Messenger: Telegram strengthens payment features with new functions
With an update, the messenger service Telegram wants to offer creatives and content providers more opportunities for monetization.
Telegram introduces new functions for earning money.
(Image: Sergei Elagin/Shutterstock.com)
The messenger service Telegram has introduced several new functions relating to paid content. The company has announced that users can support their favorite channels and providers with Telegram stars. The channel operators can convert stars into the in-house cryptocurrency Toncoin (Telegram Open Network) or discounted advertising.
Users can earn stars through in-app purchases and use them to buy digital products such as e-books, online courses or items in Telegram games. Users can now also donate their stars to channel operators. Those who do not block the function may appear as the top supporter of a channel.
(Image:Â Telegram)
Payment barrier for content and channels
Star subscriptions are another feature for monetizing content. Content creators can set up channels that users can only subscribe to via special invitation links. These subscriptions are subject to a fee, which must be paid monthly in the Telegram currency.
(Image:Â Telegram)
Creators can also place images and videos in their channels behind a paywall. Users can then unlock the paid posts for bots in exchange for stars. Super channels are to be given a stronger group feel. Until now, channel owners could only appear as a channel sender. Now it should also be possible for owners and admins to write as themselves or in the role of one of their other channels.
(Image:Â Telegram)
The document viewer on iOS has also been updated: the Telegram browser now opens files in separate tabs. This should make it easier to switch between files and messages.
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Telegram celebrated its eleventh birthday in August and claims to have more than 900 million active users.
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