Telegram Growth and Why Deep Linking is Important
The fast changing competitive landscape for messaging apps is currently dominated by Messenger and WhatsApp which are both Facebook services. Telegram, however, is quickly making gains globally. The company’s CEO and Founder, Duval Durov, revealed in February of 2016 that that its monthly active users (MAUs) have exceeded 100 million and growing fast.
That breaks down to about 38 million users who joined the service since May 2015. Over 350,000 new users sign in to the app every day sending over 15 billion messages daily, an increase of 25 percent over the 12 billion registered in September 2015. Forward thinking marketers are using telegram channels to communicate brand messaging to target audiences. Deeplinking to your Telegram channel or username with tools like URLgenius from different marketing channels can help you get more followers faster.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
Telegram Channels vs. Usernames
After you signup for Telegram, consider the name for your Telegram channel. A username is related to the person’s mobile device that setup the Telegram account. A channel is how people can follow your brand on telegram. From the main menu in Telegram select ‘New Channel’. If someone is squatting on your brand name, simply appeal to Telegram to have it transferred to you.
Once your channel is created, you can use tools like URLgenius to compose an app deep link or QR code for Telegram and promote it in your emails, on your website, or in print as a way for your audience to follow your brand. When clicked, URLgenius will track Telegram app opens across iOS and Android as well as geography and referring URL. One you start promoting your URLgenius Telegram link, the app-open rate for your link will tell you what percentage of your audience currently has the Telegram app installed. Its also an easy way to position your brand as forward thinking in the way it communicates with customers.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
Step-by-Step: How to Deep Link to Telegram
- URLgenius users can follow these steps to create a link to Telegram usernames and channels.
- Enter your Telegram URL into the box provided in this format: //t.me/username where ‘username’ is the name of your channel or profile (make sure to include the ‘s’ in ‘https’).
- Notice the Telegram app icon is highlighted.
- The icon tells you that URLgenius understands the link you typed or pasted.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
- For example, in the screenshot below we are creating a link to the URLgenius Telegram channel.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
- Now click the “Compose” button and you will be presented with a ‘Copy URL’ button.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
- Copy the link using the button provided and paste in other marketing channels in your effort to promote followers to your channel on Telegram.
- Scan the QR code with your mobile device to test the behavior of the link.
- Best Practice: Update your social profile links using similar steps.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
How to use your Telegram app deep link:
- Place behind the Telegram icon on your website.
- Place behind promotions only available on Telegram (make sure you broadcast the promotion first!).
- Where possible, promote on your other social channels to encourage other social audiences to follow you on Telegram. Note: Instagram blocks linking to Telegram.
- Use in display advertising and paid search campaigns to promote your Telegram channel.
- Best Practice: append your preferred web or channel analytics UTM parameters for tracking (Google Analytics, Omniture, Kenshoo etc.)
- We just got started with Telegram ourselves. Make sure to follow us by clicking this link: //urlgeni.us/telegram/urlgenius.
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels Channels
App Deep Linking Analytics for Telegram
You can login to your URLgenius dashboard at any time to understand how much Telegram engagement you are driving.
- Here is an example chart for daily clicks to your URLgenius Telegram link by date range.
Deep Linking Analytics for Telegram App
Deep Linking Analytics for Telegram App
- The next chart below shows Telegram app opens by platform and device.
- The app open rate helps you determine what percentage of people who clicked had the Telegram app installed for iOS or Android.
- App store visits indicate those have shown interest in viewing your channel or username in the
- Telegram app but do not have the Telegram app installed on their device yet.
Deep Linking Analytics for Telegram App
Deep Linking Analytics for Telegram App
- This is a view of Telegram app opens by device and by state. These insights can help you focus your Telegram campaign geographically.
Deep Linking Analytics for Telegram App
Telegram App Deep Linking Analytics
- When checking analytics in the URLgenius dashboard, keep in mind that after a click, there is a one hour delay in reporting.
- We will send you an analytics update monthly automatically when you reach ten clicks or more in a single calendar month.
Contact us at with questions about deep linking to Telegram or other mobile apps.
See these “how-to” articles for more deep linking and QR code best practices:
Deep Linking to Instagram TV Videos
Introducing Instagram Story Camera Deep Links
How to Create a QR Code that Deep Link to Your Mobile App
Deep Linking QR codes into the Amazon App Products
Facebook Page QR Codes and Deep Links: How to Track App Opens and Engagement
How to Make YouTube Video QR Codes and Deep Links into the App
How to Make Deep Links and QR codes into Snapchat to Grow Followers
How to Make Deep Links and QR Codes into Twitter to Grow Engagement
How to Make Deep Links and QR Codes for Facebook Messenger
Deep Linking to Telegram Usernames and Channels
SoundCloud Deep Linking to Artists and Songs
How to Generate Deep Links and QR Codes for Spotify Music
How to Generate App Deep Links and QR Codes for Facebook Pages
Top 10 App Deep Linking and QR Code URL Schemes for Marketers