The new monetization program for Telegram channels, the launch of which was announced by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, will not work in Russia and other CIS countries. Two sources familiar with the company's plans told The Bell about this.

The program will only operate in those markets where Telegram's advertising model, launched in 2021, has not yet been implemented, the publication's sources explained.

"It's smart to open up new markets and countries. Building agency networks around the world and so on is a bit of a hassle. And in Russia, advertising on Telegram sells well anyway," one of The Bell's sources explained.

On February 28, Pavel Durov announced that in March, the Telegram Ad advertising platform would start working in almost 100 new countries. “Channel owners in these countries will start receiving 50% of the income that Telegram receives from displaying ads in their channels,” the founder of the messenger announced. Payments will be made using TON technology, channel owners will receive money in the form of Toncoin cryptocurrency.
In Russia, advertising in Telegram appeared at the end of 2021. However, it does not provide for monetization for channel administrators. The messenger itself sells advertising through authorized agencies that buy “airtime” in large channels in large lots.

The Bell: Telegram's new monetization program will not work in Russia and the CIS countries