What makes smartphone users satisfied with the mobile instant messenger?: Social presence, flow, and self-disclosure

Abstract

Users of smartphone-based Instant Messenger such as Whatsapp, wechet, LINE and KAKAO TALK are rapidly increasing. LINE acquired more than 50 million members by December 2012 just 1 year after its release, and as of April 2014, the number of LINE mobile instant messenger users was 400 million Users. Given the rarity of research on the use of instant messengers in smartphones, this study analyzed factors affecting user satisfaction by conducting a survey on 220 users of mobile instant messengers in smartphones. The survey results showed that self-disclosure, flow, and social presence significantly affected user satisfaction. This study will benefit researchers and contribute to industries that possess interest in factors affecting user satisfaction regarding the use of smartphone applications and mobile messengers.