Telegram has rolled out its latest update, version 11.14.0, for both Android and iOS users, bringing with it a slew of significant enhancements aimed at improving content discovery, profile customization, and developer capabilities.
The most notable addition is the Public Post Search feature, initially available exclusively to Premium subscribers. This feature introduces a dedicated ‘Posts’ tab within the Search section, allowing users to uncover “relevant results” from public Telegram channels. According to the company, this development centralizes the process of information discovery and source browsing into a unified interface, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for.
In terms of profile organization, Telegram has introduced Story Albums, a feature that enables users to curate stories from their contacts into thematic highlight reels displayed on their profiles. The platform highlights the utility of this feature for businesses and creators, as it facilitates the showcasing of products and the grouping of content into customized playlists. To add stories to albums, users need to access the Posts tab within their profile or channel and select ‘Add Album’.
Another feature aimed at enhancing user profile customization is Gift Collections. This allows users to organize digital gifts received on their profile or channel into custom groupings. These collections can be categorized based on theme, rarity, or other attributes, with individual gifts capable of appearing in multiple collections simultaneously. Users have the flexibility to create unlimited collections, supported by granular filtering options. Management of these collections occurs via the Gifts tab, where users can select specific gifts and click ‘Add Collection’.
A new Profile Rating system has also been introduced, displaying a numerical badge next to usernames. This rating is calculated based on total Telegram Stars transactions and signifies user activity levels. It helps channel owners assess credibility for features like Suggested Posts. The rating increases through actions such as purchasing gifts, sending paid messages, or funding Suggested Posts with Stars, but decreases with refunds or gift conversions. Additionally, Telegram has previewed an upcoming Premium Gifts feature, which promises to offer limited-edition digital items for Premium subscribers.
Lastly, the update includes the release of the BotFather Mini App, a comprehensive tool for bot and mini app developers. With this, developers can create bots, update settings, modify icons, and edit descriptions directly. The update expands development capabilities, supporting mini apps with features such as full-screen mode, subscription integrations, home screen shortcuts, geolocation services, and motion tracking functionality.
