Home / Blog / How to Run Telegram Ads
How to Run Telegram Ads in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
Telegram Ads look deceptively simple — a 160-character message, a link, a bid. Yet most first campaigns waste budget on the wrong channels, get stuck in moderation, or burn out at high CPCs. This guide walks through the exact process we use at SSR Agency to launch profitable campaigns, step by step.
Step 1: Choose your account type
There are two ways into Telegram's ad platform. The TON self-serve platform lets anyone start with a small crypto deposit, but restricts targeting and only allows Telegram links as destinations. A Euro cabinet, accessed through official partner agencies, unlocks all countries, external landing pages and faster moderation. If you are testing a channel with a tiny budget, self-serve is fine; if you are acquiring users for an app, bot or website, the Euro cabinet pays for itself quickly.
Step 2: Research channels and audience
Telegram Ads are shown inside public channels with 1,000+ subscribers, so channel selection is your targeting. Build a list of channels your customers actually read: search Telegram directories, study where competitors advertise, and note each channel's language and topic. Then decide your targeting mix — by channel topic, specific channels, user language and country — and exclude anything off-brand with negative lists.
Step 3: Write creatives that pass moderation and convert
You get roughly 160 characters and one link, so every word matters. Lead with the benefit, keep claims honest, and avoid the words and symbols that trigger moderation. Prepare three to five variations so you can test angles rather than betting everything on one line.
Step 4: Set bids and budget
Start with a modest test budget and CPM bids near the recommended level for your targets. The goal of the first phase is data, not scale — you are learning which channels and creatives earn the cheapest results.
Step 5: Launch, then optimize daily
Review CTR, CPC and conversions every day. Pause weak creatives and channels early, and move budget toward what is working. Telegram campaigns reward attention: small daily adjustments compound into a meaningfully lower cost per result over a few weeks.
Want it handled for you?
SSR Agency runs Telegram Ads end to end — from Euro cabinet access to daily optimization. See our Telegram Ads service or message us on Telegram for a free call.