Telegram, which is famous for its libertarian approach of focusing on privacy by refusing to share data with authorities multiple times, has changed drastically from what it was when it launched in 2013. What makes us say this is that it now has various features that have made it more than a simple communication tool.
The main features that have expanded Telegram’s capabilities though have been mostly bots, channels, file sharing, and streaming. You can buy a Telegram channel on madbid.com. With that said, let’s see how these features are helping the app position itself as way more than a messaging service below.
The Transition Toward a Super App
First off, let’s define what a super app is. Apps of this type consolidate several services into one platform so users can utilise them for different things in their daily lives.
Telegram seems to be inching closer to becoming a super app as, for instance, it now offers many entertainment options like gaming, streaming services, and online casinos. This means that within the app Telegram users can play games, easily stream their favorite shows or content, and wager on games via Telegram casinos. According to the experts behind tg.casino, these wagering platforms can offer huge game libraries with over 5,000 titles for players to choose from. This means that from within the Telegram app players have access to thousands of games to play and bet on along with an endless amount of content to watch and stream. Because of these high-quality entertainment options, all hosted within the communication app, many think that Telegram is well on its way to becoming a super app.
Telegram has also been able to drive more engagement on its platform and has opened up new monetization avenues. What supports these features is mostly the platform’s robust bot infrastructure that powers different aspects of these services like placing bets, facilitating multiplayer games, and fetching movies and TV shows from off-site servers.
Telegram also has payment systems that have enabled users to purchase various goods and services directly on the app, which are also supported by bots. These payment gateways are what businesses now use to run their storefronts on the app, which has turned it into a burgeoning e-commerce hub.
Businesses have started using Telegram as a workplace tool as well, as the app offers scheduling bots, file management systems, and even collaborative tools that can be used for remote work which is starting to shape the future of business. The app’s cloud-based infrastructure has also ensured seamless access to work materials across various devices.
This app’s channels have also started to serve increasingly as curated content streams, as they’ve allowed users to follow news outlets, creators, or hobbyist groups. This has positioned Telegram as a rival to platforms like Reddit or Twitter as more people have started relying on it for real-time updates and discussions.
Telegram has integrated blockchain technology into its platform too with its TON (Telegram Open Network) initiative that facilitates secure and decentralised services. This means that cryptocurrency transactions and blockchain-based solutions may soon end up playing a bigger role than they already are in the app.
Challenges on the Road to Super App Status
Despite its potential to become a super app, Telegram still faces challenges that have made this difficult such as regulatory hurdles. This means that the platform will need to strike a balance between innovation and compliance for it to expand quickly.
Telegram’s free-to-use model and its lack of intrusive ads have made it appealing to many users. However, with the platform scaling its offerings, it will need sustainable revenue streams that might include more ads, which the platform will need to integrate without sacrificing the experience that users have become accustomed to.
This app is also facing tough competition as it’s up against behemoths like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger which have billions of users. The crowded market Telegram has found itself in will require it to come up with a lot of innovation and more user-centric policies to stand out.
The Road Ahead
What will help Telegram fully realise its potential as a super app going forward, is integrating its services seamlessly while addressing its issues with scaling. Expanding its financial tools, enhancing its content ecosystem, and optimising its user interface might help with this.
Additionally, partnering more with local businesses and governments could also help as this approach will allow Telegram to know how it can adapt its offerings to specific markets.
Conclusion
As we conclude, when it comes to whether Telegram will become the next global super app is yet to be seen, but its trajectory is worth keeping an eye on.
To reach this status though, it will need to keep expanding its services while maintaining its core principles as it mostly has, however, the app’s journey thus far has been a great example of the possibilities that can arise when technology, adaptability, and innovation converge.
That’s why whether it will transform into a super app or remain as a robust multi-purpose platform, Telegram’s evolution will continue to play a huge role in shaping how people connect, collaborate, and conduct business in the foreseeable future.
