You’re scrolling through yet another Facebook ad that feels like it was made for everyone and no one at the same time. Sound familiar? That’s where telegram advertising flips the script – and honestly, it’s about time someone did.
After running campaigns across every platform from Instagram to TikTok, I’ve found something that actually works: Telegram’s advertising ecosystem delivers engagement rates that make other platforms look like they’re sleepwalking. We’re talking 30% average engagement versus the 1-2% you’re probably seeing elsewhere.
Why Telegram Ads Hit Different
Here’s the thing about Telegram users – they’re not mindlessly scrolling. When someone joins a channel, they’re actively choosing to consume that content. It’s like the difference between someone walking into your store versus getting interrupted by a street vendor.
Telegram hit 1 billion monthly active users in March 2025, jumping from 950 million in July 2024 – that’s explosive growth in a market where most platforms are plateauing. But raw numbers don’t tell the whole story.
What matters is this: users spend an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes monthly on Telegram, and when they’re there, they’re engaged. Compare that to the endless scroll-and-skip behavior you see on other platforms.
The Real Numbers That Matter
Let’s cut through the marketing fluff and talk facts. I’ve tested this across multiple campaigns, and the data backs up what many marketers are discovering:
- Engagement rates average 30% on Telegram channels (versus 1-2% on Facebook)
- 2x higher advertising effectiveness compared to Instagram and Facebook
- Lower barrier to entry – channels need just 1,000+ subscribers to qualify for ads
- Minimum CPM starts at €2 ($2.14), making it accessible for smaller budgets
The telegram advertising platform research shows that more than half of Telegram subscribers read new posts immediately after publication. That’s the kind of attention every marketer dreams about.
How Telegram’s Ad System Actually Works
Unlike Facebook’s spray-and-pray approach, Telegram keeps it simple and targeted. Here’s what you’re working with:
Sponsored Messages: Limited to 160 characters, displayed in public channels with 1,000+ subscribers. Think of them as native ads that don’t scream “advertisement” at users.
Channel-Based Targeting: Ads appear based on channel topics, not invasive data tracking. Your fitness supplement ad shows up in health channels, not because you’ve been stalking someone’s workout photos.
No Personal Data Mining: This isn’t Facebook – Telegram doesn’t build creepy profiles about users’ personal lives to serve ads.
My Experience: What Actually Works
I’ll be straight with you – my first Telegram campaign was a disaster. I treated it like Facebook ads, threw up some generic creative, and wondered why engagement was trash. Here’s what I learned the hard way:
Quality over quantity wins every time. About 70% of Telegram channel administrators earn through advertising, while 40% sell products/services, but the successful ones aren’t the ones posting ads 24/7.
Timing matters more than you think. Based on my testing, channels that post every 4-10 hours see the best engagement. News channels can get away with hourly posts, but for most niches, patience pays off.
ERR (Engagement Rate Ratio) is your north star metric. Anything above 30% is solid; below 20% means you’re probably targeting the wrong audience or your content isn’t connecting.
The Hidden Opportunities
Here’s where it gets interesting – and where most marketers are missing out.
Almost 20% of Telegram’s monthly active users engage with at least one game on the platform. Gaming and mini-apps are exploding, creating new advertising opportunities that most brands haven’t even considered yet.
Geographic goldmines: India leads with approximately 100 million installs in 2024, followed by Russia at 38.4 million and the U.S. at 38.2 million. If you’re not thinking globally, you’re leaving money on the table.
Red Flags to Avoid
Not all Telegram channels are created equal. I’ve seen too many marketers get burned by fake engagement. Here’s what to watch for:
- Bot-heavy channels: If engagement looks too perfect or comments seem generic, run
- Inconsistent posting: Channels that post randomly aren’t building real communities
- Overly promotional content: If every third post is an ad, the audience is already ad-blind
The Future Play
Telegram isn’t just growing – it’s evolving. The platform raked in $13.6 million in in-app revenue in January 2025, and they’re reinvesting in features that make advertising more effective, not more invasive.
With Web3 integration and blockchain gaming becoming mainstream on the platform, early movers have a massive advantage. Think beyond traditional banner ads – interactive experiences and gamified content are where the real opportunities lie.
Bottom Line
Telegram advertising works because it respects the user experience while delivering real results. You’re not fighting against ad blockers or algorithm changes – you’re working with an engaged audience that actually wants to be there.
The numbers don’t lie: 2x better performance than Facebook, lower costs, and higher engagement. But like any platform, success comes down to understanding the audience and delivering value, not just pushing products.
Ready to test it out? Start small, focus on one niche, and remember – in a world of interruption marketing, Telegram lets you join the conversation instead of hijacking it.uments. But the main rule remains unchanged – it is necessary to make a high-quality product, then the increase from advertising will be noticeable.
Also read about: Advertising on Facebook and Instagram
