Introduction
In Japan, there exists a unique online platform called note, which allows users to freely post articles, photos, audio, and videos. It also incorporates social networking features.
Currently, note is only available in Japan, and its presence has not expanded overseas. For this reason, people outside Japan may not be familiar with the platform. However, within Japan, it is popular and is one of the most widely used online platforms, attracting a large number of users.
If one proceeds with social media marketing, content marketing, or SEO marketing in Japan without knowing about note, they may fail to reach a significant segment of users. This is because note offers functions that are well-suited for all three of these marketing strategies.
In this article, we will explain the characteristics of note and introduce the features that make it such a powerful tool for marketing in Japan.
- Key Facts About note (as of 2025)
- Easy-to-Use Publishing Platform for Long-form Content
- High Domain Authority and SEO Visibility
- Built-in Social Networking Features
- Business-Friendly with Corporate Accounts & Pro Tools
- Strong Presence in the Japanese Market with Creative Collaboration
- Conclusion
Key Facts About note (as of 2025)
| Year Launched | 2014 |
| Basic Usage Cost | Free |
| Registered Users | 9.38 million |
| Monthly Active Users (MAUs) | 6.57 million |
| Total Published Posts | 56 million |
| Corporate Accounts | 4.2 million |
| Official Website | note |
Easy-to-Use Publishing Platform for Long-form Content
- A long-form platform that’s easy to use for content marketing.
Most social media platforms are designed to share short, real-time updates. As a result, they tend to specialize in visual content like photos and videos, or in brief messages.
However, note is fundamentally different.
One of the most important characteristics of note is that it is a platform where users can post long-form content. Many users share long texts to convey information or engage in communication with others.
Examples of such long posts include essays, fiction, and text-based content. In simple terms, note can be described as a blog-style platform. Because of this format, it serves as an effective tool for content marketing.
Outside of Japan, there is a similar long-form content platform called “Medium,” and note could be considered its Japanese equivalent. However, Medium has not gained much popularity in Japan, and note remains the most widely used platform for long-form writing.
The standard version of the note is free, which makes it easy for anyone to get started.
High Domain Authority and SEO Visibility
- An SEO-friendly platform that brings in users from search engines
note has very high domain authority. According to Ahrefs, its domain rating is 92, meaning that content posted on note tends to rank high in Google search results.
In some cases, it’s easier to have an article rank higher on search engines through note than by trying to raise the visibility of your own website.
Therefore, using note alongside SEO marketing is an effective strategy to attract users through search engines.
However, one thing to be careful about is that links from note are generally tagged with the nofollow attribute. This means they have limited value as backlinks.
That said, gaining visibility on note can lead to further sharing of your content, so it still offers value for off-page SEO strategies.
Unlike some social media platforms where content cannot be viewed without an account, articles on note can be accessed and read without logging in. This makes it more likely for content to appear in search results, and for more users to view it—making it a highly effective platform for marketing.
Built-in Social Networking Features
- Social features that enable online communication.
note is often recognized as a social media platform in Japan, due to its support for online communication among users.
For example, users can follow others whose posts they enjoy. This allows them to stay up to date with new content from those users.
It also has a “Like” feature (called “スキ”), which makes it easy to see which posts are popular. Furthermore, the comment feature enables direct communication between users.
In addition to such standard social media functions, note also has unique features, such as being selected for editorial “Picks” or “Recommendations”, which can dramatically increase the visibility of a post.
These social features encourage users to interact and publish actively. As a result, note has become a very popular platform in Japan for long-form content.
Business-Friendly with Corporate Accounts & Pro Tools
- A platform suitable for business marketing.
Many companies also have accounts on note. They use the platform to share long-form content, including product introductions, brand stories, and employee interviews.
For instance, international companies like Netflix Japan, as well as major Japanese corporations such as Kirin and Sapporo, have created corporate accounts and use notes for content marketing.
As of 2025, note is used by approximately 42,000 corporations.
Some companies subscribe to a premium service called note pro, which costs ¥80,000 per month. This service offers features such as:
- Customizable design
- Access analytics
- Priority visibility of posts
Thanks to these features and its long-form nature, note has become a distinctive content marketing platform that differs from other social media or traditional websites. Many companies have adopted it as a new marketing channel.
Strong Presence in the Japanese Market with Creative Collaboration
- A platform that protects and enhances brand image
Compared to other SNS platforms or content-sharing sites, note has less disposable content. That’s because it doesn’t rely on visuals like photos or videos, and because it focuses on long-form writing rather than short posts.
As a result, many high-quality pieces, such as travel essays and novels, are published on the platform, and it is known for having a large base of creative users.
note itself actively encourages these creators by hosting contests with prizes, leading to the publication of even more creative and valuable content.
Other social media platforms, which focus on short and visual content, may enjoy rapid growth in user numbers. However, this often comes with low-quality or harmful content, leading to chaotic environments.
For example, X (formerly Twitter) has seen the spread of fake news and politically disruptive posts, which has even led to damage to brand reputation. In fact, many organizations in Germany have withdrawn from the platform.
(German institutions depart X, a day after Musk’s Weidel talk / Deutsche Welle)
In contrast, note has not faced such problems. Thanks to its many high-quality, thoughtful posts and its lower content churn, it contributes positively to brand image.
Therefore, for companies aiming to establish a strong brand presence in Japan, note is an ideal platform.
Conclusion
note is a unique platform developed in Japan. Its long-form nature makes it a powerful tool for content marketing. At the same time, its social media features and high visibility on Google make it attractive from an SEO perspective as well.
Just because it is not available outside Japan does not mean it can be ignored.
If you want to engage in effective marketing in Japan, consider using this unique, locally-developed platform to your advantage.