Telegram adds post search, profile rankings, and exclusive features for premium users

Telegram has just rolled out a fresh update packed with new features designed to enhance user experience for both regular users and those subscribed to Telegram Premium. The update introduces a revamped public post search system, tools for organizing stories into albums, customizable gift collections, user profile ratings, and improvements for bot and mini app management.

One of the most notable additions is the new search functionality. Telegram now includes a dedicated "Posts" tab that allows users to search through content published in public channels. This makes it significantly easier to locate information across a wide range of sources within the platform. However, this feature is only accessible to Telegram Premium subscribers, adding to the list of exclusive tools available behind the paywall.

Another Premium-exclusive feature is the introduction of story albums. Users can now group their stories into themed collections — whether it's for sharing memes, documenting travel experiences, or showcasing curated content. For businesses, this function offers the potential to present product galleries or organize promotional material in playlist-style formats, providing a more structured and appealing way to engage with followers.

In the same vein of personalization, Telegram has enhanced the way digital gifts are handled. With the new update, users can now organize received gifts into customized collections, based on categories like theme or rarity. A single gift can be part of multiple collections, and filters make browsing easier. Additionally, Telegram has introduced a new type of gift available exclusively to Premium users. These gifts come with purchase limits and, according to the company, often sell out within minutes of becoming available — a sign of their popularity among users.

Telegram Premium subscribers are also getting a new way to showcase their in-app activity. A new profile ranking system gives users a numerical score based on how many successful transactions they've made using Telegram Stars, the platform’s virtual currency. This feature appears to be a subtle nod to gamification, encouraging more interaction with Telegram’s monetized ecosystem.

For developers and advanced users, the update brings a welcome improvement to bot management. The BotFather, Telegram’s long-time tool for creating and maintaining bots, is now available as a mini app. Through this updated interface, users can more easily create bots, modify settings, change icons, update descriptions, and handle various other customization tasks — all within a more user-friendly environment.

These new features are part of Telegram’s ongoing effort to build a more dynamic, customizable, and monetizable messaging platform. While many of the changes cater to Premium subscribers, the direction reflects Telegram’s broader strategy to balance user growth with sustainable revenue generation.

The update is now rolling out across all supported devices and operating systems. For a detailed breakdown of what's new, users can visit Telegram’s official website, where the company regularly posts updates and user guides.