Short answer: Telegram ads (sponsored messages) only appear in large public channels, never in private chats or groups. For readers, the official way to hide all of them is Telegram Premium. For channel owners, ads can be switched off for every reader once the channel reaches a high boost level; Telegram's API documentation lists the default threshold as level 50. Turning ads off also means giving up your share of the revenue those ads would have earned.
You scroll to the bottom of a channel and find a short message labelled "Sponsored". That is Telegram's own ad platform at work. Some readers find it annoying, and some owners feel the ads clash with their brand. This guide covers where ads appear and why, what readers and owners can do about them, how the revenue maths works, and the mistakes people make along the way.
Where do Telegram ads appear?
The Telegram FAQ describes sponsored messages as minimalist, privacy-conscious ads that may appear in large public channels, and says they never appear in private chats or groups. Telegram's announcement of revenue sharing says ads run in public channels with 1,000 or more subscribers. They are targeted by the channel's topic rather than by a reader's personal data.
One distinction matters a lot. A channel admin's own promotional or "collab" posts are not Telegram ads. Telegram's Premium FAQ says plainly that these are outside Telegram's control and still appear for Premium users.
| Type of ad | Who places it | Hidden by Premium? | Can the owner turn it off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsored message (Telegram Ads) | Telegram's ad platform | Yes | Yes, at a high boost level |
| The admin's own promo post | The channel admin | No | It is already their choice |
| Ads inside bots or mini apps | The bot owner or Telegram | It depends | Not up to the channel owner |
How readers can remove ads
Telegram's position is clear: sponsored messages are hidden for Telegram Premium subscribers, and "no ads" is one of Premium's listed features. There is no setting that turns ads off on a free account.
- Open Settings (the side menu on Android, the tab at the bottom right on iPhone, the top-left menu on Desktop).
- Tap Telegram Premium and choose a plan. Telegram says yearly plans come at a significant discount, and subscriptions bought through @PremiumBot can be cheaper because they avoid app store fees. Prices vary by country.
- Once the subscription is active, sponsored messages no longer appear in channels.
If you would rather not pay, the menu next to a sponsored message lets you learn about the ad or report an inappropriate one, but that does not remove ads overall. We explain the boost side of Premium in how many boosts Telegram Premium gives: every Premium subscriber can boost channels they like, which also helps those channels get closer to the level where ads can be switched off.
How channel owners can switch off ads
For owners, removing ads is a boost level feature. Telegram's ad revenue documentation says owners can disable ads on the channel for all users after reaching a set boost level. The configuration docs list that level as 50 by default. Telegram can change the value on its servers, so check the current threshold on your channel's Boost screen.
Step by step
- Check your level. Open the channel, tap its name and go to Statistics > Boosts (in some versions simply Boost). You will see the current level, the boosts needed for the next one and a progress bar.
- Work out the target. The number of boosts per level differs from channel to channel and grows as levels rise. Level 50 is a serious goal for most channels. Our guide to Telegram channel levels and boosts needed explains the logic, and our boost calculator gives an estimate for your channel.
- Collect boosts. Your Premium subscribers can boost the channel, you can run a boost giveaway, or you can use a boost service.
- Turn the ad setting off. Once you reach the threshold, the owner gets an option to switch ads off. It usually sits in the channel's revenue (Monetization) statistics or the channel edit screen, under a name such as "Switch off ads"; the exact location can vary by app version.
- Hold the level. Boosts expire. If the level drops below the threshold, the ability to keep ads off can be affected. We cover expiry in how long Telegram boosts last.
Switching ads off vs sharing ad revenue
This is a real trade-off. Telegram shares 50% of the revenue from ads shown in eligible public channels with their owners. When you switch ads off, ads stop showing in that channel, so the share from those impressions stops too.
| Option | Upside | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Keep ads on | A share of ad revenue with no extra work | Readers see ads you do not control |
| Switch ads off | A clean reading experience that fits your brand, with no risk of a competitor's ad | You lose the ad revenue share and must keep a high level |
Which one makes sense depends on how the channel earns. For a brand that sells its own products, or a channel with paid subscriptions, keeping other companies' ads away from readers may be worth more than the ad share. For a news or entertainment channel that offers free content to a wide audience, the ad share can be an important income line. We collect other options in how to monetize a Telegram channel.
Telegram's content creator terms explicitly forbid inflating impressions with fake or automated activity. Buying views to raise ad revenue can conflict with those rules, so keep that in mind if you take part in revenue sharing.
Common mistakes
- Thinking Premium hides admin posts. It does not. It only removes Telegram's sponsored messages.
- Looking for ads in groups. Telegram does not show sponsored messages in groups. Anything ad-like in your group is a bot or a member's message.
- Treating the threshold as fixed. Level 50 is the default, and Telegram can change it. Always check the current figure on the Boost screen.
- Reaching the level only briefly. Levels can drop when boosts expire. Plan to hold the target, not just touch it once.
- Trusting services that ask for a password. Boosting never requires a password or login code. Stay away from anyone who asks.
The road to level 50
Level 50 arrives step by step, and the levels in between unlock useful features too. According to Telegram's configuration docs, emoji status opens at level 8 and custom wallpaper at level 10. So even if removing ads is a long-term goal, the channel's look and engagement tools improve along the way. We list what each level unlocks in Telegram boost level benefits.
If you want to raise your channel's boosts, you can order from our Telegram boost page with only the channel link and no password. You follow the order status in the panel and can send questions to t.me/nexasupports. We suggest setting a realistic target with the calculator first, then deciding whether giving up ad revenue is worth it for you. If you are curious about the verified badge, see our guide to getting the Telegram blue check.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn off ads on Telegram?
For readers the official route is a Telegram Premium subscription, since sponsored messages are hidden for Premium users. Channel owners can switch ads off for all readers once the channel reaches a high boost level.
What channel level do I need to remove ads?
Telegram’s API configuration docs list level 50 as the default threshold. Telegram can change this value, so check the current threshold on your channel’s Boost screen.
Does Premium hide promo posts made by channel admins?
No. Premium only hides Telegram’s sponsored messages. An admin’s own promotional posts are still visible to Premium users.
Will I lose revenue if I switch off ads?
Yes. Telegram shares 50% of ad revenue with owners of eligible channels; when you switch ads off, impressions in that channel stop and so does the share from them.
Do Telegram groups show ads?
According to Telegram, sponsored messages are not shown in private chats or groups. They appear in large public channels.