Telegram is one of the fastest-growing platforms in the digital space in 2025. Its user base continues to expand, channels influence buying decisions, and ad costs are often lower than on Facebook or Google. Still, for many advertisers, Telegram remains a “dark horse” — unfamiliar and underutilized.
In this article, I’ll break down how Telegram advertising really works, what advantages it offers, what risks to watch out for, and whether it’s a smart investment for small and medium-sized businesses in 2025.
How Telegram Ads Work in 2025
Telegram offers two primary advertising formats:
✅ Official Telegram Ads
Telegram’s native advertising platform offers:
— Format: Short text block with a call-to-action button
— Targeting: By language, channel topic, and region
— Payment model: CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions)
— Ads are automatically shown across public channels with 1,000+ subscribers
— Minimum ad spend starts at around $2,000
📌 Best suited for large brands, awareness campaigns, or product launches.
✅ Direct Ad Buys from Channel Owners
The most popular approach for small businesses:
— You negotiate directly with channel admins
— You can use visual content: images, videos, GIFs
— You can create native-looking promotional posts that blend with the feed
— Full control over placement time, style, and tone
📌 This method is flexible, affordable, and highly effective for niche and local campaigns.
How Much Does a Lead Cost on Telegram in 2025?
Lead cost depends on many variables: industry, ad format, content quality, landing page, use of bots, and whether a conversion funnel is in place.
Here are typical averages:
| Format | Average Cost per Lead (CPL) |
| Official Telegram Ads | $2–5 |
| Direct Channel Placement | $0.50–2.50 |
🔥 Top-performing campaigns can achieve CPLs below $1, especially when using chatbots, native posts, and a well-built funnel.
How to Measure Ad Performance Without a Pixel
Telegram doesn’t support tracking pixels or offer built-in analytics like Meta or Google. But that doesn’t mean performance can’t be measured.
Here’s how to track results:
✅ UTM tags for tracking traffic in Google Analytics
✅ Telegram chatbot to collect, qualify, and segment leads
✅ Unique URLs or promo codes per channel or campaign
✅ Manual tracking of channel joins, bot activity, or inquiry volume
✅ CRM integration with your bot or forms
🔥 With a properly configured chatbot and links, you can track ROI — even without a pixel.
Telegram Ads in 2025: Pros and Cons
Pros:
✅ Lower cost per click and impression
✅ High user attention, especially in niche channels
✅ Authentic storytelling and personal branding works well
✅ Telegram bots = powerful automation potential
Cons:
❌ No built-in analytics — requires manual setup
❌ Direct deals carry risks (e.g. fake channels, inflated views)
❌ Many users aren’t “ready to buy” — requires nurturing
❌ Not ideal for every niche — B2B and high-ticket services may struggle
Conclusion: Should You Invest in Telegram Ads in 2025?
🔹 Yes — if you’re ready for a different approach to advertising.
Telegram doesn’t offer deep targeting or instant metrics. Instead, it requires strong messaging, well-crafted funnels, and conversational strategies.
🔹 Telegram is a great match for small businesses, niche products, local services, and brands with strong storytelling or emotional appeal.
🔹 You should consider it — but with the right setup: analytics, chatbot integration, tested content funnel, and verified ad placements.
🚀 Thinking about trying Telegram Ads for lead generation?
📩 Message me — I’ll help you build a smart strategy, avoid common mistakes, and get the most out of your budget.
