Telegram is a communication platform that was founded on the principle of granting its users a greater level of privacy and control over their data compared to other common solutions. Today, it’s gone from obscure to a household name that many communities use, notably for crypto, trading, entrepreneurship, gamers, and fan clubs.

Joining a group or community on Telegram can tap you into a network that can level up your life or introduce you to valuable connections that have the potential to become collaborators, friends, or sources of information.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to find communities on Telegram, whether they’re groups or channels, and show you exactly how you can join them.

What’s the difference between a Telegram group and a Telegram channel?

Telegram group vs channel

Before we dive into how to find and join Telegram communities, let’s break down the difference between the two main types: a group and a channel. 

  • A Telegram group is interactive, allowing each member to discuss in a chat with different organized topics or threads similar to Discord. 
  • A Telegram channel, on the other hand, is simply a one-way broadcast by the person who created it. It’s similar to an email newsletter, and while members can’t open discussion with each other or reply inside of a Telegram channel, they can reach the channel administrator via direct message through the platform.

Groups on Telegram are a great way to connect, collaborate, and learn as most of them are focused on a specific topic and attract like-minded members, often under the guidance of a topical expert.

Channels on Telegram are best for getting announcements, updates, or unique insights, and they’re often used to advertise related products or groups both on and off of Telegram. 

How to find Telegram groups

Since a growing number of people are joining Telegram, more groups are being created, so it’s important to know how and where to find them.

Here are the most common ways to find groups on Telegram:

Search the web

One of the most straightforward methods to finding a Telegram group is to simply Google “best Telegram group for (desired topic)” or “Telegram group link for (your interest)”.

This should bring up either listicles or exact groups for whatever topic you’re looking for, however, this method of searching could lead to outdated or inactive groups in addition to invalid links.

Forums or online directories 

To avoid any duds or dead ends that come about from broadly searching the web, you can check online forums such as the /r/Telegram subreddit or online directories telegramchannels.me.

Directories in particular are helpful as you can get a quick glance at the topic, the number of members, and the region before you join. 

In order to join a Telegram group, you’ll need a link (t.me/[groupname]) to join. Once you click the link, you will be able to join once you follow any further instructions or steps necessary if any to successfully become a member of the group. If you’re getting a direct link, make sure to get it straight from the source.

Through Telegram channels

Telegram channels are sometimes a preview of a group that might be paid to use, so you can also find an invite link to a Telegram group inside of a channel.

Just look out for an announcement or a pinned message inside a Telegram channel that includes an official group link.

How to find Telegram channels

Finding Telegram channels

The process of finding Telegram channels is quite similar to that of finding groups. Here are some of the most reliable methods to do so:

Social media

Many social media influencers are using Telegram channels as a way to broadcast messages to their audiences inside a more intimate and private setting. So, you can often find a link to a channel in their social media bio.

The benefit of joining links through social media is that you’re sure to get the right since you’re getting it straight from the creator.

Searching in Telegram

Telegram has a built-in search function that allows you to find public groups using keywords, and it’s more efficient than searching the web as you don’t have to worry about getting an invalid link.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, simply input your desired topic in their search bar, choose Channel in the search bar, and Telegram will show the top groups globally.

Inputting the channel’s @name

Using the search bar on Telegram inside of the mobile or web app, you can use the channel’s @name to find where to get direct access. This can be more efficient than looking for a link, especially if you have the app already downloaded.

How to join the Telegram group or channel

Once you’ve found your desired community on Telegram, joining is a straightforward process that varies slightly depending on your device:

Joining a Telegram group or channel

On Desktop

  1. Open the Telegram desktop app or web version (web.telegram.org)
  2. Click the group link or paste it into the search bar
  3. Review the group description and member count to ensure it matches
  4. Click “Join Group” to enter
  5. Complete the captcha or Safeguard if prompted

On iOs

  1. Download Telegram from the App Store
  2. Open Telegram app
  3. Utilize the Search bar if browsing for groups and select your desired group
  4. If using a direct link, click it and make sure to open it in the app
  5. Preview group information
  6. Click “Join” to enter
  7. Complete any verification process if necessary

On Android

  1. Download Telegram from the Google Play store
  2. Open the Telegram app
  3. Use the search bar, input the group name, and select the group you want to join
  4. Direct links to the group need to be opened in the app
  5. Preview the group or channel
  6. Click “Join” to enter
  7. Follow any further instructions regarding verification or captcha if prompted

Joining a paid or private Telegram group

The above process only works for public groups or channels. Even if you have the link to a private channel or group, you won’t be allowed to join unless you make a request that is approved. Sometimes, private channels are invite only, and may or may not require payment to enter.

With paid groups, you’ll be granted access upon making payment. Make sure that if you’re paying to join a group, you thoroughly vet the community before joining, and make sure you have a point of contact for support or questions in case of any issues.

How do I know if a Telegram group or channel is right for me?

Before diving in and joining a Telegram community, whether it’s a group or channel, it’s important to do your best to vet it.

Here are some key factors to consider before joining:

  • Creator reputation: One of the most important steps for due diligence before entering a Telegram community of any kind is to vet the creator as much as you can, searching for public opinions outside of their account. Look for specific reviews of the community if you can find them in addition to what others think about the creator.
  • Link source: If you got the link through a private message or if you were just randomly added by a stranger, you might be in a copycat group that was made by bad actors who might scam you. Make sure you’re getting a link straight from a verified source, and avoid any unsolicited links or invites as they’re almost always not legitimate.
  • Content quality: After you join a Telegram community, scroll through the past content to check that the quality is what you expected. These communities should be sources for actionable information, networking, and helpful insights, and if it feels too much like random noise or even bot activity, consider joining a different group or channel.
  • Activity level: Look how frequently messages are posted, how often and how quickly questions or concerns are replied to, and how many members seem to be actively participating. The overall member count and number of members currently online also give you an idea of how active a group might be.
  • Admin presence: Every well-maintained community has at least one administrator. For larger communities with over 1000 members, there should be 2 or 3 members with administrative capabilities. Admins should not only be active and participating, but they should also take swift action to ban bad actors or those that don’t comply with group rules.
  • Guidelines: When joining a group on Telegram, there should be clear guidelines that are often pinned or given upon joining the group. Just about every legitimate group has some sort of anti-bot protection when joining such as Safeguard or a captcha that you’ll need to complete to verify you’re human. This is a green flag as well as bots can be a big problem, especially in public Telegram groups.

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FAQs

How do I mute a Telegram channel or group?

Sometimes notifications can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve joined a large group. Thankfully, muting is possible with just a few clicks. In order to mute a Telegram channel or group:

  • Open the channel or group
  • Click the group name
  • Click the “mute” bell on the left
  • Choose how long you want to mute (forever or for a specified period)

Where are the best places to find a Telegram community?

Finding a Telegram community is best done through word of mouth, personal referral, or a link that you get straight from the source. The most common quality sources for finding a Telegram community is on a forum like Reddit or on social media where you can find the official link to a creator’s community in their bio if they offer one.

Joining a Telegram group or channel with just a link or an @ is possible as long as the channel is public. If the community is paid or private, you won’t be able to get access to the group unless you pay or are approved.

Do I need permission to post inside of a Telegram group or channel?

You will always need permission to post inside of a Telegram group. Most groups will grant permission to all members, but your rights to post are often within a set of guidelines that may be revoked. Some Telegram groups have certain threads inside that you might not be allowed to post inside, for example, if they’re admin-only announcements. You can’t post inside a Telegram channel as they are one-way broadcasts from the creator.