Telegram Launches ‘Business’ Features, Challenges Meta with Revenue-Sharing

Telegram Launches ⁣Business ‍Features and Ad Revenue Sharing to Rival WhatsApp and Messenger

Customizable Business Tools for Premium Subscribers

Telegram, the popular messaging app with over 900 million ​users, ⁣has introduced a ‍new set of ‍features called Telegram Business. These ‌tools, available ⁢exclusively to Telegram Premium subscribers, aim to help businesses communicate more effectively ⁢with their customers without the need for coding knowledge.

Telegram ​Business offers a range of customizable ‌options, such as:

• Setting business ‍hours and location on a map
• Customizing the ​start page for empty chats with ⁢text and stickers
• Using preset “quick replies” with formatting, links, media, stickers,​ and files
• Creating custom greeting messages for⁣ new and returning customers
• Managing availability with away messages ⁣during closed hours⁢ or vacations
• Categorizing chats using ⁤colored labels based on‍ folders‌ like ​delivery, claims, orders, VIP, or feedback

Seamless Customer Interaction and AI Integration

Businesses can create links that instantly open a Telegram chat‌ with a specific request, such as tracking an order or reserving a table. They‌ can also integrate Telegram bots, including AI assistants, to handle messages on their behalf. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has hinted at upcoming ​AI-powered chatbots for business users in future updates.

Competing‍ with Meta’s Apps⁢ and‌ Apple⁢ Messages for Business

Telegram Business aims to challenge the ​dominance of Meta’s apps like ⁤Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp in the business communication⁢ market. Even Apple has a small ⁢presence in this space ⁢with its Apple Messages for Business, used by companies ⁢such as Shopify, Aramark, Four Seasons, and others.

Accelerating ‌Growth and Profitability

Telegram Premium, which costs ‌$4.99 ⁣per month on ⁣iOS and‌ Android, has seen ‍rapid growth in subscribers, ⁤reaching 5 million in ⁣January 2024. ​Telegram Business ⁤is expected to further boost ‌Premium ‌subscriptions as the company aims‌ to become profitable by‌ 2025, leading ‌up to a ‌future​ IPO.

Ad Revenue Sharing ‍Program Launched

In addition to Premium subscriptions, Telegram generates revenue through Telegram Ads. The company has ​recently launched an⁤ ad revenue sharing program using toncoin, a token on the TON blockchain. Public channels with at least 1,000 subscribers can now generate 50% of the revenue from ads shown in their channels.

Telegram aims to launch AI-powered​ chatbots ⁤for business users.

As Telegram continues to innovate and expand its offerings, it is‌ positioning itself as⁤ a strong competitor ⁣in the business communication and messaging market.