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Telegram is enhancing its channel features to compete with WhatsApp, introducing improved channel discovery, customizable emojis for reactions, and statistics for stories. Users joining new channels will receive recommendations for related channels. Channels can now repost their stories on their pages, with added text, photos, or videos.

Courtesy Of Telegram

In an effort to better compete with WhatsApp, Telegram has announced new features related to channels, such as improved channel discovery, customizable emoticons for reactions, and statistics for stories. In September, the platform owned by Meta launched its broadcast channels feature worldwide.

To better surface different channels, the app will now recommend related channels to users when they join a new Telegram channel.

The app began rolling out stories to all users in August. Users and channels will now be able to repost their stories on their own pages thanks to the most recent update. Stories can have text, photos, or videos added to them while they are being reposted.

Moreover, channels can add unique emojis according to their level. With their subscription, premium users receive one boost that they can use on any channel. Channels are given a level to unlock features like posting stories, based on how many boosts they have received. The procedure is a little intricate and game-like.

Courtesy Of Telegram

Telegram has added the ability for channels that have enabled the stories feature to view various story metrics, such as views, reactions, and shares, in addition to an activity timeline.

Telegram also unveiled a giveaway feature last month, allowing channels to increase their fan base or welcome new members by giving away Telegram Premium and other gifts.

Telegram is expanding its voice-to-text functionality for audio messages to free users, with a weekly limit of two transcriptions, in addition to channel-related features. In addition, the latest version includes features like enhanced topic viewing in groups, a two-sided wallpaper for premium users that will be seen by both parties in a chat, and a better highlighting block for code in messages.

Although Telegram has long offered channel features, WhatsApp’s recent release of a feature akin to its own is forcing the app to adapt. On his broadcast channel on WhatsApp last month, Mark Zuckerberg announced that the feature had surpassed 500 million monthly active users. To put things in perspective, Telegram boasts over 800 million monthly active users, while WhatsApp has over 2 billion monthly active users.

Courtesy of Telegram