How to get the LINE Official Account gray shield: verification steps, cost, and how it differs from the blue shield
The process described here is for LINE Official Accounts in Taiwan; it may differ in other countries, such as Japan.
After opening a LINE Official Account, many businesses notice that other accounts have a gray or blue shield next to their name, while theirs shows only a plain, ordinary mark, and customers can’t find them in search. That shield marks a “verified account.” This article explains what the shield colors mean, the benefits of verification, how to apply, and how verification relates to chatbots.
What do the shield colors mean?
| Type | Badge | How to get it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General account | No shield | Any newly created Official Account | All features work, but the account can’t be found in LINE search |
| Verified account | Gray shield | The business applies for free in the console, and LINE reviews it | The main goal for small businesses in Taiwan: searchable and more trustworthy |
| Enterprise account | Blue shield | Granted by LINE on its own initiative; can’t be applied for | Usually large companies or well-known brands |
Why apply for verification?
- Visibility in LINE search: verified accounts can be found in LINE search. When a friend recommends your shop, a customer can open LINE, search your name and add you right away. Unverified accounts can only be added by QR code or link, so you miss a whole source of organic traffic.
- More trust: the shield shows that LINE has reviewed your business information. To customers, an account with a shield looks less like a scam, which lowers the barrier to adding you as a friend, sharing their details or placing an order.
How to apply: four steps
- Sign in to the LINE Official Account management console: open your account settings, find the option to apply for a verified account, and submit the application for free.
- Fill in and prepare your business information: you need to provide registered business details, such as the business ID number from your company or business registration and your registered name. What you enter should match the official registration records.
- Submit and wait for review: LINE carries out the review, which generally takes anywhere from several business days to several weeks. Keep an eye on notification emails and the status in the console.
- Check the shield and search after approval: once approved, your account shows the gray shield and can be found in LINE search.
Application fields and review rules may change. For the actual details, see LINE’s official guidelines.
General tips on common rejection reasons
The most common problem is application details that don’t match the registration records: an account name too different from the registered name, a business ID number that doesn’t match the applicant, incomplete information, and so on. Keep your business registration documents at hand and check each field before you submit; it can save you a round of corrections. If your application is rejected, fix the issues described in the notice and apply again.
How does verification relate to chatbots?
This is the most common misunderstanding among businesses: you can absolutely use auto-replies without verification. Unverified general accounts can still use the Messaging API and connect to a platform like Chatbotta for LINE auto-replies, AI knowledge base answers and booking flows, all without restriction.
The right way to see it: verification is a bonus, not a requirement. Verification makes sure customers can find you and trust you; a bot makes sure customers are properly taken care of once they reach you. You can work on both at the same time: the days you spend waiting for review are a good time to set up your auto-replies.
After verification: handle the incoming inquiries
Once you’re verified and start showing up in search, inquiries usually increase, and customers mostly ask the same few questions: opening hours, prices, address, how to book. We recommend getting ready before the traffic arrives:
- Follow the LINE auto-reply tutorial to enable the Messaging API, then paste the Channel access token into Chatbotta to connect
- Upload your business information to the AI knowledge base so AI can answer all kinds of casually worded questions
- If your website also gets traffic, add the same customer service there with website chat and a single embed code snippet
Chatbotta offers a 14-day free trial, with a dedicated person to help you get set up and live (it can be extended depending on your progress). You can also add our official LINE account to ask questions.
FAQ
Q: Does LINE Official Account verification cost anything?
A: Applying for the gray-shield verified account is free, and you apply from the LINE Official Account management console. What you need to prepare is your registered business information (for example, your Taiwan business ID number), and LINE carries out the review. LINE’s official guidelines are the final word on the actual rules.
Q: Can an unverified Official Account use auto-replies?
A: Yes. Unverified accounts can still connect a chatbot through the Messaging API, so auto-replies, AI customer service and booking flows all work. Verification affects how easily customers find you in LINE search and how they perceive you, not whether you can run a bot.
Q: How do I apply for the blue shield?
A: The blue shield (enterprise account) is granted by LINE on its own initiative; you can’t apply for it. What regular businesses can apply for is the gray-shield verified account. For small businesses in Taiwan, the gray shield already brings the benefits of LINE search visibility and trust.