Telegram, the chat app that turned profitable last year, has just rolled out some exciting enhancements to its platform, promising a more engaging user experience. Among the standout features in this update are a more robust sticker search, innovative video cover customization, and the option to bookmark videos at precise moments for easy sharing or revisiting.
Previously launched in December, Telegram’s AI-driven sticker search allowed users to find stickers using natural language. Initially confined to a selection of 40,000 stickers, the latest update significantly expands this capability. Now, by entering phrases like “Thinking monkey” or “Dog eyebrow raise,” users can explore a vast collection of millions of stickers available across Telegram, making expression through stickers more versatile and fun.
The updated app also introduces enhancements for video content, aligning with modern video-sharing trends. Users can now link directly to a specific time in a video, facilitating seamless sharing and viewing. Similarly, they can pick a frame from a video to serve as a cover image, akin to thumbnails on popular video platforms. Additionally, the platform’s video editor enables customization of these frames with text, stickers, and emojis, adding a personalized touch to video content.
An added feature allows users to save their viewing progress, meaning interruptions won’t require a restart. You can simply pick up right where you left off, offering a more convenient viewing experience.
While Telegram hosts myriad channels sharing original content, it’s important to note that it has faced criticism for also being home to pirated content. In response, the company removed 15 million groups and channels last year to tackle such issues, though not all removed content involved piracy.
Telegram has also made strides in enhancing its channel discovery experience. Introduced in 2023, the platform began suggesting similar channels when users join a new one. This feature is now being extended to bots, enabling users to find bots that offer related services more effortlessly. When viewing a bot service profile, users will notice a “Similar Bots” tab, opening up new avenues for discovery and interaction within the app.
These updates not only reflect Telegram’s commitment to improving user engagement but also highlight its adaptive strategies to enhance platform functionality and user experience continually.
