A Beginner's Guide to Telegram Ads : Launch Your First Ad from Scratch

On the ever-evolving map of digital marketing, Telegram is rapidly emerging as an undeniable force. It’s more than just an instant messaging tool; it’s a content ecosystem with a vast and highly engaged user base. For creators and marketers seeking new channels to reach an audience, Telegram offers a unique path to a targeted audience through its channels. Here, your message can bypass the noise of traditional algorithms and be presented directly to groups of people interested in specific topics.

However, how do you leverage Telegram’s advertising system to turn this platform’s potential into tangible marketing results? Many beginners might feel a bit confused when first faced with Telegram Ads. Fear not, this brand new 2025 guide will walk you through the inner workings of Telegram Ads, the creation process, and the key techniques for finding target channels, helping you confidently take your first step in successfully launching your first Telegram ad.

How Do Telegram Ads Work?

Compared to mainstream social platforms like Facebook or Instagram, the design philosophy of Telegram Ads emphasizes simplicity and directness. It’s managed through a streamlined dashboard, and its operational model can be summarized as follows:

Ad Unit: Each Telegram ad consists of two parts: a title and text of up to 160 characters and a custom link. This link is critical because, according to platform policy, it must point to a t.me link for a Telegram channel or Bot. External website links (e.g., https://www.yourwebsite.com) are currently not allowed. The ad appears as a “sponsored post” nestled between the channel’s regular content.
Payment Method: Telegram Ads use the unique TON Crystal (or simply TON) token for billing. You pre-fund your ad account with TON coins, which serve as your campaign budget. The billing model is CPM (Cost Per Mille), meaning you pay for every 1,000 ad impressions. This means even if no one clicks, as long as your ad is shown 1,000 times, a corresponding fee is incurred.
Revenue Sharing: This is a crucial mechanism. The revenue from Telegram ads is split 50/50 with the channel owner. When your ad is displayed in a specific channel, the owner of that channel receives half of the TON coins generated from that impression. This policy greatly incentivizes channel owners to accept and display ads, creating a stable, high-intent advertising environment for you.
Review Process: All ads go through a manual review by Telegram before they go live. This ensures the ad content complies with platform policies and community standards. If your ad is rejected, the system will clearly outline the required changes.

How to Log In to the Telegram Ads Dashboard?

Before you begin, you need a Telegram account with basic verification (e.g., a linked phone number). The login process for the ad dashboard is very strict to protect account security.

Open a Browser: Search for “Telegram Ads” on Google or another search engine and click the official link to go to the main page.
Initiate Login: Click the “Log in to start advertising” button. You will be asked to enter the phone number linked to your Telegram account.
Receive Request: After submitting your phone number in the browser, immediately open your Telegram App (on your phone or computer). You will receive a login request from the official “Telegram” contact.
Confirm Login: Carefully review the login request details (device, IP address, etc.), and confirm it’s correct. Then, click “Approve” or “Confirm” within Telegram.
Complete Setup: Return to the browser page; your Telegram account should now be successfully authenticated. The system will guide you to complete your ad account information, including your name, email, country, and phone number. Click “Save” after filling it out.

After completing these steps, you have successfully logged into the Telegram Ads dashboard and can start creating your first ad.

Ad Creation: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

After logging in, click the “Create a new ad” button on the main screen to enter the ad setup wizard. Here is a detailed breakdown of the steps:

Ad Title: Here, you can give your ad an internal name, e.g., “Promote Tearning Telegram Channel.” This title is only visible to you in the dashboard and is not public-facing; its purpose is for managing multiple ad campaigns.
Ad Text: This is the part users can see directly. The text is limited to 160 characters. Use clear and compelling language to grab the user’s attention in this very short space, encouraging them to click.
Link: Enter the URL where you want your target audience to go. It must be a t.me link to a Telegram channel or Bot. This link will appear as a prominent button below the ad text on user devices.
Initial Status: You can choose to activate the ad immediately or schedule it to run at a future time.
Ad Schedule: You can set specific time slots for your ad to run each day or choose “All day” for 24/7 viewing.
Other Information: This is an optional notes field for internal information for yourself or your team, e.g., “Test Ad A: Summer Special Offer.”
Target Specific Channels: This is the most crucial step. You need to manually enter the Telegram channel links where you want the ad to be displayed. Press “Enter” to add more. To get a channel’s link, simply open the channel in Telegram, tap its name, and you’ll see a “Copy link” option.
CPM in TON: Enter the amount of TON coins you are willing to pay for every 1,000 impressions. The minimum CPM mentioned in the video is 0.01 TON. The CPM you set affects your ad’s display priority and competitiveness within the targeted channels. A higher value increases the chance your ad will be prioritized by the channel owner.
Daily Views Limit per User: Set a daily cap on how many times a single user can see your ad. This helps prevent ad fatigue and user annoyance from over-exposure.
Initial Budget in TON: Set the total budget in TON coins for your entire ad campaign.
Daily Budget in TON: This is an optional setting to cap your daily spending if you want to limit your daily outlay.

Finally, read and accept Telegram’s ad terms and conditions, then press “Create Ad” to launch your campaign. The system will likely prompt you that the balance is insufficient, meaning you need to top up the ad account with TON coins. We will cover this process step-by-step in our next video on the channel, so don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications for updates.

How to Find Telegram Channels in Any Niche to Target?

70% of ad campaign success depends on the channels you choose. Finding niche channels that are a perfect match for your product or service is key to achieving a high conversion rate.

Use Telegram’s Built-in Search: This is the most direct method. In the Telegram App’s search bar, type keywords related to your industry. For example, if you’re promoting fitness products, search for terms like “fitness,” “weight loss,” or “yoga” to see a list of relevant public channels and groups.
Use Dedicated Telegram Directory Sites: Some third-party websites specialize in cataloging and categorizing a wide variety of Telegram channels. You can find links to these sites in the video creator’s description box.
Search via Google: Try searching on Google with phrases like “Telegram channels + your niche.” For instance, searching for “Telegram channels crypto news” or “best Telegram channels for learning Spanish” can lead you to blog posts or lists featuring popular channels.
Try “t.me” Format Links: Some channels use short links like t.me/yourkeyword. You can try entering a link with your keyword prefix to see if you get direct results for relevant channels. For example, typing t.me/web3 might take you directly to a channel named web3 or its public profile.
Engage in Social Media Communities: Platforms like X (Twitter) and Reddit have many accounts and communities dedicated to sharing and recommending top Telegram channels by user interest. By joining these communities, you can discover high-quality channels through word-of-mouth.

Ultimate Tips for a Successful Ad on Telegram

After understanding the technical process, let’s talk about strategies to make your ad stand out.

Precision is King: Don’t go for a broad, “all-inclusive” approach. Who is your target audience? What are they interested in? Find communities where the channel’s topics are a perfect match for your product/service. For example, if your product is an efficiency tool for Android developers, channels dedicated to “Android development” or “Kotlin programming” are your golden targets.
Craft Concise Copy: The 160-character limit forces your copy to be like a sharp dagger, piercing straight to the point. Use strong verbs, numbers, and hooks to grab the user’s attention in an instant as they scroll. Ask yourself: when a user sees this, is their first reaction “not for me” or “what’s this? I want to know more”?
Offer a Special Deal: Why should users click your ad and not something else? Give them an irresistible reason. “Exclusive discount,” “First-time free trial,” “Exclusive benefits reserved for channel members” can significantly boost your click-through rate. Make your ad look like an “insider message,” not a commercial broadcast.
Test, Test, and Test Again (A/B Testing): Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Create 3-5 different versions of your ad (different headlines, different offers) and run them simultaneously. Monitor their performance. Which copy has the highest CTR? Which channel has the best conversion rate? After running for a week, decisively pause the underperforming ads and focus the budget on the successful one. This is the only way to make data-driven decisions and maximize your ad ROI.

When leveraging Telegram ads for niche marketing, marketers often need to manage multiple Telegram accounts. You might need a dedicated account for testing different ad creatives, another for engaging with potential customers, and a third for managing your own channel. If all these operations are carried out on the same device or browser environment, their digital footprints (such as IP address, browser fingerprint, device identifier) are identical.

This poses a significant risk to Telegram’s platform algorithms. Once the platform detects you’re operating a “matrix of accounts” (especially when the behavioral patterns between accounts show clear signs of marketing automation), they are highly likely to flag you as a spammer or abuser of their service. This could lead to all related accounts being collectively warned, restricted, or even banned. For someone relying on Telegram for marketing, this is equivalent to placing all assets in one basket and then pushing it off a cliff.

FlashID is an essential tool for solving this core pain point. It allows you to create a completely isolated, fingerprint-independent digital identity for each marketing task.

Create a Separate Environment for Each Account: You can use FlashID to create a “Test Account A” and an “Engagement Account B.” When you use “Test Account A” in Chrome Window 1 to run an ad in a “fitness channel,” “Engagement Account B” in Chrome Window 2 can simultaneously have normal conversations with another group without leaving any digital traces that can be linked together. This physical isolation is the most robust defense against account association bans from platforms like Telegram.
Improve Operational Efficiency and Security: In Telegram ad marketing, you need to log in to multiple channels and manage multiple ad accounts simultaneously. FlashID’s tab-syncing feature allows you to efficiently manage and synchronize configurations across multiple ad windows under a single master account, ensuring your marketing strategy is executed precisely and consistently, while minimizing account security risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Besides using TON coins, can I use other currencies like US dollars to fund my Telegram ad account?
A: No, currently not. The billing and payment ecosystem for Telegram Ads is entirely based on its native TON Crystal (TON) token. You will need to purchase TON coins through supported cryptocurrency exchanges or service platforms and then deposit them into your ad account. Therefore, before launching your ad campaign, you need to complete a necessary step: learning how to buy and store TON coins.
Q: If my ad is rejected by the Telegram review team, how should I modify it? Should I resubmit it?
A: Don’t worry, rejection is common. When your ad is rejected, Telegram usually specifies the issue in the feedback, most commonly including: the link points to an external website, the copy content violates policies, or the target channel has insufficient members. Modify your ad content based on the feedback (especially the link part), and then you can resubmit it for review. It’s recommended to read Telegram’s advertising policy carefully once more before resubmitting to ensure the modified content is fully compliant.
Q: How can I find target Telegram channels for a specific niche, for example, independent game developers?
A: For a highly vertical niche like independent game developers, you need a more granular search strategy. First, search within Telegram for keywords like “indie game,” “Indie Dev,” “GameMaker,” or “Unity China.” Second, use Google to search for phrases like “Telegram Indie Game Channels” or “independent game developer community TG” to find blog posts or lists curated by developer communities. Finally, pay close attention to Telegram links shared on social media platforms they use, such as X/Twitter or IndieHackers.
Q: I found a channel I’d really love to advertise in, but it only has 800 members, below the 1,000-member minimum required by the ad system. What should I do?
A: This is a hard limit set by the ad platform. You cannot directly advertise on that channel. There are two alternatives: ① Look for alternative channels that are very similar in topic but have over 1,000 members. ② If this channel is extremely high-quality with a highly targeted audience, you can try contacting the channel owner directly to see if you can arrange a non-official partnership, such as paying them to post a promotional article.
Q: The 160-character limit for Telegram ad copy is so short. How can I write good copy within such a limited space?
A: This is where your copywriting skills are truly tested. It’s recommended to use the “Problem/Pain Point + Solution/Benefit + Call to Action” formula. For example: “Still struggling with foreign language learning? (Problem) Try our AI speaking partner, just 15 minutes a day! (Solution & Benefit) Click to enter for a free trial! (Call to Action).” Use punctuation like exclamation points and question marks to add emphasis and ensure the link button conveys the expectation of “learn more.”
Q: What CPM bid should I set for my ad? 0.01 TON is the minimum, but for better exposure, should I bid higher?
A: For beginners, it’s advisable to start with the minimum of 0.01-0.05 TON. Telegram’s ad priority is based on a combination of CPM and estimated engagement rate (CTR). Even with a low CPM, your ad might get good impressions if your copy and chosen target channel are highly relevant. Test for a period of time first, observe the actual impressions and click data. If you find your budget is spent quickly but the results are poor, you can then consider increasing your bid.
Q: During an ad campaign, which key metrics should I monitor to determine if the ad is successful?
A: Focus on three core metrics: ① Impressions: To understand how often your ad is being shown. ② Clicks: To measure the appeal of your copy and link button. The most important metric is ③ Click-Through Rate (CTR), calculated as Clicks / Impressions. A healthy CTR is crucial for understanding how well your ad is resonating with your target audience. Early on, you can set your own CTR goal, for example, 0.5% - 1%; a rate above this indicates good performance.
Q: Besides paying for ads, what other free or low-cost methods can I use to promote my channel or product on Telegram?
A: Absolutely! Telegram is a community-driven platform. ① Collaboration Posts/ Cross-Promotion: Find channels with a similar follower count, related themes, and no direct competition. Reach out to the owners to negotiate posting each other’s content or recommending each other. ② Content is King: Consistently post high-quality, valuable content in your own channel to attract natural subscriptions and shares—this is the most long-term promotional strategy. ③ Leverage Telegram Features: Enhance user engagement by creating interesting Telegram Polls, Q&A bots, or hosting small online events.
Q: If my product is a game or software download, but Telegram doesn’t allow external links, how should I guide users?
A: This is a key challenge. Since you can’t link directly to the App Store or your website, the core strategy is “to引流 and convert within Telegram first”. The best method is: ① Create a dedicated Telegram channel for your game/software to publish the latest news, updates, user community, and tutorials. ② In your ad, have your t.me link point to this fully-functional channel. ③ In the channel’s description or pinned posts, clearly provide the download link for the App Store/Google Play. This way, you can first build a private audience pool within Telegram and then guide them to download, while also earning a portion of ad revenue through the 50/50 split.
Q: If a user sees my ad every day, will they get annoyed? How should I set the Daily Views Limit per User parameter?
A: Yes, repeated overexposure is a major cause of ad fatigue and user annoyance. Setting a Daily Views Limit per User is a very good practice. For a standard ad, it’s recommended to set it to 1 time per day. This ensures each user in the channel sees your ad no more than once daily, which guarantees exposure without being intrusive. If this is a very important promotion, you might consider increasing it to 2 times for a short period (e.g., during the event), but be sure to change it back to 1 time afterward.

A Beginner’s Guide to Telegram Ads : Launch Your First Ad from Scratch