You can use HilltopAds to advertise Telegram channels and bots. This approach is usually used for:
Increasing the number of subscribers
Driving traffic to Telegram communities
Testing new GEOs and audiences
Scaling Telegram projects using paid traffic
Step 1: Register as an Advertiser
Create an advertiser account on HilltopAds and log in to the platform.
Step 2: Create a New Campaign
After logging in, create a new advertising campaign in the Manage Campaigns section.
For Telegram promotion, Popunder is the recommended and most commonly used ad format, as it works well for driving direct traffic to external links, including Telegram.
Use the following settings as a starting point:
Setting | Recommended configuration |
Ad format | Mobile Popunder |
Destination URL |
|
Bidding model | CPM or CPA Goal |
Traffic channels | High + Medium Activity |
Devices | Mobile |
Operating systems | Android and iOS separately |
Frequency capping | 1 impression per 24 hours (1/24) |
Daily test budget | $50–150 per GEO |
Total test budget | $300–400 per GEO |
Tip: Check that your Telegram link opens correctly on the devices and browsers you want to target.
Step 3. Choose Your Bidding Model
HilltopAds supports two approaches for Telegram promotion:
CPM: Pay per 1,000 impressions. Recommended when you don't have conversion tracking configured.
CPA Goal: Optimize your campaign toward a target conversion cost. Requires conversion tracking via Postback.
If you're promoting a Telegram channel, a conversion could be a new subscriber. For a bot, it could be a bot start or another completed action.
Important: Clicking a Telegram link does not necessarily mean the user subscribed or started the bot.
Step 4: Add Your Telegram Link
Use the direct link to your Telegram channel or bot as the final URL in the campaign.
Examples:
Telegram channel:
https://t.me/yourchannelTelegram bot:
https://t.me/yourbot
Make sure the link is publicly accessible, your channel/bot is active and functional, and the content complies with HilltopAds policies.
Step 5: Set Up Targeting
Choose targeting options based on your audience and goals, such as:
GEO: Choose countries where your target audience is located.
OS: Create separate campaigns for Android and iOS.
Browsers: Start with all browsers, or test Chrome for Android and Safari/Chrome for iOS.
Language: Match the language of your Telegram channel or bot.
Proxy and WebView: Test these traffic types separately.
Connection type: Compare mobile connections and Wi-Fi if needed.
You can refer to our detailed step-by-step guide on how to create a campaign. Proper targeting helps attract users who are more likely to join and engage with your Telegram channel or bot.
Optional: Enable Telegram-Specific Targeting
HilltopAds offers a separate Telegram-related traffic segment.
To enable it, contact your personal manager. This setting must be activated manually.
We recommend running two separate campaigns:
Telegram-specific traffic: Target users from Telegram-related traffic sources.
Broad traffic: Reach users from general traffic sources.
Compare the cost per subscriber or bot start to determine which approach performs better.
Step 6: Set Frequency Capping
Start with 1/24: one ad impression per user every 24 hours.
After collecting enough performance data, test 1/12 (one impression every 12 hours).
Compare conversion costs to determine whether increased ad frequency improves your results.
Step 7. Set Your Testing Budget
Recommended starting budgets:
Budget | Amount |
Minimum daily budget | $50 per GEO |
Typical daily budget | $100 per GEO |
Higher daily test budget | $100–150 per GEO |
Total test budget | $300–400 per GEO |
If you create separate Android and iOS campaigns, divide your planned GEO budget between them.
Step 8. Configure Auto-Optimization
Use auto-optimization rules to stop spending on zones that don't generate conversions.
Recommended rule:
Condition: A zone spends 2–2.5 times your target CPA and generates zero conversions.
Action: Add the zone to the blacklist.
Example: If your target CPA is $2, you can blacklist a zone after it spends $4–5 without generating a conversion.
Make sure your conversion tracking accounts for delayed subscriptions or bot starts before applying strict rules.
Step 9. Track and Optimize Results
For accurate campaign optimization, configure conversion tracking with a tracker and Postback.
Track actions such as:
New Telegram channel subscriptions
Telegram bot starts
Completed bot onboarding steps
A direct Telegram link does not automatically report these actions to HilltopAds. Your tracking setup must connect the completed Telegram action to the advertising click.
If you cannot track these actions, use CPM bidding and evaluate your audience growth and engagement separately.
After collecting enough data, compare results by GEO, operating system, browser, traffic channel, and zone. Adjust your targeting and bids based on the performance.
Optimization Tips
Use clear and relevant channel descriptions or pinned messages in Telegram
Match GEO and language targeting with your Telegram content
Start with test budgets before scaling
Track performance using Telegram analytics or third-party tools
Important Disclaimer
Traffic purchased from HilltopAds cannot be resold or redirected back to HilltopAds.
This means:
You may not send traffic bought from HilltopAds to HilltopAds ads, offers, or monetization products
We do not accept traffic that was previously purchased from HilltopAds
Any attempt to recycle HilltopAds traffic back into the platform is strictly prohibited.
If you have questions about campaign setup or allowed use cases, contact your HilltopAds personal manager for assistance.
Need Help?
Your HilltopAds personal manager can help you enable Telegram-specific targeting and choose suitable campaign settings. You can also explore our Postback setup guides to learn more about conversion tracking.