Telegram Launches Paid Subscriptions, Star Reactions for Creators

A blog post reports that Telegram announced the introduction of new monetization options for the creators on the platform. Key updates to the app include the launch of monthly paid subscriptions, where users can buy these subscriptions using digital currency—Stars—to receive exclusive content from creators.

Now, creators can generate invite links so that people may join their channel in return for a monthly fee paid in stars. This feature will allow creators to further monetize additional content, or early access to the same, much as Patreon serves for doing the same type of thing.

Now, creators on Telegram will be able to set prices for content independently and, in case they gain a number of stars, convert them to Toncoin cryptocurrency rewards or apply them for subsidized ads. Though, of course, while Telegram is going to take some commission from transactions involving stars, no percentage has been revealed yet.

This means star reactions will enable customers to support their favorite creators directly with just one in-app feature. And similar to how YouTube’s “Super Thanks” and X’s Tips work, star reactions ensure that the creators receive 100 percent of the Stars contributed through this feature.

These new tools represent an extension of Telegram’s ongoing efforts to help creators monetize their content. Last month, it began allowing creators to share paid-for content in channels, and earlier this year, it introduced ad revenue sharing.