The messaging platform Telegram is gearing up to compete against Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger by introducing a new suite of features tailored for businesses, along with support for revenue sharing through advertisements. Officially launched recently following an earlier announcement, Telegram Business offers features such as customizable start pages, the ability to set business hours, and utilize pre-set replies, greetings, away messages, chatbots, chat tags, and more.

Furthermore, Telegram’s public channels with a minimum of 1,000 subscribers can now earn 50% of the ad revenue generated from ads displayed within their channels.

These enhancements come shortly after Telegram founder Pavel Durov expressed his expectation, in an interview with the Financial Times, that the app, now boasting over 900 million users, would achieve profitability by 2025.

Telegram Business is a significant component of Telegram’s strategic efforts leading up to a potential future IPO, as it requires users to subscribe to the paid Premium version for access.

Telegram Premium is a subscription service offering enhanced features, priced at $4.99 per month for iOS and Android users, and is also available as a three-month, six-month, or one-year plan. Purchasing Premium in-app via the @PremiumBot on Android, Desktop, and Mac provides a discounted rate, as Telegram doesn’t need to share a commission with app stores.

By December 2022, Telegram Premium had surpassed its first million subscribers, and by January 2024, it had grown to 5 million subscribers, indicating a rapid acceleration in subscriber growth.

The introduction of Telegram Business is expected to further drive Premium subscriptions, as it offers tools and features tailored for business users, eliminating the need for coding knowledge.

For example, businesses have the option to showcase their operating hours and physical location on a map. Additionally, they can welcome customers with a personalized start page in empty chats, where they can select the text and stickers users see before initiating a conversation. Similar to functionalities found on WhatsApp, Telegram Business will provide “quick replies,” allowing for pre-set messages that support various formats, including links, media, stickers, and files.

Businesses have the ability to establish personalized greeting messages for initial interactions with customers, along with setting a timeframe for when these greetings are displayed again. Additionally, they can utilize away messages to manage availability during periods of closure or when the owner is away.

Furthermore, businesses can categorize their chats by assigning colored labels based on their corresponding chat folders, such as delivery, claims, orders, VIP, feedback, or any other categories that are relevant to their operations.

Furthermore, businesses have the capability to generate chat links that prompt immediate actions, such as tracking an order or making a reservation. Additionally, business customers can integrate Telegram bots, including those from other platforms or AI assistants, to manage messages on their behalf.

The company has stated that more features will be introduced to Telegram Business in future updates. Durov has already hinted at potential additions, mentioning to the Financial Times earlier this month that Telegram plans to introduce AI-powered chatbots for business users.

These features could potentially disrupt a market dominated by Meta’s apps such as Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp for business communication. Even Apple has a limited presence in this sector with its Apple Messages for Businesses, utilized by various companies including Shopify, Aramark, Four Seasons, and others.

While access to Telegram’s new business features requires a Premium subscription, there are no additional charges beyond that to enable these options. Users can find these features under Settings > Telegram Business within the app.

Apart from revenue generated through Premium subscriptions, the company also earns revenue from Telegram Ads. Recently, it announced a revenue-sharing program using toncoin, a token on the TON blockchain. The program has now been initiated, as announced by the company on Sunday.

Previously, Telegram experimented with the TON blockchain for activities such as auctioning usernames and launching a cryptocurrency wallet in all markets except the U.S.