Telegram has launched its first update of 2025, introducing a suite of features aimed at enhancing user experience and engagement. Among the most notable additions are collectible gifts, message search filters, reactions for service messages, and an in-app QR code scanner.

Collectible Gifts: Merging Digital Gifting with NFTs

In this update, Telegram allows users to upgrade received gifts into collectible digital artworks. These collectibles boast unique attributes, including custom designs by Telegram artists and random secondary traits like background color, icon, and number, ensuring each piece is distinct. Users can transfer these collectibles to others or auction them on NFT marketplaces, integrating Telegram’s gifting system with the burgeoning world of digital collectibles.

Enhanced Message Search Filters

To improve navigation, Telegram has refined its message search functionality. Users can now apply filters to search results, narrowing them down to private chats, group chats, or channels. This enhancement streamlines the process of locating specific messages across various conversation types.

Reactions for Service Messages

The update introduces the ability to react to service messages—notifications that appear when events like new members joining a group or someone sending a gift occur. This feature enables users to quickly acknowledge such events with reactions, fostering more interactive and responsive communication within the platform.

In-App QR Code Scanner

Telegram has incorporated a QR code scanner directly into its in-app camera. This addition allows users to scan QR codes without leaving the application, facilitating seamless access to links and information shared via QR codes.

Third-Party Verification to Combat Scams

In a move to enhance security and trust, Telegram now permits official third-party services to assign unique verification icons to users and chats. This initiative aims to combat scams by providing an additional layer of verification, distinct from Telegram’s existing blue checkmark for verified public figures and organizations. Users can view the verifying service and the reason behind the verification by clicking on the icon, promoting transparency and user safety.

To learn more about this topic, check out our Telegram’s 950M Users and Its Legal Tangle for deeper insights.

Key Takeaway for Marketing Managers

Telegram’s latest features offer new avenues for engagement and brand interaction, particularly in the Middle East, where the platform enjoys significant popularity.

• Leveraging Collectible Gifts: Brands can create and distribute unique digital collectibles to foster community engagement and brand loyalty. By offering exclusive NFTs, companies can tap into the growing interest in digital assets and provide value-added experiences to their audience.
• Utilizing Enhanced Search Filters: The improved search functionality allows for more efficient content management and retrieval. Marketing teams can swiftly locate past communications, monitor group interactions, and manage channels more effectively, streamlining workflow and enhancing productivity.
• Engaging with Service Message Reactions: The ability to react to service messages enables real-time feedback and interaction. Brands can gauge audience responses to announcements or events promptly, allowing for more dynamic and responsive communication strategies.
• Implementing QR Code Strategies: With the in-app QR code scanner, marketers can integrate QR codes into campaigns, directing users to promotions, websites, or exclusive content without requiring them to leave the Telegram app. This seamless integration can enhance user experience and engagement rates.
• Ensuring Authenticity with Third-Party Verification: Obtaining third-party verification can bolster a brand’s credibility on the platform. By displaying verification icons, companies can assure users of their authenticity, building trust and mitigating concerns about scams or misinformation.

By embracing these new features, marketing professionals can enhance their strategies, foster deeper engagement with their audience, and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving digital landscape of the Middle East.