Telegram Stars is Telegram’s new in-app currency that enables creators to monetize their channels, sell their apps and let users make in-app purchases.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything from what Telegram Stars are, how you can earn and convert them, to how you can use them to boost your channel's monetization. 

What are Telegram Stars?

Telegram Stars are a new, in-app currency introduced by Telegram to facilitate seamless monetization for creators. Similar to how games have integrated in-app currencies, Telegram Stars enable users to support their favorite channels and content creators, while giving channel owners a new revenue stream.

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Before the introduction of Telegram Stars, Telegram already had a robust payment system in place, designed primarily for bot developers and businesses to facilitate payments seamlessly within the app via payment methods such as credit card. This payment integration will continue to be part of the Telegram platform, however, due to limitations set by Google & Apple, bot developers and creators were not allowed to accept direct payments for digital goods and virtual services, hence the introduction of Stars.

How to Buy Stars

Buying Telegram Stars is straightforward. Users can purchase Stars directly within the Telegram app using the in-app purchase system. Here’s how to buy Stars:

• Open the Telegram App, head to Settings > My Stars and press “Buy More Stars”

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If you don’t yet see the Stars sections in your Settings:

• Navigate to a channel where Stars are accepted, such as Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Channel.
• Interact with Star-Enabled Content - Find a post, message, or feature that allows star interaction or purchase.
• Follow Purchase Prompts - Follow the in-app prompts to purchase Stars, selecting your preferred amount.
• Complete the Purchase - Use your chosen payment method to finalize the transaction, Telegram supports convenient payment methods such as Apple Pay & Google Pay.

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Alternatively, you can buy Stars via Fragment. At the time of writing, Stars listed on Fragment are cheaper compare to the in-app purchase, but you will need Toncoin to buy via the site. 

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How to Convert Stars to Cash

Once you’ve accumulated Telegram Stars, you might want to cash them out. In the case of Telegram, developers and channel owners can convert Stars into Toncoin ($TON), the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON), a decentralized blockchain originally developed by Telegram.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Go to Fragment - Visit the Fragment platform, which facilitates the conversion process.
• Log In - Use your Telegram account to log in to Fragment, and connect your Telegram Wallet.
• Convert - Convert your Stars into TON.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly convert your Telegram Stars into TON, enabling you to make the most of your earnings within the Telegram ecosystem.

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Note: users buying Stars won’t be able to convert them back into TON. When users send Stars as a payment, developers or creators will see a separate balance on the pages of the respective bots or channels, which can be converted via Fragment or used for Telegram Ad Payments.

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How to Earn Stars

Earning Telegram Stars is primarily designed for channel owners who create engaging and high-quality content. Here’s how you can start earning Stars:

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Users Can React in Stars, and Channel Owners Get These Stars

One of the easiest ways for channel owners to earn Stars is through reactions. Each time a user reacts to your content with a star, those Stars get added to your account. This direct feedback loop incentivizes quality and engagement.

Channel Owners Can Charge Paid Subscriptions

With Telegram Stars, channel owners can set up paid subscriptions for exclusive content. Subscribers pay with Stars, providing a steady stream of income and fostering a more committed community around your channel.

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To create a paid link, go to Channel Settings > Channel Type > Manage Invite Links > Create a New Link and enable Require Monthly Fee.

Channel Owners Can Have Paid Photos & Posts

Monetize your unique and high-value content by creating paid photos and posts. Users must spend Stars to access this premium content, allowing you to capitalize on your most engaging materials.

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You can find details on how to setup the Paid Media functionality in Telegram’s API Documentation.

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App Store Commission

Telegram ensures compliance with app store policies by integrating a 30% commission on all star purchases. This aligns with the standard commission rates for digital goods sales across major app stores.

Telegram is Giving 30% Discount to its Ad Platform for Those Who Want to Reinvest the Stars in Advertising

To incentivize growth and investment back into the Telegram ecosystem, Telegram is currently offering a 30% discount on its ad platform for users who choose to reinvest their Stars into advertising. This provides an opportunity for content creators to expand their reach and drive more engagement.

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Are Telegram Stars a cryptocurrency?

While Telegram Stars are a virtual currency and it has some commonalities with cryptocurrneices, there are important differences between Stars and cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, or even Telegram-linked Toncoin. It’s important to note that as long as you do not convert your Stars, they are Telegram’s property and Telegram could at any time decide to freeze your account or discontinue the Stars program. Telegram further specifies in its terms that Stars earned are valid for 3 years and will be forfeited thereafter.

Providing Customer Support to your Telegram Community

Once you have built an engaged audience, providing a direct communication channel for inquiries can significantly boost your community's satisfaction and loyalty. This is particularly important if you are managing a paid community. Utilizing tools such as Mava's Telegram Ticket Bot can streamline the management of customer support requests within Telegram itself, ensuring smooth interactions and improving overall user satisfaction.

Conclusion

Telegram Stars are Telegram’s new powerful in-app currency; they empower channel owners to foster a vibrant and monetizable community. By understanding how to buy, earn, and convert Stars, as well as leveraging them for subscriptions and premium content, you can enhance your monetization strategy on Telegram.

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