Telegram’s public channels attract over 1 trillion views every month. To truly benefit from that scale, having great content isn’t enough — you need a clear, results-driven strategy. In this guide, we’ll walk through five proven ways, both paid and unpaid, to grow your Telegram channel in 2025.
The average Telegram user checks the app 21 times a day and spends over 4 hours per month on the platform. And if you consistently show up with posts that inform, entertain, or help people solve real problems, your channel can become a trusted source they rely on and recommend to others.
To keep your audience interested and coming back, your Telegram content strategy should be built around a few key principles:
If your topic requires more depth (for example, a case study or a how-to), consider breaking it into multiple short posts, or formatting it into a structured list.
Here is an example of a well-structured post:
To build meaningful engagement, you need to know what’s working. Telegram provides built-in statistics for channels with more than 50 subscribers. This tool offers a range of data visualizations that help you understand how your content is performing and how people are interacting with your channel.
Some of the key metrics you can track include:
These insights let you fine-tune your content strategy in real time — doubling down on what works and adjusting what doesn’t — so you’re always aligned with your audience’s interests.
If you want to take your Telegram channel beyond organic reach, using Telegram Ads is one of the most effective ways to scale. These short (up to 160 characters), text-based promotions appear at the bottom of public and private channels with more than 1,000 subscribers, in bots with over 1,000 monthly active users, and in Search results. Telegram Ads are marked as “sponsored” and are targeted to users based on the context of the channels they engage with.
Why use Telegram Ads?
Cost-effectiveness. The platform uses a cost-per-thousand-views model, so you only pay when people actually see your ad. The starting rate is just 0.1 TON — Telegram’s native cryptocurrency — which right now is about $2.8. That means you can get your message in front of 1,000 people for less than 30 cents. Compared to platforms like Facebook or Instagram, where CPMs can climb to $10 or more, this is a cost-effective solution.
Effective targeting. Telegram lets you place ads in specific channels — including those in your niche or even direct competitors — as well as bots. Your promotions show up in front of people who are already interested in similar topics and are more likely to interact with your content and become loyal followers.
Low competition. Telegram is still in the early days of advertising adoption. Since the platform isn’t flooded with sponsored content, people don’t experience the usual “banner blindness.” That means your ad stands out more and has a better chance of getting read, clicked, and acted on — especially when the message is clear and relevant.
Collaborating with Telegram influencers significantly boost your growth. Instead of trying to capture attention from scratch, you’re getting a warm introduction from someone their audience already follows and respects. According to statistics, nearly 70% of consumers are more likely to trust recommendations from influencers, friends, and family than from brands themselves.
Another key advantage of Telegram influencer marketing is access to Telegram Premium’s 15 million active users. These high-value subscribers are more engaged, more responsive, and significantly more likely to convert and remain loyal over time.
To make sure you’re investing in partnerships that actually drive results, here are a few quick things to look for when evaluating potential influencers:
When executed well, Telegram influencer marketing can drive a significant influx of new subscribers in a short period. More importantly, these new members are likely to stay engaged since they were introduced to your channel by someone they regard as a valuable source of information.
One of the easiest ways to get discovered by new users is by listing your channel on popular Telegram directory websites. These are online platforms that categorize and showcase Telegram channels based on topics, industries, and audience interests. Think of them like search engines just for Telegram — places where users go to explore and join new communities.
Getting listed in Telegram directories won’t replace paid ads or influencer promotions, but it’s a solid, passive growth channel that can bring in new subscribers steadily over time. It’s free, easy to set up, and places your channel in front of users who are actively searching for content in your niche.
Some of the best growth opportunities actually happen offline. When you’re hosting an event, printing product packaging, or sharing a presentation, you can use QR codes to guide people straight to your Telegram channel. And it’s working: in 2025, QR codes were scanned over 41 million times, which is more than four times higher than just a few years ago.
There are many moments that are perfect for placing a QR code. Here are just a few ideas:
In short, a well-placed QR code removes all the barriers: no need to search, type, or remember links. It’s a fast, frictionless way to turn offline attention into real subscribers.
There’s no single trick to growing a Telegram channel, but there is a system. And like any system, it’s about doing the right things repeatedly: posting content people care about, putting it in front of the right audience, and making it easy for them to discover and join. When all the parts work together, growth becomes natural and sustainable.