Telegram celebrated its 11th anniversary by unveiling a range of new monetisation tools designed to support content creators on its platform. Since its launch in August 2013, the messaging app has grown to nearly one billion users and continues to innovate with features that allow creators to earn directly from their audience.
As mentioned in Telegram’s blog post, one of the key introductions is Star Reactions, which enables users to send Telegram Stars to their favourite channels as a form of support. Creators receive the full value of these Stars, which can be converted into Toncoin cryptocurrency rewards or used for subsidised advertising. This feature is akin to similar offerings on platforms such as YouTube and X, where users can make direct contributions to content creators.
In addition to Star Reactions, Telegram introduced Star Subscriptions, a new model where creators can charge a monthly fee in Stars for access to exclusive content. This could include early access to media, additional content, or VIP livestreams, positioning Telegram as a potential competitor to platforms like Patreon within the creator economy.
Telegram has also expanded its monetisation capabilities by allowing paid media posts for bots. This update enables channel owners and bot admins to monetise their efforts by charging for photos and videos posted in channels, opening new revenue streams for businesses and content creators alike.
Another addition is the enhanced mode for Telegram Channels, which allows administrators to post content as other channels or their personal profiles. This feature offers more flexibility in content presentation, giving channel owners greater control over how their messages are delivered.
These updates come as Telegram continues its rapid growth, aiming to surpass the one billion user milestone this year. Over the past year, the company has introduced 17 major updates, including features like Stories, Profiles, and Telegram Business, reflecting its ongoing commitment to innovation and user engagement. With plans to achieve profitability and potentially go public next year, Telegram’s latest initiatives highlight its focus on building a sustainable platform for content creators.