reorganized so that answers could be continuously registered without closing questions, and new answers could be registered even if there were adopted answers. In addition, the limit on the number of additional questions and additional answers has disappeared.
Ner Webtoon[edit] Main article: WEBTOONNer Webtoon (네이버 웹툰), later simply WEBTOON, is a webcomic platform where users he free access to a variety of webtoons created by professional artists. Users can also pay publishers to view comic books and genre fiction content online. Ner has incorporated a 'Challenge' section that allows amateurs to post and promote their works.[6]
Ner Cafe[edit]Ner Cafe (네이버 카페) is a service that allows Ner users to create their own internet communities. As of May 2017, 10.5 million cafes were active. Each person can create up to 300 cafes.[18] From January to August 2024, Ner Cafe's MAU eraged 30 million, up about 10% from the previous year.[19]
Ner Blog[edit]Ner Blog (네이버 블로그) started with the name 'paper' in June 2003 and evolved to 'blog' in October 2003.[20] It had 23 million users as of April 2016.[citation needed] In 2023, there were 1.26 million new users.[21]
For two weeks from 1 May 2021, Ner held an event to pay up to 16,000 won to people who posted on Ner's blog every day. However, this event ended early due to several incidents involving people with multiple IDs. Many participants in the event criticized Ner's response.[22]
Ner announced on its official blog that it would resume its "Today's Diary Challenge (#오늘일기챌린지)" event, which ended early in three days, from May 24. However, only those who participated in the previously discontinued event (who completed the three-day record) can participate in the event.[23]
On 13 May 2021, Ner announced that it would display profile pictures along with comments posted on Ner news articles. Previously, only the first four digits of the author's ID were disclosed, making it difficult to identify users. Ner implemented this change expecting it to facilitate user recognition and address issues with malicious comments. Critics, however, criticized the company for censoring comments.[24][relevant?]
Ner NOW[edit] Main article: Ner TVNer NOW (formerly Ner TV) is a video streaming and sharing platform that primarily offers web dramas distributed by Ner. Ner NOW replaced the Ner TV mobile app, while Ner TV continues to serve as a web portal.[citation needed]
Ner Pay[edit] Main article: Ner PayIn June 2015, Ner launched its own payment service, Ner Pay, which allows mobile payment service and online checkout. It is Ner's second mobile payment service after Line Pay. Ner Pay is the most widely used mobile payment service in South Korea.[25]
Ner Mail[edit]Ner Mail (네이버 메일) is an email service ailable to all Ner users. Each user is provided with up to 5GB of storage.[citation needed]
Ner News[edit]Ner News (네이버 뉴스) is a news aggregator operated by Ner since 2000. The website co-founded a committee with Daum News to evaluate news presses for the service in 2015, but it was indefinitely shut down in 2023 after allegations of biased audit.[26] It also runs Ner Enter, a subdivision focusing on entertainment news.
Ner Shopping Live[edit]Ner Shopping Live (네이버 쇼핑 라이브) is a live commerce platform operated by Ner. Broadcasts can be transmitted via mobile phones or camcorders, with a resolution of 1080*1920 and a vertical format similar to YouTube shorts. It is currently the platform with the highest number of consumers in Korea. As of 2023, 73.6% of mobile shoppers in South Korea use Ner Shopping Live as their primary platform.[27]
PRISM Live Studio[edit]PRISM Live Studio (프리즘 라이브 스튜디오) is a live streaming application ailable for both mobile and PC users. Streamers can simultaneously broadcast to multiple platforms, a practice known as simulcasting, with support for up to 1080p HD resolution without increasing network usage. Supported platforms include YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Periscope, V Live, Ner TV, afreecaTV, KakaoTV, and RTMP channels. The application can also be utilized for video editing purposes.[28]
Ner Papago[edit] Main article: Ner PapagoIn July 2017, Ner launched Papago, which is an AI-based mobile translator that uses a large neural network technology named N2MT (Ner Neural Machine Translation). It can translate text and phrases in 15 different languages by analyzing context instead of statistical analysis. Papago app has so far garnered over 16 million downloads.[29]
Search engine features and restrictions[edit]Ner has been criticized for abusing Real-time Search Terms (급상승 검색어) to manipulate public opinion.[clarification needed]. As a result, Ner abolished Real-time Search Terms on 25 February 2021.[30]
See also[edit] Portals: South Korea Companies Internet List of search engines Search engine Comparison of search engines Ner Corporation Band Line Notes[edit] References[edit] ^ a b c "NER Company". nercorp.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023. ^ "Brand Resources". nercorp.com (in Korean). Retrieved 23 October 2024. ^ "Yahoo! Answers has app babby and calls it Answers Now". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017. ^ a b Pastreich, Emanuel (18 July 2011). "Take Ner Global Today!". Korea IT Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2018. ^ ""네이버 블로그 21주년, 1030 비중 64%까지 확대"". 다음 - 머니투데이. Retrieved 15 November 2024. ^ a b "Ner's Webtoon Entertainment shares close nearly 10% higher on Nasdaq debut". koreatimes. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024. ^ "네이버, 검색분야 점유율 70% 육박". 다음 - 아이뉴스24. Retrieved 14 November 2024. ^ "LINE｜라인은 언제나 사용자와 함께 합니다". line.me (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2024. ^ Park, Ji-hye. "Ner Mobile's old version ends in August...'User Complaints' Continuous". 프라임경제 (in Korean). Retrieved 6 June 2021. ^ ""투자제안서 대신 써줄래"…네이버, 대화형AI '클로바X' 베타 출시". 다음 - 디지털타임스. Retrieved 15 November 2024. ^ Na-Young, Kim (2024). "Ner Map starts providing natural disaster information". Yonhap News. ^ 박, 철현 (17 October 2016). "네이버, 어학사전 발전 위해 100억원 투입...'옛 사전 개정 新 사전 구축나서'". IT조선 (in Korean). Retrieved 31 July 2024. ^ "네이버 사전". Apple App Store (in Korean). 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024. ^ a b 차, 현아 (5 December 2018). ""고대 히브리어도 찾아준다"...네이버, 소수어 5종 사전 오픈". IT조선 (in Korean). Retrieved 31 July 2024. ^ Sohn, Ji-young (22 March 2018). "Pwag, zoobs? Ner's English dictionary contains nonsense, questionable definitions". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2024. ^ "네이버 국어·영어 사전 서비스 강화". Jeonbuk Ilbo [ko] (in Korean). 29 June 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2024. ^ "네이버 지식iN". kin.ner.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2017. ^ "make up to". Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024. ^ "네이버, 카페 서비스 '오류'... "긴급 점검 중"". 다음 - 파이낸셜뉴스. Retrieved 29 November 2024. ^ Ner service history in Ner public website ^ New user in 202 Archived 8 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine3 ^ 신, 진호 (4 May 2021). ""작심삼일 노노"라던 네이버, 사흘만에 '오늘일기챌린지' 조기종료". 서울신문 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021. ^ 최, 민영 (18 May 2021). "'작심삼일 논란' 네이버 오늘일기 24일 재개…기존 참여자만 가능". 한겨레 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021. ^ 윤, 지혜 (4 May 2021). ""댓글달면 사진뜬다"..네이버 발표에 네티즌들 시끌시끌 – 머니투데이". 머니투데이 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021. ^ Service Introduction, Official webpage of Ner Pay ^ Choi, Hyeonseok (30 October 2024). "네이버뉴스, 언론사 입점·퇴출 심사에 '수백명 풀단' 활용 논의". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 24 January 2025. ^ "Ner Shopping Live: Live Commerce and Marketing in Korea". Growth Marketing Agency. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024. ^ "PRISM Live Studio. Official". Medium. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2019. ^ 홍지인 (4 November 2020). "네이버 파파고, 이미지 '바로번역' 기능 출시". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 29 October 2024. ^ "네이버, 16년 만에 '급상승 검색어' 폐지". 다음 - 국민일보. Retrieved 15 November 2024. External links[edit] Official website Ner Webtoon Ner Cafe Ner Blog Ner TV Knowledge iN vteNer CorporationProducts and servicesCurrent Ner (search engine) Band Clova We Friends CHZZK Ner Papago Ner Pay Ner TV Ner Webtoon Ner Whale Ner Vibe Ner Dictionary Former/defunct Livedoor V Live Whoscall SubsidiariesCurrent Poshmark Snow Playlist Wattpad Webtoon Studio N Former/defunct Camp Mobile People Han Seong-sook Lee Hae-jin Lee Joon-ho Others Green Factory Category vteWeb search enginesActiveDedicated AOL Ahmia Ask.com Baidu Bing Blackle Bre DuckDuckGo Ecosia Fireball Google Kiddle KidRex KidzSearch Lycos Mojeek Ner Parsijoo Perplexity AI Petal Presearch Seznam.cz Sogou Swisscows WebCrawler Yahoo! 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