Bots aresmall applications that run entirely within the Telegram app. Users interact with bots throughflexible interfaces that can supportany kind of task or service. For more information, see:

• Detailed Guide to Bot Features
• Full API Reference for Developers
• Basic Tutorial: From @BotFather to 'Hello World'

TheTelegram Bot Platform hosts more than10 million bots and isfree for both users and developers.

What Can You Do with Bots?

• Replace Entire Websites
• Manage Your Business
• Receive Payments
• Create Custom Tools
• Integrate with Services and Devices
• Host Games
• Build Social Networks
• Monetize Your Service
• Promote Your Project
• Anything Else!

Replace Entire Websites

Telegram bots can hostMini Apps built withJavaScript. This allows forinfinitely flexible interfaces that can power everything from online stores to arcade games. Unlike websites, bots supportseamless authorization and notifications through Telegram out of the box.

Try@DurgerKingBot – or check out thededicated guide to Web Apps to build your own.

Manage Your Business

Telegram Business users can connect Telegram bots to process and answer messageson their behalf, via their personal account. This allows businesses toseamlessly integrate any existing tools and workflows, or add new AI assistants toincrease productivity.

As we continue to expand the set offree toolsavailable to bots through this integration, we encourage all developers toinnovate anddevelop useful applications and services forbusinesses on Telegram.

Developers can turn onBusiness Mode in@BotFather if their bot supportsintegration with Telegram Business accounts.

Receive Payments

Bots can sell all kinds of goods and services on Telegram – to anyone in the world.Telegram Stars allow users to securely and effortlessly buydigital products via in-app purchases. In addition,physical products can be easily purchased throughthird-party providers that support integration with Mini Apps.

Try@ShopBot – or check out our dedicated guides fordigital andphysical products to build your own.

Create Custom Tools

Increase your productivity by creating bots forspecific tasks – like converting files, managing chats or fetching today’s forecast. Users can chat directly with bots, or add them to groups and channels to introduce extra features.

Mini apps can generate media and files – that users can effortlessly share toother chats or a postas a story.

Integrate with Services and Devices

Mini apps canseamlessly integrate with third-party services, APIs and devices to instantly process and update information – like changing a user'semoji status when they start a game or get in a taxi.

By default, Mini Apps seamlessly integrate with Android and iOS, allowing users to adddirect shortcuts to their device’s home screen.

Likewise, many popular platforms already have official Telegram bots, which allow users to comfortably access content in one app – or perform quick searches usinginline mode.

Try@GMailBot,@GitHubBot,@Bing,@YouTube,@wiki and more.

Host Games

Developers can create both lightweightHTML5 Games and immersivefull-screen modern games with support fordetailed motion controls, location-basedpoints of interest and dynamichardware optimizations.

Try some of the games in the@Gamee library – or check out theHTML5 andMini App manuals to build your own.

Build Social Networks

Bots can serve as an intermediary to connect users based on shared interests, location, and more. Coordinate meetups, show local services, or help people sell second-hand items.

Users can placedirect shortcuts to specific mini apps on thehome screen of their devices – accessing services inone tap.

Monetize Your Service

Telegram offers arobust ecosystem of monetization features, allowing any bot to support its development withmultiple revenue streams. Popular bots can passively earn income throughRevenue Sharing from Telegram Ads, implementsubscription plans for users – or offerpaid content anddigital products forTelegram Stars.

Telegram Stars in your bot's balance can be used toincrease message limits,send gifts to users oraccept rewards in Toncoin.

Promote Your Project

Bots can hostaffiliate marketing programs – giving developers atransparent way to quickly scale with organic growth fromuser referrals.

Affiliate Programs support customrevenue sharing rates and variablecommission periods, allowing you to customize your offers and update your campaign over time.

To learn more and get started in just a few taps, check out ourdedicated guide.

Anything Else

The possibilities for bots are endless – from simple scripts to complex mini apps. Whether you’re a beginner or professional programmer, you can create personalized tools with the help of theBot Platform.

All Mini Apps you build on Telegram can behighly customized to fit your brand identity, including by uploading high-qualitymedia demos and setting a customLoading Screen with your own logo and color palette

How Do Bots Work?

For a detailed explanation of Bot Features, seethis guide

Telegram bots are special accounts that do not need a phone number to set up. Bots are connected to their owner’s server, which processes inputs and requests from users.

Telegram’s intermediary server handles all encryption and communication with the Telegram API. Developers communicate with this server via an easy HTTPS-interface with a simplified version of theTelegram API – known as theBot API.

How Are Bots Different from Users?

Bots are able to process inputs and requests in ways that user accounts can’t, but there are several differences between a bot and a normal user.

• Bots don’t have ‘last seen’ or online statuses – instead they show a ‘bot’ label in the chat.
• Bots have limited cloud storage – older messages may be removed by the server shortly after they have been processed.
• Bots can't start conversations with users. A user must either add them to a group or send them a message first. People can search for your bot’s username or start a chat via its unique t.me/bot_username link.
• By default, bots added to groupsonly see relevant messages in the chat (seePrivacy Mode).
• Bots never eat, sleep or complain (unless expressly programmed otherwise).

Bot Links

Bot usernames normally require a ‘bot’ suffix, but some bots don’t have them – such as@stickers,@gif,@wiki or@bing.

Anyone canassign collectible usernames to bots, including those without the 'bot' suffix.

How Do I Create a Bot?

Creating Telegram bots is super-easy, but you will need at least some skills incomputer programming.

Creating a bot is streamlined by Telegram’s Bot API, which gives the tools and framework required to integrate your code. To get started, message@BotFather on Telegram to register your bot and receive its authentication token.

Yourbot token is its unique identifier – store it in asecure place, and only share it with people who need direct access to the bot. Everyone who has your token will havefull control over your bot.

What Next?

We recommend that you check out our guide toBot Features to see what you can teach your bot to do:

• Detailed Guide to Bot Features
• Full API Reference for Developers
• Basic Tutorial: From @BotFather to 'Hello World'
• Code Examples