Suggested Posts on Telegram: How Readers Pay Channels to Publish

Suggested posts let a reader send a channel a ready-made post, optionally with a payment in Telegram Stars or the TON network's coin, through the channel's direct messages. The channel's admins can accept it, decline it, or propose changes to the text, price or time. If they publish it, Telegram holds the payment and releases it to the channel once the post has stayed up for the required period; if the post comes down early, the sender gets the money back.

This guide explains how the feature works on both sides, how to set prices and rules as an owner, and the mistakes that cost channels money or trust.

What suggested posts are

Telegram added suggested posts to channels as part of a set of monetisation tools. It builds on another feature: direct messages for channels, which give each channel a private inbox where readers can write to the channel itself, rather than to a particular admin.

Inside that inbox, a reader can switch from writing a normal message to writing a suggested post. A suggestion is a full post, with text and media, plus:

• an offer in Stars or the TON coin, or no offer at all;
• a time when it should be published, or "anytime", leaving the choice to the channel.

The channel then decides. The whole exchange, including any changes and the final decision, happens in that one thread.

Why Telegram built it

Channels have always sold sponsored posts, but the deal usually happened by private message, with payment sent first and trust doing the rest. Buyers paid for posts that never appeared or were deleted after an hour. Channel owners chased payments that never came.

Suggested posts move the deal into Telegram itself. The money is held by Telegram during the deal, the post goes out through the channel's normal publishing, and the payout depends on the post actually staying up. Neither side has to trust the other with money up front.

What it is not

• It is not Telegram Ads. Telegram Ads are short sponsored messages that Telegram places in public channels through its own ad platform. See Telegram Ads platform explained.
• It is not a guarantee of views or results. The buyer pays for publication and a minimum time online, not for any outcome.
• It is not only for advertising. Readers can suggest posts for free: a news tip, a photo, a community announcement.

Before you start

For readers

• The channel must have direct messages switched on. If you do not see a way to message the channel, it has not enabled them.
• Your app should be up to date. Older versions may not show the suggestion option.
• If you want to pay, you need Stars in your account or the TON coin in a wallet you can pay from. See how to pay with Stars or crypto on Telegram.

For channel owners

• Turn on direct messages for your channel in its settings. You can set a price per message in Stars, or leave messages free.
• Decide which admins handle the inbox. Admins need the right to manage direct messages to read and reply there, and posting rights to publish.
• Decide your rules for what you accept, and write them down before the first offer arrives.
• Decide whether you prefer Stars or the TON coin. The difference matters for refunds, explained below.
• If you have not set up two-step verification, do it now. Withdrawals ask for that password. See two-step verification.

How to suggest a post as a reader

Button names vary by app and version, so follow the meaning.

1. Open the channel and tap the option to message it. This opens the channel's direct messages.
2. In the message bar, tap the icon for suggesting a post.
3. Write the post as you want it to appear, and add photos or video if needed.
4. Set your offer: choose Stars or TON and enter an amount, or offer nothing.
5. Choose a time: a specific date and time, or anytime.
6. Send the suggestion.

The admins see it in their inbox. You will see their answer in the same thread: accepted, declined with an optional reason, or a modified version for you to consider.

What happens to your money

When you send a paid suggestion, the amount is reserved for the deal. It goes to the channel only if the post is published and stays up for the required period. If the channel declines, or deletes the post too early, the amount comes back to you.

Writing a suggestion that gets accepted

• Match the channel's style. A post that reads like the channel's own content is easier to accept.
• Keep claims honest. Admins decline posts that could get their channel reported.
• Mark sponsored content clearly if it is an ad. Many channels will add a label anyway.
• Be realistic on price. Look at the channel's measured audience first. On our directory, channel pages show average views per post and engagement rate read from public posts, which is a fairer basis than subscriber count alone. See Telegram channel engagement rate.
• Give a time window, not just one exact minute, unless the timing truly matters.

What a reader shares when suggesting

Writing to a channel is not anonymous. Admins who manage the inbox see your name, profile picture and username, according to your privacy settings, just as they would in any private chat. If you pay, the payment is tied to your account. Do not include personal details in a suggestion that you would not want the channel to keep. If you are sending a sensitive news tip, think about what your account reveals before you send it.

Free suggestions: tips, photos and community news

Many of the best uses of the feature involve no money at all. A local channel can collect news tips, a hobby channel can feature readers' photos, and a club channel can let members announce events.

A few habits keep this healthy:

• Verify tips before publishing. A suggestion is a claim from one person. Check it against another source, especially for news.
• Get consent for photos of people. A reader may send a picture that shows others who did not agree to be published.
• Credit contributors if they want it, and ask first if they do not.
• Keep the decision yours. Suggestions make it easy to publish what readers want, but the channel's voice and standards still belong to the admins.

Choosing the publishing time

Timing affects both the value of a paid post and how your readers experience the channel.

• "Anytime" suggestions let you place the post where it fits. Use that freedom to space paid posts out.
• Fixed times matter to some buyers, such as an event or a product launch. Check the proposed time against your own schedule before accepting.
• Time zones catch people out. Confirm which time zone a proposed date is in if the buyer is abroad.
• Avoid stacking paid posts. Two sponsored posts back to back push each other down and annoy readers.
• Remember the holding period when planning clean-ups or schedule changes. A paid post published late in the evening still needs its full period online.

Our content calendar guide helps fit paid posts into a regular plan.

How to review suggestions as a channel owner

Reading the inbox

Suggestions arrive in the channel's direct messages, grouped by sender. Each one shows the content, the offer and the proposed time. Admins with the right permission can review them from any device where they use Telegram.

The three answers

1. Accept. The post is approved for publication at the proposed time, or at a time you choose if the sender said anytime. It goes out in your channel like any of your own posts.
2. Decline. You can add a short reason. The sender's reserved payment is released back to them.
3. Suggest changes. You reply with a modified version: different text, a different price or a different time. The sender can accept your version, send another change, or decline. This can go back and forth until one side accepts or declines.

Checking a suggestion before you accept

Run every paid suggestion through the same checks.

• Is it legal where you and your readers are? Some products cannot be advertised at all in some countries.
• Is it honest? Promises of guaranteed returns, miracle cures or "free" crypto are red flags. Our guide to crypto scams on Telegram lists patterns to watch for.
• Do the links go where they say? Open them yourself before publishing.
• Would your readers be glad they saw it? If not, the money costs you more in lost trust than it pays.
• Is it clearly labelled? Add a sponsored label if the post is paid. See sponsored post disclosure.

Editing the text

If you want to change a suggestion, propose the edit through the suggest-changes route rather than publishing something different from what the buyer agreed. That keeps a clear record of what both sides accepted.

When and how the channel gets paid

The holding period

Telegram releases the payment only after the published post has stayed in the channel for a set period. Telegram's developer documentation currently describes this as 24 hours from when the post actually goes live, not from when it was scheduled. Telegram can change this, so check the details shown in the app when you accept.

When the period has passed, a service message in the thread confirms the deal succeeded and the payment moves to the channel's balance.

If the post is deleted early

If the post is removed before the holding period ends, Telegram returns the full amount to the sender, and a service message records the refund. That includes deletion by mistake. So once a paid post is live, leave it alone until the period has passed, and avoid bulk clean-ups that might catch it.

Stars or TON

Telegram itself points out a difference between the two currencies.

• Stars are bought through app stores and other payment providers. Buyers can sometimes get refunds from those providers, and Telegram may then reclaim Stars that were paid on. Our guide to Stars refunds explains this.
• TON payments cannot be reversed by the buyer once made. Telegram describes accepting suggested posts in TON as the safer option for channels for that reason.

Neither choice is investment advice. The TON coin, now also known as Gram, changes in value, so a payment in it can be worth more or less by the time you use it.

Telegram's share

Telegram keeps a commission on suggested post payments, and the channel receives the rest. The share is set by Telegram and may change, so check the figure shown in the app or Telegram's terms for Stars.

Withdrawing

Stars earned by a channel can be withdrawn as the TON coin through Fragment, after Telegram's waiting period, or spent on Telegram Ads for the same channel. TON earnings are withdrawn through Fragment too. See how to withdraw Telegram Stars and Fragment explained.

Running the inbox as a team

A channel's direct messages are shared between admins, so a few arrangements stop suggestions from falling through the cracks.

How the inbox is organised

Telegram treats a channel's direct messages as a separate inbox linked to the channel, with a thread for each reader who writes. Suggestions, ordinary messages and the service notices about each deal all appear in that reader's thread. Admins with the right to manage direct messages see every thread; other admins do not.

Practical arrangements

1. Give inbox rights only to admins who will answer. Fewer people with a clear role beat many people who each assume someone else will reply.
2. Agree response times. Suggestions with a specific date can expire if nobody answers in time.
3. Keep a few standard decline reasons in a shared note, such as "outside our topic", "we do not publish financial offers" or "please add a sponsor label". Short, polite reasons save time and reduce arguments.
4. Record accepted deals in a simple shared list: date, sender, amount, currency and publication time. It helps with disputes, accounting and tax.
5. Protect the publishing schedule. Paid posts need space between them and your own content, or the channel starts to feel like an ad board.

For permissions and handovers, see run a Telegram channel as a team.

Paid messages and exemptions

If you charge a price per direct message, every reader pays to write, including people sending free suggestions. Telegram lets channels exempt specific people from the message fee. Exempt regular contributors, partners and trusted sources so they are not charged for helping you.

Using a bot

Telegram's Bot API has added support for channel direct messages and suggested posts, so a bot that manages a channel can receive suggestions and approve or decline them. This suits large channels with clear rules, for example auto-declining suggestions outside a price range and passing the rest to a person. Keep a human check on anything that gets published. See useful bots for channel admins for what bots typically do.

After a paid post: measuring the result

Both sides benefit from knowing how a post performed.

Measuring as the channel owner

• Note the post's views after a day and after a week, and compare with your average.
• Note comments and reactions if your channel has them.
• Share honest numbers with the buyer if they ask. Screenshots from your channel statistics are better than claims.

Measuring as the buyer

• Use a link you can track, such as a dedicated landing page or a promo code unique to that channel, so you know what the post brought in.
• Compare cost with results across several channels before buying again.
• Remember that views are not sales. A post can be widely seen and still not suit your product.

Our guide on how to buy ads in Telegram channels covers choosing channels and judging results in more depth.

Setting your prices and policy

Pricing without guessing

There is no official rate card. A sensible approach is to price from what your channel actually delivers.

1. Look at your average views per post over recent weeks, from your channel statistics.
2. Decide what a view is worth to you, compared with what you have charged for sponsored posts before.
3. Multiply, and round to a clean number.
4. Adjust by placement: a post that stays near the top for hours, or appears at a busy time, is worth more.

Illustrative example only: if your posts usually get a certain number of views and you have previously sold sponsored posts at a level you were happy with, divide one by the other to get your price per view, then apply it to suggestions. The point is to anchor on measured views, not on subscriber totals. Our guide to Telegram ad post pricing goes deeper.

Accepting free suggestions

You do not have to charge. Many channels use suggestions for reader tips, event notices or photos, which are free and improve the channel. Decide which kinds you accept for free and which need a payment.

Writing a short public policy

Pin or link a short note telling readers:

• that suggestions are welcome through direct messages;
• what you accept and what you never publish;
• whether paid posts are labelled;
• how quickly you usually answer.

A clear policy saves admins from repeating the same answers and filters out unsuitable offers before they arrive.

How suggested posts compare with other ways to earn

• Selling sponsored posts privately gives full freedom on terms but no protection for either side. Suggested posts trade some flexibility for safety.
• Telegram's ad revenue sharing pays eligible public channels a share of Telegram Ads revenue without any deals. It depends on Telegram's rules; see ad revenue requirements.
• Paid reactions let readers tip posts with Stars; see paid reactions.
• Paid media posts charge readers to unlock photos or videos; see paid media posts.
• Paid direct messages charge readers a fee to write to the channel at all.

Most channels that earn well combine several of these. For the bigger picture, read how to make money on Telegram.

Worked scenarios

These are illustrative examples, not real deals.

A local events channel

A city events channel enables direct messages and allows free suggestions. Readers send in community events, and admins publish the good ones. A concert venue sends a paid suggestion for a ticket announcement. The admins change the time to a weekday morning, the venue accepts, and the post runs. The next day, the payment is released.

A tech news channel declining an offer

A tech channel receives a well-paid suggestion promoting a crypto token with "guaranteed" returns. The admins decline it with a short reason. Publishing it would risk reports, readers' money and the channel's reputation. The reserved payment goes back to the sender automatically.

A reader with a product

A small software developer wants to reach a productivity channel's audience. She checks the channel's measured average views, sends a clearly labelled suggestion with a modest offer in TON and a three-day window, and accepts the admins' request to shorten the text. The post goes live, stays up, and the deal completes.

A deleted post

An admin cleans up old posts in bulk and accidentally deletes a paid suggestion a few hours after it went live. The payment is refunded to the buyer. The admin apologises, and the buyer sends a new suggestion, which is accepted. The lesson: protect live paid posts until the holding period ends.

Troubleshooting

I cannot see the option to suggest a post

The channel may not have direct messages enabled, or your app is out of date. Update Telegram. If the channel has no message option at all, it does not accept suggestions.

My suggestion has no answer

Admins may be busy, or the channel rarely checks its inbox. Your reserved payment is not released to them without publication. If the time you proposed has passed, the suggestion may no longer be valid. Send a new one or contact the channel another way.

The post was published but the channel was not paid

Check whether the holding period has passed since the post actually went live. Check that the post is still there. If it was deleted early, the payment was refunded to the buyer. For Stars, a later refund by the buyer's payment provider can reverse the payout.

The buyer says they were charged but declined

Declined suggestions release the reserved amount back to the sender. If it does not appear, ask the buyer to check their Stars balance or wallet history, and contact Telegram support from the app if it is still missing.

I offered the wrong amount or time

Before the channel accepts, you can reply in the thread with a corrected version, the same way admins propose changes, or ask the admins to decline the original so the reserved amount returns to you. Once a suggestion is accepted and published, the agreed terms apply.

Someone outside Telegram offers a "better" deal

They may ask you to publish first and be paid later, or to pay a fee to receive a large payment. Both are classic scams. Keep paid deals inside the suggested post flow where possible. See how to spot Telegram scams.

Platform notes

The feature works across Telegram's apps, but newer options usually reach the mobile apps first.

• Android and iPhone: the suggestion icon appears in the message bar of a channel's direct messages. Admins find the inbox from the channel, where each reader has a thread.
• Telegram Desktop: admins can read and answer the inbox, which is convenient for reviewing longer posts and checking links on a big screen.
• Web versions: may lag behind. If an option is missing, try a mobile app.

Whichever device you use, keep the app updated. Suggestion screens and payment options change as Telegram develops the feature.

Rules and responsibilities

Advertising law

Paid posts are advertising in most countries, and many require ads to be clearly labelled. Rules differ by country and by product. Add a clear label to every paid suggestion you publish. This is general information, not legal advice.

Telegram's rules

Your channel remains responsible for what it publishes, whoever suggested it. A paid post that breaks Telegram's terms can lead to the channel being restricted. See Telegram channel banned for what that looks like.

Taxes

Income from suggested posts may be taxable where you live, including when paid in Stars or TON. See Telegram income taxes for creators for the questions to ask a professional.

Common mistakes

• Accepting without opening the links. You are responsible for where your readers end up.
• Forgetting to label paid posts. Readers notice, and many countries require it.
• Deleting a paid post before the holding period ends, and losing the payment.
• Pricing from subscriber count instead of measured views.
• Publishing a different text than agreed instead of using the suggest-changes route.
• Leaving the inbox unattended, so good offers expire.
• Taking deals outside the flow where nobody holds the money.
• Treating TON earnings as stable. Their value moves.

FAQ

Who can send a suggested post?

Anyone who can message the channel through its direct messages, when the channel has them switched on. Suggestions can be free or include an offer in Stars or TON.

When does the channel receive the payment?

After the post has been published and stayed up for the holding period. Telegram's developer documentation currently describes 24 hours from publication. If the post is removed earlier, the sender is refunded.

Can the channel change my post?

Admins can propose changes to the text, price or time. You can accept, propose another change, or decline. They should not publish a different version without your agreement.

Is Stars or TON better for channels?

Telegram notes that TON payments cannot be reversed by the buyer, while Stars may be clawed back if a buyer gets a refund from their payment provider. TON's value changes, though. Choose based on your own situation; this is not financial advice.

Does a paid suggestion improve a channel's ranking?

Not on our directory. Our rankings use real subscriber counts and reader ratings; payments of any kind do not change them.

Do I have to accept paid suggestions?

No. You can decline any suggestion, paid or free, and add a reason.

Summary

Suggested posts turn the old private sponsored-post deal into a protected flow inside Telegram. Readers send a post through a channel's direct messages with an optional offer in Stars or TON and a proposed time. Admins accept, decline or negotiate changes. Telegram holds the payment and releases it only after the post has stayed up for the required period. For channel owners, the keys are clear rules, honest labelling, pricing from measured views, and leaving paid posts untouched until the deal completes.