I now feel that the messenger culture in the US is quite diverse.

It is true that iMessage dominates due to the large number of iPhone users, but one of the apps I frequently use these days is WhatsApp. It may be a bit unfamiliar to Koreans, but this app is definitely not to be overlooked in the US. Just how popular is WhatsApp in the US?

To put it simply, WhatsApp is a messenger that is surprisingly widely used in the US. Since I live in Dallas, which has a large immigrant population, I naturally find myself using WhatsApp, especially when working with people of Mexican descent.

In terms of market share, iMessage is the absolute leader, and Facebook Messenger is also used quite a bit. However, it is said that about 20-25% of smartphone users in the US use WhatsApp. Given that the US population is around 330 million, that means over 60 million people are using it, which is not a small number.

Who primarily uses WhatsApp? Immigrants, especially among Latinos, South Americans, and Europeans, use WhatsApp almost as a must-have app. For example, friends from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Italy, and India contact their families and friends via WhatsApp just like Koreans do with KakaoTalk.

Moreover, the use of WhatsApp for business communication is also increasing in the US. Small business owners, in particular, use it for customer service and quick communication. I often see files being exchanged and quick communication happening via WhatsApp when I work with Latino businesses.

That said, it is difficult to say that WhatsApp is the main messenger in the US. iMessage has such a strong ecosystem and is a default app, so there is no need to install something new. Additionally, due to the typical American tendency of "not doing what is bothersome," many people often do not bother to install new apps. Furthermore, since Facebook Messenger is still widely used, WhatsApp has a bit of a 'messenger for immigrants' vibe.

However, the important thing is that WhatsApp is quietly but steadily gaining traction in the US.

Especially in areas with a lot of international communication or multicultural environments, the presence of WhatsApp becomes more significant. In cities like LA, New York, Miami, and Houston, WhatsApp is quite commonly used. While iMessage serves as the default messenger among Americans, WhatsApp plays a role as the "standard for international communication." Thanks to this, I, as a Korean, can connect without issues with friends from Brazil, Mexican businesses, and acquaintances from Europe.

In the future, the use of WhatsApp in the US is likely to increase. Especially among Gen Z, there are signs of choosing WhatsApp over iMessage as they become more sensitive to security and privacy issues. Ultimately, it seems that the frequently used messenger varies depending on who you are connected with and what kind of relationships you have.

One thing is certain: WhatsApp in the US is not a "you'll regret not knowing it" app, but it is definitely a "useful app if you know it." If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend using it when you have a foreign friend around.

But why do only Koreans use KakaoTalk in the US? I think there are aspects that make it difficult to use in the US. KakaoTalk requires phone number verification when you first sign up. However, if you sign up with a US number, no one shows up in friend recommendations. Even if you sync contacts, most people do not connect. In the end, many people delete it, wondering, "Why am I using this app?" On the other hand, WhatsApp is often easy to connect with overseas friends, so many people start using it right away.

And while Kakao is a large company in Korea, it is virtually unknown in the US. Americans are reluctant to install new apps. They tend to only use apps that "everyone uses." This is partly due to sensitivity to security and partly due to sheer laziness.