Telegram Premium hits 10M subscribers, adds Star Giveaways

Telegram, the popular messaging platform, yesterday announced a significant milestone and introduced new features for its premium subscribers. The company revealed that Telegram Premium has surpassed 10 million subscribers, doubling its user base in less than eight months. This growth underscores the platform's commitment to sustainable monetization while prioritizing user privacy and experience.

Telegram Premium, launched as an optional subscription service, offers users exclusive features while supporting the app's development. According to the Telegram Team, this approach allows the platform to remain independent and prioritize its users over advertisers or shareholders.

Premium subscribers enjoy a range of enhanced capabilities, including:

1. Doubled limits on various features
2. 4 GB file uploads
3. Faster download speeds
4. Voice-to-text conversion
5. Premium stickers and unique reactions
6. Advanced chat management tools
7. Animated profile pictures
8. Profile badges
9. Premium app icons
10. Ad-free experience
11. Custom emoji
12. Enhanced voice message privacy settings
13. Voice-to-text for video messages
14. Emoji statuses
15. Real-time chat and channel translation

These features are designed to enhance the user experience while maintaining the platform's core functionality for all users.

New feature: Star Giveaways

The latest update introduces Star Giveaways, allowing group and channel owners to offer Telegram Stars as prizes. This feature aims to promote communities and reward random members. Winners can spend their Stars on paid media, exclusive subscriptions in channels, games, and mini apps within the Telegram ecosystem.

Channel and group owners benefit from hosting giveaways by earning boosts, which unlock the ability to post channel stories and access other perks. The giveaway system is designed to be transparent and customizable, with organizers able to access these features through specific paths within the app.

Enhanced Instant View Functionality

Telegram has also expanded its Instant View feature, which was initially launched in 2016. The latest update allows users to convert any article viewed in Telegram's in-app browser into a more readable, lightweight layout. This enhancement leverages Mozilla's open-source library, demonstrating Telegram's commitment to open-source technologies and improving content accessibility.

What It means to be a Telegram Premium subscriber

Being a Telegram Premium subscriber offers several advantages:

1. Exclusive Features: Access to a wide range of advanced features not available to regular users.
2. Enhanced User Experience: Enjoy faster downloads, larger file uploads, and more efficient chat management.
3. Ad-Free Environment: Premium users do not see official sponsored messages in large public channels.
4. Support for Independent Development: Subscription fees contribute to Telegram's sustainable growth and independence.
5. Cross-Platform Accessibility: Premium features sync across all devices associated with the subscriber's account.
6. Community Engagement: Ability to participate in and benefit from features like Star Giveaways.

Premium Features for Channels and Groups

The update also introduces level-based premium features for channels and groups. By receiving boosts from Premium subscribers, channels and groups can unlock additional capabilities:

• Channels can post more stories per day and add custom reactions as they level up.
• Groups gain access to features like additional stories, custom emoji packs, and unique customization options.

These enhancements aim to create more engaging and personalized experiences for community members.

Key Facts and figures:

• Update announcement date: September 6, 2024
• Premium subscribers: Over 10 million
• Growth rate: 2x increase in Premium subscribers in less than 8 months
• New features: Star Giveaways, expanded Instant View functionality
• Total user base: Approaching 1 billion