Kik

Kik is a cross-platform mobile messaging application for iOS and Android that lets users chat one-to-one and in groups using a username rather than a phone number or email address. Core features described by the company include Public Groups for community discovery, private groups, Kik Live streaming, Kik•It for one-to-one connections, Kik Codes for adding friends and joining groups, a Meet New People feature on Android, Stickers, Smileys, and Web History for sharing and discovering links. Users can send text, photos, videos, GIFs and games, and the service uses the device's existing data plan or Wi-Fi.

The app was developed by Kik Interactive, a Canadian company based in Waterloo, Ontario, founded in 2009. It grew rapidly among teenagers on the strength of username-based, phone-number-free registration, reaching a reported peak of 275-300 million registered users in 2015-2016 and roughly 40 percent adoption among U.S. teens. In 2017 Kik launched Kin, an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, via an initial coin offering intended to create an in-app digital economy, which subsequently drew scrutiny from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MediaLab acquired Kik in October 2019; the current kik.com site and the App Store developer listing ("Medialab - Kik") reflect MediaLab's operation of the service.

Recent operational changes documented in Kik's help centre include the end of the company's Kik Live partnership with The Meet Group, Inc. and a transition to a new streaming provider, the introduction of age assurance measures for users in Australia, and age verification plus account registration changes in the United Kingdom. Kik also states that it automatically filters and blurs content it deems inappropriate, that phone-contact syncing is no longer available, and that chat messages are cleared when a user logs out.

Founding story

Ted Livingston, who studied mechatronics engineering at the University of Waterloo from 2005, worked co-op terms at Research in Motion beginning in May 2007 and was promoted to Technical Product Management Coordinator in December 2007. He turned down a full-time RIM offer on his manager's advice to start his own company. Frustrated that BlackBerry's music experience required him to also carry an iPod, he began building a BlackBerry music service originally called Unsycned, later Kik Music, funding it with $45,000 of his own money, much of it inheritance. He assembled a founding team at the University of Waterloo's VeloCity residence, including co-founder Chris Best. After RIM refused to open BBM to third parties and cross-platform messengers such as WhatsApp and Ping gained traction in late 2009, the team pivoted to a standalone messaging app, which reached one million accounts within 15 days of relaunch.

Business model

Kik distributes a free consumer messaging app on iOS and Android. The app is free to download and, per Kik's help centre, the company states it will never ask users for money or payment methods; the App Store listing nonetheless lists in-app purchases. In-app monetization surfaces referenced in the sources include Stickers and Smileys purchased from an in-app shop, advertising in chats (noted by users), and previously the Kin token, an ERC-20 cryptocurrency introduced in 2017 to power in-app transactions across gaming and social features.

The sources do not detail current revenue streams beyond the app being free to download with in-app purchases listed on the App Store, in-app Sticker and Smiley shops, in-chat advertising noted by users, and the historical Kin token intended for in-app transactions.

Traction

Kik reported 80 million registered users in September 2013 with about 225,000 new users per day, over 275 million registered users at its 2015 peak, and roughly 300 million by 2016 with approximately 40% U.S. teen adoption; one source cites over 240 million registered users globally. At the time of the 2017 Kin ICO the app had about 15 million monthly users. The iOS app holds a 4.3 rating from 485,000 ratings and ranks #84 in Social Networking.

Latest developments

Kik's help centre documents an end to its Kik Live partnership with The Meet Group, Inc. and a move to a new streaming provider, the rollout of age assurance measures for Australian users, and new age verification and account registration requirements in the UK. Phone-contact syncing has been discontinued. The current website positions Kik around three pillars: Public Groups, Kik LIVE streaming, and Kik•It one-to-one connections. The iOS listing carries an 18+ age rating, a 4.3 average from 485,000 ratings, and a #84 rank in Social Networking.