Telegram is another of the best known messaging applications, although not as famous as WhatsApp, at least for now. It appeared for the first time in August 2013, a bit late compared to others. The application was developed by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, brothers who were exiled from their country Russia. In addition, they were also the creators of VK, a social network with a lot of popularity, especially in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Telegram is an instant messaging service that is used mainly to hold person-to-person or group conversations. Since its inception, it has focused on the security of communications, providing a double layer of security when we have private conversations. This high level of security has been improving as well as the new functions that have been added.
Telegram, like other applications of the same type, the main objective is to reach the largest possible number of public. For this reason it is available for most platforms (IOS, Android, Windows …) in this way they make sure that everyone can use it. It also has a web version to connect from practically any device that has a web browser and an internet connection. All this without the need to download any type of software. At the time it even had versions for BlackBerry and Windows Phone.
With very little time to live, Telegram reached 9 million users, reaching 500 million users in 2020. Many people tired of the continuous crashes of other instant messaging applications decided to switch to Telegram.
Changes are coming to Telegram
Unsurprisingly having so many active users has led to some changes. The need for money to support their growth increases. After all, the greater the number of users, the greater the amount of traffic and server expenses. So to solve this problem, Telegram has decided that it will begin to be monetized and these have been the words of Pável Durov through a post: “A project of our size needs at least a few hundred million dollars a year to continue”
We have to admit that until now most of the expenses of the company had come from the pockets of the Durov brothers. But the exponential growth of the company is what has prompted them to currently need good financing to continue operating. At some point the idea of selling the company came to pass through their heads, but that idea was immediately discarded. They hinted that they were not going to be sold like WhatsApp and that the world needed Telegram to be independent, respectful and of high quality.
The thought of Pável and Nikolái is to generate income from next year. Do not panic! All features that are currently free will continue to be free. Only a few new features will be added that will be paid for commercial teams or advanced users.
In addition, the functions intended for messaging will continue to be ad-free since they do not think it is a good idea to show ads in private chats.
Telegram Premium Content and Advertising Platform
For now, Telegram will focus on ending intrusive ads shown by the owners of some public channels with the launch of its own platform. This platform, the Durov brothers assure, will be easy to use, respect privacy and cover the costs of traffic servers.
These are Durov’s verbatim words about the benefits of the platform change:
“If we monetize large public channels through the advertising platform, the owners of these channels will receive free traffic in proportion to their size. Or, if Telegram presents Premium stickers with additional features, the artists who make stickers of this new type will also get a part of the profits. We want millions of Telegram-based creators and small businesses to prosper, enriching the experience for all of our users. ”
Therefore, and as we pointed out in the previous section, all one-to-one conversations on Telegram will remain free of advertising. On the other hand, in the large channels that have functions similar to the social network groups, it will be possible to add advertising that will be less invasive. According to comments made by the brothers, it is said that if Telegram starts making money, the community should also benefit. So public channel owners who are monetized through the platform will receive free traffic in return in proportion to their size.
Another way in which Telegram will get financing is through Premium content. This will include special stickers with additional features with which creators will also get a share of the benefits.
In short, and apart from these changes, Telegram will continue to be available for all existing platforms and with options for all tastes.