Telegram Ads is a native advertising platform by Telegram that displays sponsored messages in public channels with 1,000+ subscribers. With 950M+ monthly active users across 200+ countries, advertisers pay per 1,000 impressions (CPM) starting from $0.50 on TON cabinets. Based on ADSLY Research analysis of 159,000+ campaigns, the average CTR is 0.52% with CPMs ranging from $0.50 to $6 by niche.
Whether you’re a crypto project looking for native audience, an eCommerce brand exploring new channels, or a media buyer testing beyond Facebook and Google — this guide covers everything you need to know about Telegram Ads in 2026, from how the platform works to the exact costs and benchmarks you can expect.
Table of Contents
- 1. How Telegram Ads Work
- 2. Three Types of Telegram Ads Cabinets
- 3. How Much Do Telegram Ads Cost?
- 4. Targeting Options
- 5. Who Uses Telegram Ads?
- 6. Getting Started in 5 Steps
- 7. Telegram Ads vs Other Platforms
- 8. Tools for Managing Telegram Ads
- 9. Telegram Ads Benchmarks 2026
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Telegram Ads Work
Telegram Ads are sponsored messages that appear at the bottom of public channels. When a user scrolls through a channel with 1,000+ subscribers, they see a short text-based ad with an optional media attachment. The advertiser pays only for impressions (CPM model — cost per 1,000 views).
Unlike traditional social media ads that interrupt a feed, Telegram Ads are integrated into the channel experience. They appear as a single sponsored post at the end of the latest messages, making them less intrusive but still visible to engaged readers.
Key Mechanics
- Placement: Ads appear in public channels with 1,000+ subscribers
- Payment model: CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) — you pay for views, not clicks
- Ad formats: Text-only, text + image, text + video (new in 2026)
- Targeting: By channels, topics, geography, and language (varies by cabinet type)
- Destinations: Ads can link to channels, bots, websites, or Mini Apps
- Moderation: All ads are reviewed before publishing — AI review (1–4 hours) or manual review (12–48 hours)
- Character limit: Up to 160 characters of ad text recommended for optimal CTR
2. Three Types of Telegram Ads Cabinets
Telegram offers three distinct advertising account types, each with different payment methods, moderation processes, and targeting capabilities. Choosing the right cabinet is one of the most important decisions for your campaign success.
| Feature | TON Cabinet | Euro Cabinet | Stars Cabinet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | TON (crypto) | EUR | Stars (Telegram) |
| Min CPM | ~$0.50 | €1.50 | ~€0.92 |
| Moderation | AI (fast) | Manual (slow) | AI (fastest) |
| Approval Rate | 73.6% | 64.8% | 99.99% |
| Geo Targeting | No | Yes | No |
| Topic Targeting | No | Yes | No |
| Min Deposit | None | €500+ | None |
| Best For | Crypto, global reach | Geo-targeted campaigns | Beginners, high-risk niches |
TON Cabinets
TON cabinets use Telegram’s native cryptocurrency (Toncoin) for payments. They offer the lowest CPM floors (~$0.50), no minimum deposit, and AI-powered moderation that typically reviews ads within 1–4 hours. The main limitation is no geo or topic targeting — you target by selecting specific channels. TON cabinets are the most popular choice for crypto, DeFi, and Web3 advertisers.
Euro Cabinets
Euro cabinets accept EUR payments and offer the most advanced targeting: geographic targeting (50+ countries), topic targeting (42 predefined categories), and language targeting (34+ languages). The tradeoff is manual moderation (12–48 hours) with the lowest approval rate (64.8%) and a minimum deposit of €500+. Best for advertisers who need precise geographic control.
Stars Cabinets
Stars cabinets use Telegram’s internal Stars currency. They have the highest approval rate (99.99%), the most lenient AI moderation, and no minimum deposit. Stars cabinets are ideal for beginners testing the platform and for niches that face stricter moderation on TON/Euro (betting, dating, supplements). Many experienced advertisers use Stars for creative testing before scaling on TON or Euro.
3. How Much Do Telegram Ads Cost?
Telegram Ads use a CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) pricing model. The cost varies significantly by niche, cabinet type, and competition for your target channels. Here’s what to expect in 2026:
| Niche | Average CPM | Average CTR |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto / DeFi | $2–$5 | 1.2–1.8% |
| Betting / iGaming | $3–$6 | 0.8–1.2% |
| Fintech / Forex | $2–$4 | 0.6–1.0% |
| eCommerce | $1.5–$3 | 0.4–0.7% |
| Education | $1–$2.5 | 0.5–0.8% |
| News / Media | $0.5–$1.5 | 0.3–0.5% |
Minimum Budgets
- TON cabinets: No minimum deposit. You can start with as little as $5 worth of TON.
- Euro cabinets: Minimum initial deposit of €500+.
- Stars cabinets: No minimum deposit. Start with any amount of Stars.
4. Targeting Options
Telegram Ads offers several targeting methods. The available options depend on your cabinet type. Here’s a breakdown of every targeting method available in 2026:
Channel Targeting (All cabinets)
Select specific public channels where your ads appear. This is the most precise targeting method — choose channels your audience already follows. For example, if you’re promoting a DeFi protocol, target the top 50 crypto analysis channels. Channel targeting is available across all three cabinet types and is the single biggest lever for campaign performance.
Topic Targeting (Euro cabinets only)
Euro cabinets offer 42 predefined topics that let you reach channels by category without selecting them individually. Topics include: Cryptocurrencies, Business & Entrepreneurship, Technology & Internet, Education, Health & Medicine, Fashion & Beauty, Travel & Tourism, Video Games, Fitness, News & Media, and 32 more. Topic targeting is ideal when you want broad reach across a category rather than precise channel selection.
Geographic Targeting (Euro cabinets only)
Target users by country and region. Available in 50+ countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and more. Geographic targeting uses the user’s phone number country code and IP-based location, making it reasonably accurate for country-level targeting.
Language Targeting (Euro cabinets only)
Target users by their Telegram interface language. 34+ languages supported, including English, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, and more. Useful for reaching specific language communities regardless of their geographic location.
Bot and Mini App Targeting
Promote directly to Telegram bot users or Mini App audiences. This newer targeting method lets you reach users who have interacted with specific bots or apps within Telegram, offering behavioral targeting that was previously unavailable on the platform.
5. Who Uses Telegram Ads?
Telegram Ads attract a specific mix of advertisers, largely driven by the platform’s unique strengths: crypto-friendly policies, niche community access, and lower CPMs than Facebook/Google. Here’s the breakdown based on ADSLY platform data:
| Advertiser Category | Share of Advertisers | Why Telegram? |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto / DeFi / Web3 | ~30% | Native crypto audience, no ad restrictions |
| Arbitrage / Performance | ~20% | Low CPMs, high-intent audiences |
| Education / InfoBusiness | ~15% | Engaged readers, course promotion |
| eCommerce / Retail | ~10% | Niche communities, direct response |
| Finance / Forex / Betting | ~10% | Relaxed moderation vs Google/FB |
| SaaS / Apps | ~8% | Tech-savvy audience, bot promotion |
| News / Media | ~7% | Channel growth, subscriber acquisition |
Top Markets by Telegram Users
Telegram’s global reach spans 200+ countries, but usage is concentrated in specific markets:
- India: 104M+ users — fastest-growing market
- Russia: 34.4M+ users — most mature ad market
- Indonesia: 27.2M+ users — emerging market with low CPMs
- Brazil: 20M+ users — growing Latin American hub
- USA: 15M+ users — highest-value market, growing fast
- Ethiopia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Ukraine: 10M+ users each
6. Getting Started with Telegram Ads in 5 Steps
Launching your first Telegram Ads campaign takes less than 10 minutes. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Choose your cabinet type. TON for crypto and global audiences, Euro for geo-targeted campaigns, Stars for beginners and creative testing. If unsure, start with Stars — highest approval rate, no minimum deposit.
- Create an account. Go to ads.telegram.org and create your advertising cabinet. Or connect your existing cabinet to ADSLY for bulk management and AI automation features.
- Select target channels or topics. For TON/Stars: research and select 10–20 public channels your audience follows. For Euro: choose topics, geographies, or specific channels. Quality channel selection is the #1 factor for campaign success.
- Write your ad text. Keep it under 160 characters. Lead with a benefit or hook, not your brand name. Include a clear CTA. Test 3–5 variations to find what resonates. Example: “Track 100+ Telegram Ads campaigns from one dashboard. Free 3-day trial →”
- Set CPM bid and budget, submit for moderation. Start with the minimum CPM for your cabinet type. Set a daily budget of $10–$50 for testing. Submit your ad — AI moderation takes 1–4 hours, manual moderation 12–48 hours.
7. Telegram Ads vs Other Platforms
How does Telegram Ads stack up against the major advertising platforms? Here’s an honest comparison:
| Feature | Telegram Ads | Google Ads | Facebook Ads | TikTok Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Budget | $5 | $10/day | $1/day | $20/day |
| CPM Range | $0.50–$6 | $2–$50 CPC | $5–$15 | $3–$10 |
| Crypto Friendly | Yes | Restricted | Very restricted | Restricted |
| Audience Size | 950M MAU | 4.3B | 3B | 1.5B |
| Targeting Depth | Channel-based | Keyword + demo | Interest + demo | Interest + demo |
| Ad Format | Text, image, video | Text, display, video | Image, video, carousel | Video-first |
| Best For | Niche communities | Search intent | Broad targeting | Gen Z, viral |
When to Choose Telegram Ads
- Crypto / DeFi / Web3: Telegram is the only major platform that welcomes crypto advertising without heavy restrictions.
- Niche audiences: If your target audience gathers in specific Telegram channels, no other platform offers this level of contextual targeting.
- Low budgets: With $5 minimum and CPMs from $0.50, Telegram is the most accessible platform for small advertisers.
- High-risk niches: Betting, dating, supplements, and forex face fewer restrictions than on Google or Facebook.
When NOT to Choose Telegram Ads
- Mass consumer brands: If you need to reach millions of people with broad demographics, Facebook and Google are more efficient.
- Search intent: If your product solves a problem people actively search for, Google Ads will deliver higher-intent traffic.
- Visual-first products: Fashion, food, and lifestyle brands perform better on Instagram and TikTok where visual formats dominate.
8. Tools for Managing Telegram Ads
The native Telegram Ads manager at ads.telegram.org provides basic campaign creation and reporting. However, for advertisers managing multiple campaigns or accounts, dedicated management platforms offer significant advantages:
- Bulk campaign management — Create, edit, and manage 100+ campaigns from a single dashboard
- IF/THEN automation rules — Automatically pause underperforming campaigns, increase budgets on winners, and rotate creatives based on CTR thresholds
- AI-powered campaign creation — Generate ad texts, select channels, and optimize CPM bids with AI assistance
- Hourly analytics and reporting — Track performance at hourly granularity to identify peak engagement windows
- Team collaboration — Role-based access for agencies managing multiple client accounts
- A/B testing — Structured creative testing with statistical significance tracking
ADSLY is the only platform supporting all three cabinet types (TON, Euro, Stars) with an English interface, AI automation features, and managed service options. Connect your existing Telegram Ads cabinet in 2 minutes and start managing campaigns with a free 3-day Pro trial.
9. Telegram Ads Benchmarks 2026
Based on ADSLY Research data from 159,000+ campaigns across 300+ advertisers, here are the key performance benchmarks for Telegram Ads in 2026:
| Metric | TON | Euro | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average CPM | $2.18 | €2.34 | 142 Stars |
| Average CTR | 0.48% | 0.51% | 0.56% |
| Avg CPA (subscriber) | $2–$8 | €3–$10 | $2–$12 |
| Approval Rate | 73.6% | 64.8% | 99.99% |
| Avg Moderation Time | 1–4 hours | 12–48 hours | 30 min–2 hours |
Best Performing Hours
Based on aggregate data, the highest-performing time slots for Telegram Ads across all niches are:
- Morning peak: 9:00–11:00 AM UTC — morning commute, high engagement
- Afternoon peak: 2:00–4:00 PM UTC — post-lunch browsing
- Evening peak: 7:00–9:00 PM UTC — highest overall CTR, prime time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Telegram Ads?
Telegram Ads is Telegram’s native advertising platform that displays sponsored messages in public channels with 1,000+ subscribers. Advertisers pay per 1,000 impressions (CPM model) starting from $0.50.
How much do Telegram Ads cost?
CPM ranges from $0.50 to $6 depending on niche and cabinet type. The average CPM across all niches is $2.18. Minimum budgets start at $5 on TON cabinets.
What is the average CTR for Telegram Ads?
The platform-wide average CTR is 0.52%, with crypto niches achieving the highest at 1.2–1.8% and news/media at 0.3–0.5%.
Can I advertise crypto on Telegram?
Yes. Unlike Google and Facebook, Telegram allows crypto advertising. TON cabinets are particularly suited for crypto with native crypto audience and AI moderation (65–80% approval rate).
What’s the difference between TON, Euro, and Stars cabinets?
TON uses cryptocurrency payment with AI moderation. Euro uses EUR with manual moderation and geo targeting. Stars uses Telegram’s internal currency with the highest approval rate (99.99%). See the cabinet comparison above for the full breakdown.
How long does Telegram Ads moderation take?
AI-moderated cabinets (TON, Stars) typically review within 1–4 hours. Euro cabinets with manual moderation can take 12–48 hours, especially outside Moscow business hours.
What is the minimum budget for Telegram Ads?
TON cabinets have no minimum. Euro cabinets require a €500+ initial deposit. Stars cabinets have no minimum. For meaningful testing, ADSLY recommends $500–$1,000.
Can I target specific countries with Telegram Ads?
Geographic targeting is only available on Euro cabinets. TON and Stars cabinets use channel-based targeting to reach audiences in specific regions indirectly — select channels popular in your target country.
What ad formats does Telegram support?
Text-only ads (up to 160 characters recommended), text with image, and text with video (new in 2026). All ads include a CTA button linking to a channel, bot, website, or Mini App.
How do I get started with Telegram Ads?
Create a cabinet at ads.telegram.org, fund your account, create a campaign with targeting and ad text, and submit for moderation. Or use ADSLY for AI-assisted campaign creation with a free 3-day Pro trial.