The Rise of Telegram: WhatsApp's Strange Little Brother

Like a thief in the night, Telegram has quietly become one of the most important platforms of the decade. It’s not just an alternative to WhatsApp — it's an ecosystem that is reshaping how individuals, brands, and communities interact online.

Telegram’s flexible architecture and focus on privacy have led to explosive user growth, and as the platform continues to expand, the opportunity to build a lasting audience presence is greater than ever.

But why is Telegram so preferred to other messaging apps like WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger?

 

Telegram's Growth by the Numbers

Well let's review the numbers first, so you can grasp the sheer magnitude of its growth. Telegram has experienced significant user growth since 2020. The platform now serves 1 billion monthly active users as of early 2025 — up from only 300 million users in late 2019 pre-Covid. It has consistently added tens of millions of users each quarter, with noticeable surges during periods of digital disruption, such as changes in WhatsApp’s privacy policies or internet censorship in certain regions.

The key drivers of Telegram's growth:

1. Privacy and security: End-to-end encryption, anonymous posting, and ad-free experiences.

2. Cross-platform support: Telegram syncs seamlessly across mobile, desktop, and web.

3. Robust feature set: Large groups, broadcast channels, bots, file sharing, payments, and polls.

4. Developer-friendly: Open APIs encourage innovation with bots, integrations, and mini-apps.

5. Global accessibility: Telegram performs well in restricted environments and emerging markets like Asia, which are obviously a huge chunk of the global population. 

 

A Platform Beyond Messaging

Remember that one girl you once thought was so special, and was super convinced she 'wasn't like the rest'? Well this time it's actually true, only the girl is called Telegram. We're saying this because it's vastly different to other messaging apps. Telegram distinguishes itself from traditional messaging apps by offering a hybrid of group chat, social media, and publishing capabilities. One of its most powerful tools — Channels — enables creators, brands, and organizations to broadcast messages to unlimited audiences.

Unlike most social platforms, Telegram does not rely on algorithms to filter or limit content distribution. A message sent to 20,000 subscribers reaches all 20,000 — no throttling, no paid boosts.

 

Why Timing Matters: Early Growth Advantage

Telegram is entering a critical growth phase. Much like TikTok in 2020, or red-pill YouTubers in 2021. Telegram now offers a window of opportunity for individuals and organizations to establish themselves before the ecosystem becomes fully saturated.

Building a Telegram channel now offers:

• First-mover advantage: Organic growth is still achievable without ad spend.

• Direct access to global markets: Particularly strong in Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and crypto-focused regions.

• Full audience reach: No suppression of reach due to algorithmic changes or paywalls.

• Emerging monetization tools: Telegram has introduced ad revenue sharing for large public channels, with more features in development.

Real-World Use Cases

Telegram has become the platform of choice for crypto influencers, startup founders, AI researchers, journalists, and unfortunately, forex trading gurus. It serves as the core communication infrastructure for many Web3 projects, DAOs, NFT communities, and private investment groups.

Its design supports both intimacy and scale, enabling niche communities to grow while maintaining direct and frequent engagement with their audiences.

 

How to Grow a Telegram Channel Today

1. Define your niche – Be specific about the value you're offering.

2. Cross-promote strategically – Use existing platforms like X, Instagram, or email newsletters to direct users to Telegram.

3. Create exclusivity – Share early content, updates, or offers that are only available on your channel.

4. Leverage engagement tools – Use bots, automated replies, and discussions to keep audiences active.

 

Conclusion

Telegram’s rise isn’t an anomaly — it’s the result of a platform built around privacy, utility, and global accessibility. It offers creators and brands the tools to communicate at scale without platform interference, making it one of the most important channels for digital communication in the coming years.

As the platform continues to evolve and mature, the value of having a well-established Telegram channel will only grow.

Now is the time to take action and invest in that growth to secure your space in one of the most dynamic corners of the internet.