Telegram adds checklists and new monetization tools

Telegram is rolling out another round of feature updates this July, continuing its monthly cadence of enhancements. This time, the focus is on improving group functionality and expanding monetization tools for channel creators. However, as with several recent changes, most of the new additions are only available to Telegram Premium subscribers.

One of the standout features introduced this month is the addition of group checklists. Designed to help users coordinate and stay organized, these checklists allow group members to collaboratively manage tasks, plan events, or even keep track of shopping items. Each checklist can include up to 28 individual items, and users can personalize each task with a unique emoji. The feature is accessible through the attachments menu in group chats, one-on-one conversations, and even saved messages. However, only Premium subscribers can interact with the checklist by marking tasks as complete or incomplete. For those without a Premium account, the feature exists more as a read-only view.

The introduction of checklists represents Telegram’s continued investment in productivity tools, aiming to make the app more than just a messaging platform. By allowing users to organize responsibilities within a group, Telegram is positioning itself as a potential alternative to more traditional collaboration platforms.

Beyond group management tools, Telegram is also giving creators new ways to earn money directly from their audiences. A new automated interface now lets users submit suggested posts to channels they follow. These suggestions can be paid for using Telegram Stars or Toncoin, the platform’s in-app currencies. Once a suggestion is submitted, it’s up to the channel admin to accept, reject, or request modifications to the post. If accepted, the contributor’s reward is transferred 24 hours after publication.

This new monetization mechanism empowers content creators to crowdsource ideas while earning revenue, potentially reshaping how Telegram channels operate. It adds an interactive layer to content creation, giving audiences a voice in what gets shared, all while supporting creators financially.

However, this feature, like the checklists, is currently restricted to Telegram Premium users. In the company’s own words, the capability to suggest posts “will initially be available only to Telegram Premium,” hinting at a possible expansion to all users in the future. For now, though, Telegram continues to build value into its paid tier, which already includes perks like voice-to-text conversion, animated emoji packs, story features, and an ad-free experience in channels.

The July 2025 update stands out because nearly all the headline features are exclusive to paying users. While the broader Telegram community still benefits from stability and general improvements, many of the app’s most compelling upgrades are increasingly locked behind a paywall. It reflects a broader strategy by Telegram to grow its revenue through subscriptions rather than relying solely on advertising or investor backing.

In parallel with these updates, Telegram continues to explore partnerships that could bring even more advanced capabilities to the platform. Back in late May, the company announced an intended collaboration with xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, with the goal of integrating Grok AI into the Telegram ecosystem. However, Musk publicly responded to Telegram founder Pavel Durov by stating that “no deal has been signed,” leaving the future of that partnership unclear. As it stands, there is little information about how or when Grok AI might be incorporated, if at all.

Telegram has not shared a timeline for when — or if — the newly introduced Premium-exclusive features might become available to the wider user base. Still, the app’s development trajectory makes it clear that Telegram is steadily building a more robust and versatile platform, appealing to both casual users and power users alike. Whether through organizing daily tasks with group checklists or incentivizing user-generated content in channels, the app continues to evolve beyond its origins as a simple messaging service.

As Telegram navigates this transition toward a more feature-rich and monetized environment, the question remains: will these premium features be compelling enough to drive more users to subscribe? For now, at least, those already paying for Telegram Premium are gaining access to an increasingly exclusive suite of tools.