<metaproperty="description"content="Bots are small applications that run entirely within the Telegram app. Users interact with bots through flexible interfaces…">
<metaproperty="og:description"content="Bots are small applications that run entirely within the Telegram app. Users interact with bots through flexible interfaces…">
<p>Bots are <strong>small applications</strong> that run entirely within the Telegram app. Users interact with bots through <strong>flexible interfaces</strong> that can support <strong>any kind of task or service</strong>. For more information, see:</p>
<p>The <strong>Telegram Bot Platform</strong> hosts more than <strong>10 million</strong> bots and is <strong>free</strong> for both users and developers.</p>
<p>Telegram bots can host <ahref="/bots/webapps">Mini Apps</a> built with <em>JavaScript</em>. This allows for <strong>infinitely flexible</strong> interfaces that can power everything from online stores to arcade games. Unlike websites, bots support <ahref="/api/url-authorization">seamless authorization</a> and notifications through Telegram out of the box.</p>
<p>Try <ahref="https://t.me/durgerkingbot">@DurgerKingBot</a>– or check out the <ahref="/bots/webapps">dedicated guide to Web Apps</a> to build your own.</p>
<p>Bots can <ahref="/bots/payments">receive payments</a> from more than <strong>200 countries</strong> through more than <strong>20</strong> integrated payment providers (which include support for <em>Apple Pay</em> and <em>Google Pay</em>). These payments are securely processed by the providers and Telegram takes no commission.</p>
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<p>Increase your productivity by creating bots for <strong>specific tasks</strong>– like converting files, managing chats or fetching today’s forecast. Users can chat directly with bots, or add them to groups and channels to introduce extra features.</p>
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<p>Try <ahref="https://t.me/quizbot">@QuizBot</a> to combine several quiz-style polls into a <ahref="https://telegram.org/tour/quizbot">proper quiz</a>.</p>
<h4><aclass="anchor"name="integrate-with-other-services"href="#integrate-with-other-services"><iclass="anchor-icon"></i></a>Integrate with Other Services</h4>
<p>Many popular platforms already have official Telegram bots, which allow users to comfortably access content in one app – or perform quick searches using <ahref="/bots/inline">inline mode</a>.</p>
<p>Using <ahref="/bots/games">HTML5</a>, developers can create immersive single or multi-player games that allow users to <strong>team up</strong> or <strong>compete</strong> for the highest score.</p>
<p>Try <ahref="https://t.me/gamee">@Gamee</a> and <ahref="https://t.me/gamebot">@GameBot</a>– or check out the <ahref="/bots/games">HTML5 Games Manual</a> to build your own. </p>
<h4><aclass="anchor"name="build-social-networks"href="#build-social-networks"><iclass="anchor-icon"></i></a>Build Social Networks</h4>
<p>Bots can serve as an intermediary to connect users based on shared interests, location, and more. Coordinate meetups, show local services, or help people sell second-hand items.</p>
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<p>The possibilities for bots are endless – from simple scripts to complex mini apps. Whether you’re a beginner or professional programmer, you can create personalized tools with the help of the <ahref="/bots/api">Bot Platform</a>.</p>
<p>Telegram bots are special accounts that do not need a phone number to set up. Bots are connected to their owner’s server, which processes inputs and requests from users.</p>
<p>Telegram’s intermediary server handles all encryption and communication with the Telegram API. Developers communicate with this server via an easy HTTPS-interface with a simplified version of the <ahref="/api">Telegram API</a>– known as the <ahref="/bots/api">Bot API</a>.</p>
<h4><aclass="anchor"name="how-are-bots-different-from-users"href="#how-are-bots-different-from-users"><iclass="anchor-icon"></i></a>How Are Bots Different from Users?</h4>
<p>Bots are able to process inputs and requests in ways that user accounts can’t, but there are several differences between a bot and a normal user.</p>
<li>Bots don’t have ‘last seen’ or online statuses – instead they show a ‘bot’ label in the chat.</li>
<li>Bots have limited cloud storage – older messages may be removed by the server shortly after they have been processed.</li>
<li>Bots can't start conversations with users. A user must either add them to a group or send them a message first. People can search for your bot’s username or start a chat via its unique t.me/bot_username link.</li>
<li>By default, bots added to groups <strong>only see relevant messages</strong> in the chat (see <ahref="/bots/features#privacy-mode">Privacy Mode</a>).</li>
<p>Bot usernames normally require a ‘bot’ suffix, but some bots don’t have them – such as <ahref="https://t.me/stickers">@stickers</a>, <ahref="https://t.me/gif">@gif</a>, <ahref="https://t.me/wiki">@wiki</a> or <ahref="https://t.me/bing">@bing</a>. </p>
<p>Anyone can <ahref="https://telegram.org/blog/shareable-folders-custom-wallpapers#bot-links-and-telegram-premium-on-fragment">assign collectible usernames</a> to bots, including those without the 'bot' suffix.</p>
<h3><aclass="anchor"name="how-do-i-create-a-bot"href="#how-do-i-create-a-bot"><iclass="anchor-icon"></i></a>How Do I Create a Bot?</h3>
<p>Creating Telegram bots is super-easy, but you will need at least some skills in <strong>computer programming</strong>. </p>
<p>Creating a bot is streamlined by Telegram’s Bot API, which gives the tools and framework required to integrate your code. To get started, message <ahref="https://t.me/botfather">@BotFather</a> on Telegram to register your bot and receive its authentication token.</p>
<p>Your <strong>bot token</strong> is its unique identifier – store it in a <strong>secure place</strong>, and only share it with people who need direct access to the bot. Everyone who has your token will have <strong>full control</strong> over your bot.</p>
