Monetizing a Telegram channel in 2026 is no longer a “waiting game” for big brands. With the platform reaching over 1 billion active users, the ecosystem has shifted from a simple messenger to a robust economy powered by the TON Blockchain.
Whether you have a small niche community or a massive news hub, here is the comprehensive blueprint for turning Telegram views into revenue.
1. The Official Revenue Share Program (Ad Platform)
In 2024, Telegram revolutionized its model by sharing 50% of ad revenue with channel owners. This is the most “hands-off” way to earn.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Public Channel: Only public channels are eligible; private groups do not show official ads.
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1,000 Subscribers: This is the hard floor. Once you hit this, the “Monetization” tab appears in your settings.
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Active Engagement: Telegram’s algorithm favors channels with high “reach-to-subscriber” ratios.
How it Works:
Telegram displays small, non-intrusive sponsored messages at the bottom of your channel. Unlike YouTube, these ads aren’t based on user data but on the topic of your channel.
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Payouts: You are paid in Toncoin (TON).
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Withdrawals: You can withdraw via the Fragment platform with zero fees or reinvest the earnings into your own channel’s growth.
2. Telegram Stars & Digital Goods
Introduced as a universal payment system, Telegram Stars allow you to sell digital products and services directly within the app without needing an external website.
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Paid Content: You can “paywall” specific posts. For example, a photographer can post a blurred preview of a gallery that only unlocks once a user pays a certain number of Stars.
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Star Reactions: Followers can send you “tips” through paid emoji reactions.
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Conversion: Stars can be converted into Toncoin, which can then be traded for fiat currency (USD, EUR, etc.).
3. The “VIP” Subscription Model
Many creators earn more from 500 loyal fans than 50,000 random subscribers. This involves creating a private premium channel.
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The Strategy: Use your public channel to share 80% of your value for free. Offer the “inner circle” content (trading signals, exclusive tutorials, adult content, or deep-dive research) in a private group.
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Automation: Use bots like InviteMember or Memberful to handle the monthly billing and automatically kick members who stop paying.
4. Third-Party Ad Marketplaces
If you don’t want to wait for Telegram’s official revenue split, you can join marketplaces where advertisers “shop” for channels.
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Top Platforms: Telega.io and AdsGram are the industry leaders.
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Control: You set your own price (e.g., $50 for a 24-hour pinned post).
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Niche Value: If you have a channel about “Python Coding for Beginners,” a bootcamp will pay you far more than the general Telegram ad rate because your audience is highly targeted.
5. Affiliate Marketing
This is arguably the highest-earning potential for “micro-influencers” (1,000–5,000 subs).
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Amazon Associates: Share “Deals of the Day” related to your niche.
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SaaS/Software: Tech channels often share affiliate links for VPNs or hosting services.
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Crypto/Finance: Recommending a specific exchange or hardware wallet can net commissions ranging from $10 to $100 per sign-up.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
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Select a Niche: Finance, Tech, and Gambling have the highest CPMs (Cost per 1,000 views).
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Clean Up Your Stats: Remove “bot” subscribers. High subscriber counts with low views (under 10%) will get you rejected from ad marketplaces.
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Enable Statistics: Go to
Channel Settings > Statistics. If you have 1,000 subs, look for the Monetization button. -
Connect a Wallet: Set up a TON Space or @Wallet within Telegram to receive your payments.
Summary Table: Effort vs. Reward
