Super Channels, Star Reactions and Subscriptions

Today is Telegram's 11th anniversary. Since August 2013, we've pioneered hundreds of features and grown to nearly one billion users with zero marketing budget — all thanks to the support we got from you, our dear users and content creators.

With today's update, we continue the tradition of giving back to our community. Meet Star Reactions and Star Subscriptions that let users support content creators, paid media for bots and Business accounts, and a new mode for Telegram Channels that lets admins post as their other channels or personal profiles.

Star Reactions

Users can now directly support their favorite channels and content creators by sending them Telegram Stars using a new Star reaction.

Channel owners receive 100% of the stars — and can convert them into Toncoin cryptocurrency rewards or subsidized ads.

Just in case tapping is your game.

Each post with star reactions shows a leaderboard with the top senders, but users can opt out of appearing there if they prefer more privacy.

Just in case you want to stand out — and in case you don't.

To turn on Star Reactions on your posts, go to Channel Settings > Reactions > Enable Paid Reactions.

Star Subscriptions

Content creators can now make special invite links that allow joining a channel in exchange for a monthly payment in Telegram Stars.

Just in case you're something of a star yourself.

It takes just a few taps to create an exclusive channel for extra content, early access media, or VIP livestreams.

To create a paid link, go to Channel Settings > Channel Type > Manage Invite Links > Create a New Link and enable Require Monthly Fee.

Paid Media for Bots

Channel owners can monetize their efforts by posting paid photos and videos in their channels.

This update makes paid posts available to bots — including bot admins in channels and bots powering Telegram Business accounts.

Just in case your content wants to buy a bot.

This opens new ways to automate channels and businesses — or build sustainable services like image generation, video upscaling, and more.

Developers can find out more about implementing this feature here.

Power to the Content Creators

Telegram charges next to zero commission when developers or channel owners use their stars to receive rewards in Toncoin.

If content creators decide to reinvest stars into promoting their channel with Telegram ads, we will subsidize such ads with a further 30% discount.

Super Channels

When you post in a Telegram channel, subscribers will normally see the name and picture of the channel instead of your own.

Starting today, you can make your channel look more like a group where admins may post as their own profiles — or even as their other channels.

Just in case you want to put a channel in your channel.

Channel admins can change who they post as at any time by tapping the profile picture in the message bar. Admins are never visible unless they explicitly choose to post in the channel with their own profile.

To turn your channel into a Super Channel, go to Channel Settings > Administrators and turn on Sign Messages and Show Authors' Profiles.

Document Viewer on iOS

On iOS, documents like .pdf, .xls, or .docx are now opened in separate tabs of the Telegram browser to help you easily switch between files and messages in chats.