Most Telegram news channels just blast out articles and expect you to read them. But what if you could tap a button to get the full story, vote on the headline, or pick your next topic? That’s where inline keyboards come in. They turn passive readers into active participants - and they’re easier to set up than you think.
What Are Inline Keyboards on Telegram?
An inline keyboard is a row of clickable buttons that appear right below a message in Telegram. Unlike regular bot menus, these show up without you having to type a command. For news channels, that means you can put a "Read More" button under a headline, a "Vote Yes/No" option under a controversial claim, or a "See Related Story" link right after the summary.
Telegram bots handle these buttons. When someone taps one, the bot gets a signal and can respond instantly - sending a longer article, a video clip, a poll, or even a new message with fresh buttons. It’s like having a mini website inside every post.
Why This Works Better Than Plain Text
News on Telegram often gets ignored because it’s too long, too vague, or feels like spam. Users scroll past without clicking. But add a single button - say, "See Full Report" - and engagement jumps. A study from a media group in Brazil showed that news posts with inline buttons had 68% more taps than those without. Why? Because the button gives a clear next step. It reduces friction.
Think about it: if you see a headline like "Stock Market Drops 5%," you might think, "I’ll read it later." But if you see that same headline with a button labeled "What Caused the Drop?" you’re more likely to tap it. You’re not deciding whether to read - you’re deciding which part to explore next.
How to Build an Inline Keyboard for News
You don’t need to be a developer to make this work. Here’s how to do it in three steps:
- Use a bot builder like BotFather to create a new bot. Telegram gives you a token - keep that safe.
- Choose a platform like Telegram Bot API or a no-code tool like ManyChat or Chatfuel that supports Telegram buttons.
- Design your buttons. Keep them short. Use action words: "Read," "Watch," "Vote," "Compare," "Next Story."
Here’s what the code looks like behind the scenes (simplified):
[
[
{"text": "Read Full Article", "url": "https://yournews.site/story123"},
{"text": "Vote: Is This Real?", "callback_data": "vote_real"}
],
[
{"text": "See Related", "callback_data": "related_stock"}
]
]This creates two rows: one with two buttons, one with one. When someone taps "Vote: Is This Real?", your bot receives "vote_real" as a signal and can trigger a poll or send a fact-check reply.
Real Examples from News Channels
Some channels are already doing this well. The Reuters Bot uses buttons to let users choose between "Politics," "Business," or "Tech" updates. The BBC News Bot adds a "Listen to Audio" button under breaking stories. In Ukraine, a local news channel added a "Is This Verified?" button that, when tapped, shows a timeline of the event with sources.
One small news site in Poland saw their open rate jump from 12% to 34% after adding a "Show Sources" button under every post. People weren’t just reading - they were checking credibility. That’s trust built into the interface.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not all button setups work. Here’s what fails:
- Too many buttons. More than 4 per row confuses users.
- Vague labels. "Click here" doesn’t tell users what they’ll get.
- Buttons that go nowhere. If a button says "Read More" but the link is broken, people stop trusting your bot.
- Forgetting mobile. Buttons must be big enough to tap on a phone. Telegram recommends at least 44x44 pixels.
Also, avoid putting buttons in the first message of a thread. Users need context first. Put the buttons under the summary, not the headline.
Advanced Uses: Personalized News Streams
Once you get the basics down, you can go further. Let users choose their interests with a button like "Tell me what you care about." Then, use their choices to send tailored updates. Someone who taps "Economy" gets financial news. Someone who taps "Sports" gets match results. You’re not just sending news - you’re building a custom feed.
You can even combine buttons with polls. After a post about climate policy, add: "Do you think this will help?" with Yes/No buttons. Then, show the results in the next update. It turns readers into contributors.
How to Track What Works
Telegram doesn’t give you analytics out of the box, but you can track clicks with simple tools. Use a URL shortener like Bitly or Rebrandly for your "Read More" links. That way, you can see how many people clicked each button. Or use a bot service like Telegraf or python-telegram-bot to log callback data.
Look for patterns. If "Watch Video" gets 3x more taps than "Read Article," maybe your audience prefers video. If "Verify Fact" is tapped often, your audience is skeptical - and that’s a good sign. They’re engaged enough to question.
When Not to Use Inline Keyboards
They’re not magic. Don’t use them if:
- Your content is too simple. A one-sentence update doesn’t need buttons.
- You don’t have a way to respond. Buttons without replies feel broken.
- You’re posting too often. If you send 10 messages an hour, buttons become noise.
Also, avoid using them for breaking news that needs to spread fast. In emergencies, simplicity wins. Just send the headline and let users forward it.
What’s Next for News on Telegram?
Telegram is becoming a news hub - not just because of reach, but because of interaction. Inline keyboards are the first step toward making news feel like a conversation, not a broadcast. Soon, you’ll see bots that remember your preferences, suggest stories based on your taps, and even let you comment directly through button replies.
The future isn’t just about sending news. It’s about letting people shape it. And inline keyboards? They’re the simplest way to start.
Can I use inline keyboards without coding?
Yes. Tools like ManyChat, Chatfuel, and Telegram’s own BotFather let you create buttons without writing code. You pick button text, choose what happens when someone taps it (like sending a link or message), and publish. No programming needed.
How many buttons should I put in one message?
Stick to 2-4 buttons per row, and no more than two rows total. Too many options overwhelm users. For news, focus on one main action (like "Read More") and one secondary (like "See Sources" or "Vote").
Do inline buttons work on all devices?
Yes. Inline keyboards appear on Android, iOS, desktop, and web versions of Telegram. The buttons resize automatically to fit the screen. Just make sure your text is short and the tap targets aren’t too small.
Can I update buttons after sending a message?
Not directly. Once a message is sent, the buttons are fixed. But you can send a follow-up message with new buttons. For example, after a user votes, reply with "Thanks! Here’s what others said" and include new buttons like "See More Results" or "Compare with Last Week."
Are inline keyboards free to use?
Yes. Telegram doesn’t charge for inline keyboards or bot interactions. You only pay if you use a third-party service that has a subscription fee, like ManyChat’s premium plan. The core feature is free.
Next Steps for News Publishers
Start small. Pick one popular post this week. Add two buttons: "Read Full" and "Verify Claim." Track clicks for 48 hours. See which one gets more taps. Then tweak. Maybe next time, swap "Verify Claim" for "See Sources" or add a "Share with Friend" button.
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for interaction. The goal isn’t to make fancy buttons - it’s to turn readers into participants. Once they start tapping, you’re no longer just broadcasting news. You’re building a community that cares enough to engage.
