A step-by-step guide to finding and joining telegram groups or channels

Telegram, with 900 million monthly active users, is one of the most downloaded apps in the world. Groups and channels are some of the most popular features of Telegram. The messaging platform celebrated its 10th anniversary last year in August.  

Telegram groups are a community platform where a huge number of members, up to 2,00,000, can join and message, share content, and participate in discussions. Conversely, Telegram channels facilitate the one-way dissemination of information to a vast audience. Only channel admins can post messages, while subscribed members can receive updates in their feeds. There is no limit on the number of subscribers. 

Steps to find and join Telegram groups and channels

Here are a couple of ways to find and join Telegram groups and channels: 

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In app-search: 

1. Open the Telegram app on your phone or access its web version using the https://web.telegram.org/URL. 

2. On the app, tap the search icon, or on the web version, click on the search bar. 

3. Enter the keywords related to your interests (for example, “tech news”). 

4. The search results will include both groups and channels. Tap or click on Show More to see a larger list of groups and channels. If a listing shows the number of members, then it is a group, while if it shows subscribers, it is a channel. To see a larger number of groups in the search, add “chat” to the keyword. 

5. Once you open a group or channel, you can tap or click on the Join button. 

External websites:

There are a couple of specialised search engines for finding Telegram groups and channels. For example, https://tlgrm.eu/channels not only allows users to search telegram channels, but it also classifies channels into different categories. 

Social Media:

You can use social media channels like X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram to search for Telegram groups and channels. On such platforms, search for hashtags related to your interests, as people often share links there. 

Joining private groups and channels on Telegram: 

Private groups and channels do not appear in Telegram’s search results. You can only join a group or channel if you have an invitation link. Group administrators or existing members often share these links. 

Once you have the link, you can click on it, and it will open Telegram. To become part of the community, simply tap Join or Click. 

Things to keep in mind before joining a Telegram group or channel

Before you tap “Join,” you can take your time to see the group or channel descriptions and scroll through recent messages. This will allow you to learn a lot about it, including how active it is and whether its contents align with your interests. 

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If a group or channel is too active, you may get a lot of notifications, which can be distracting. Therefore, you can adjust the notification settings to avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

Things to keep in mind after joining a Telegram group or channel

Once you have joined a Telegram group or channel, you need to be careful about the following things: 

1. Do not spam the group by sending irrelevant posts, posting the same message or links repeatedly, tagging everyone unnecessarily, or doing promotions that do not align with the group’s rules.

2. Do not respond to direct messages from a group you do not know, especially those offering get-rich programs or dubious schemes. Perform a fact-check before clicking or forwarding links.

3. Do not share your personal information in groups or channels. You may want to consider whether others can see your profile picture. In addition, you can use privacy settings to modify your last seen and online status information.

4. Do not download files shared in the groups or channels, as they can contain viruses or malware. If you have to download it, make sure to scan it using antivirus software before opening it.

5. You may leave a Telegram group or channel if you find its content consistently appropriate. You can also report to the group or channel administrator, or directly to Telegram.

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Remember, Telegram offers a vast world of communities and information, but it is crucial to stay vigilant. Prioritise your online safety and well-being. You’ll have a positive and enjoyable Telegram experience if you are cautious about what you share, and the content you interact with, and respect group and channel guidelines.