Telegram isn’t just a messaging app anymore-it’s a growing money-making platform for news creators. If you run a news channel with a loyal audience, you can turn your credibility into real income through Telegram’s native affiliate program, launched in April 2024. No third-party tools. No complex setups. Just your channel, your audience, and a simple way to earn when people click your links.
How Telegram’s Affiliate Program Works for News Creators
Telegram’s affiliate system runs on Stars, its in-app currency. When someone uses your unique affiliate link to sign up for a mini-app, bot, or service, you earn Stars. Every 100 Stars equals $1 USD, and you can cash out anytime-no minimum threshold. That’s different from other platforms that lock your earnings until you hit $50 or $100. News creators benefit because their audience already trusts them. If you cover crypto markets, your readers will listen when you recommend a trading tool. If you break down geopolitical events, your followers will click on a financial data service you vouch for. The key is alignment. Your promotions shouldn’t feel like ads-they should feel like helpful recommendations. As of December 2025, Telegram has paid out over $1.2 billion in affiliate commissions globally. News channels account for 22% of that total, making them one of the most profitable verticals. Channels focused on finance, tech, and crypto earn the most, with average conversion rates of 8.2% compared to 3.7% for general news.Who Can Join? Requirements and Eligibility
You don’t need to be a media giant. Telegram doesn’t enforce a strict subscriber count to join the affiliate program. But in practice, most high-paying programs prefer channels with at least 1,000 subscribers. Why? Because they want to see engagement, not just numbers. Real-world example: "Crypto Daily News," a channel with 5,200 subscribers, earned $387 in its first month by promoting a crypto exchange. Their secret? They didn’t just drop a link. They wrote a short post explaining how the exchange’s fee structure saved traders money during volatile markets-something their audience had been complaining about. To get started, open Telegram on your phone or desktop. Go to Settings > My Stars > Affiliate Programs. That’s it. You’ll see a list of available programs sorted by revenue, commission rate, or launch date. You can join as many as you want. There are no limits. But don’t join everything. Pick programs that match your content.How to Pick the Right Affiliate Programs
Not all affiliate offers are created equal. The best ones solve real problems your audience already has. - Financial news channels: Focus on trading platforms (TradingView, Binance, Kraken), financial data tools, or market analysis bots. Commissions range from 15% to 45%. - Tech news channels: Promote developer tools, API services, or productivity bots. Rates are typically 10%-30%. - Geopolitical or investigative news: Partner with secure messaging apps, encrypted storage services, or research databases. These often pay higher commissions because they serve niche, high-value users. Avoid unrelated offers. A channel covering Ukraine war updates that promotes weight-loss supplements will lose trust fast. One study found that news channels promoting off-topic products saw unsubscribe rates jump to 12.7%, compared to the industry average of 7.8%. Telegram now uses AI to suggest relevant programs based on your channel’s content. If your posts mention Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Fed policy, it’ll push you toward financial tools. This feature is already used by 41% of news creators-and it boosts conversion rates by 18-22%.How to Promote Affiliate Links Without Losing Trust
The biggest mistake news creators make? Treating affiliate links like ads. Top performers follow a simple rule: 90% news, 10% promotion. That means for every nine posts about breaking events, you share one post that offers a solution. Here’s how to do it right:- Start with the problem: "Many of you asked how to track real-time Fed rate changes without paying $200/month."
- Then introduce the tool: "TradingView’s free plan lets you set custom alerts for interest rate shifts."
- Explain the benefit: "It’s the same platform institutional traders use-and you can get it for 20% less with my link."
- End with a soft CTA: "Link in the pinned message if you want to try it."
Tracking, Analytics, and Optimization
Telegram gives you basic analytics: how many clicks your link got and how many people signed up. But to really optimize, add UTM parameters to your links. Example:https://t.me/yourbot?start=affiliate123&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=textpost&utm_campaign=tradingtool
This lets you track which posts drive the most conversions. Check your stats twice a day during big news events-like Fed announcements or election results-when traffic spikes.
Top channels post affiliate links only once or twice a week, spaced at least 72 hours apart. Too many promotions = audience fatigue. One creator on Reddit lost 1,800 subscribers after posting affiliate links three days in a row. They went back to one post every four days-and their retention improved.
You can’t track individual user behavior like you would on Google Analytics, but Telegram’s built-in stats are enough to see what’s working. If a link gets 500 clicks but only 10 sign-ups, try a different offer or rewrite the message.
Legal and Compliance Risks You Can’t Ignore
This is where many creators get into trouble. If you promote financial products-crypto exchanges, trading bots, investment platforms-you must include clear disclaimers. In the EU, you’re required to follow AML5 rules: state that users are responsible for their own decisions, and that the product isn’t regulated. In the U.S., the FTC requires you to say "Paid Promotion" or "Affiliate Link" clearly in your post. In Q3 2025 alone, 243 news channels received warnings from Telegram for promoting unregulated crypto tools without disclaimers. Some were suspended. Others lost affiliate access. Always check the program’s terms. If a platform doesn’t allow promotion in your region, don’t promote it. A single violation can cost you your entire affiliate account.What’s Coming in 2026
Telegram isn’t standing still. In early 2026, they’re rolling out two major updates: - Real-time analytics dashboard: See clicks, conversions, and earnings live-no waiting for daily updates. - Multi-tier commissions: You’ll earn a percentage when someone you refer becomes an affiliate themselves. Early testers reported 30-45% revenue increases. Industry analysts predict the Telegram news affiliate market will hit $720 million by the end of 2026. Specialized niches like geopolitical risk analysis and supply chain intelligence are already commanding 50-60% commission rates.
Real Success Stories
- "MarketPulse," a financial news channel with 8,200 subscribers, waited three months before launching affiliate links. They only promoted one tool: a real-time earnings calendar bot. Their first month: $512 in earnings. Today, they earn over $2,000/month. - "Tech Brief," a solo-run tech news channel with 4,100 followers, started promoting a free API tool for developers. They wrote a 10-part series explaining how to use it. Each post included a link. Result: $347 in one month, zero unsubscribes. On the flip side: "GlobalAffiliateNews" promoted vitamin supplements to a geopolitical news audience. They lost 1,240 subscribers in two weeks. "Our audience trusted us for facts, not fads," they said.Final Checklist: Your First 7 Days
If you’re ready to start, here’s what to do:- Confirm you have at least 1,000 subscribers (even if it’s not required, it helps).
- Review your last 10 posts. Are they focused on one topic? If not, narrow your niche.
- Go to Settings > My Stars > Affiliate Programs. Pick 2-3 programs that match your content.
- Write one promotional post using the problem-solution-benefit format. Don’t include a link yet.
- Wait 72 hours. Then post the link in a follow-up message.
- Track clicks for 7 days. If you get under 5% conversion, try a different offer.
- Add a disclaimer: "This is an affiliate link. I earn a small commission if you sign up. I only recommend tools I use myself."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to join Telegram’s affiliate program?
No. Joining Telegram’s affiliate program is completely free. There are no setup fees, monthly charges, or minimum requirements to sign up. You only earn when someone uses your link and signs up for a service.
How do I get paid?
You earn Stars, Telegram’s in-app currency. 100 Stars = $1 USD. You can cash out anytime through the My Stars section. Payments are processed instantly to your linked bank account or payment app-no waiting for monthly payouts.
Can I promote affiliate links in group chats or only in my channel?
You can only earn commissions from links shared in your own public channel. Promoting in group chats, private messages, or other people’s channels won’t track referrals. The system is designed for creators who build audiences through consistent, public content.
What if my audience doesn’t click my links?
It’s normal to get low clicks at first. Focus on building trust first. Post high-quality news for a few weeks. Then, when you promote something, tie it directly to a problem your audience has mentioned in comments. People click when they feel you’re helping them-not selling to them.
Are there restrictions on what I can promote?
Yes. You can’t promote illegal products, gambling, adult content, or unregulated financial instruments without proper disclaimers. Telegram bans channels that repeatedly violate these rules. Always read the affiliate program’s terms before promoting anything.
Next Steps for News Creators
If you’re just starting: focus on one affiliate offer. Don’t try to promote five tools at once. Pick the one that fits your content best. Write one thoughtful post. Track the results. Adjust. Repeat. If you’re already earning: test new formats. Try a voice note explaining the tool. Or create a short checklist your audience can download. Small experiments often lead to big gains. The best news creators on Telegram don’t see affiliate links as a way to make money. They see them as a way to give their audience better tools. That mindset makes all the difference.Latest Posts
