A recent survey reveals Telegram’s rising prominence in Russia as a mass media channel. The study, conducted by Mediacom.Expert in collaboration with Surveyolog.ru and shared with editors, sheds light on how people perceive and use the platform today.
The data show that almost half of respondents view Telegram primarily as a messaging tool, while just over half regard it as a full-fledged social network. In parallel, a large share—about two-thirds—regularly turn to Telegram for video content. Among video watchers, roughly one in seven engage daily, another one in seven weekly, and the majority habitually view videos on Telegram on an occasional basis.
When asked to name the messenger of the year, a clear majority selected Telegram. WhatsApp trailed well behind, with a sizable gap, and Viber registered a tiny share. This pattern highlights Telegram’s distinctive position in the Russian messaging landscape compared to other popular apps.
The survey also captured how audiences source their news. A majority reported getting 2023 news from social networks, with TV and independent online news sites close behind. Information from various sources remains a key part of how Russians stay informed, alongside radio for a smaller segment of the population.
Chatbots are another notable trend. A substantial majority of respondents had interacted with chatbots in the past year, and most of those users found the experience convenient. A minority felt chatbots were not convenient, signaling mixed sentiment but broad exposure to automated assistants in daily life.
The fieldwork for the study was conducted over a ten-day period from late November to early December 2023, with a sizable sample of working Russians participating. The results illuminate Telegram’s increasingly central role in everyday communication, entertainment, and information consumption within the country.
As Russia continues to develop its digital media ecosystem, Telegram stands out as a platform that blends messaging, social networking, and media distribution. The findings reflect evolving user preferences and underscore Telegram’s footprint in the broader Russian internet landscape, while also inviting comparisons with how similar platforms function in other regions. The survey reinforces the idea that Telegram is not merely a messaging app but a versatile medium shaping how people access content, interact with brands, and stay informed in a rapidly changing digital world.
In the larger context of global social media trends, these results contribute to an evolving understanding of how audiences balance traditional channels with new formats. Observers note that the platform’s mix of private chats, public channels, and multimedia features creates a unique environment for information sharing and community building. This dynamic prompts marketers, educators, and media outlets to rethink engagement strategies in regions where Telegram is both widely used and trusted by a broad user base. The evolving landscape also raises questions about platform governance, data privacy, and the role of automated tools in everyday communication, which researchers intend to track in upcoming studies.
Overall, the study paints a picture of a digital culture in which Telegram functions as a multifaceted hub. It is where daily conversations, video content, and the diffusion of news intersect, illustrating a trend that may influence how media brands approach content strategy, audience development, and user experience in Russia and beyond. The results invite continued observation of Telegram’s trajectory as a mainstream source of information and a central channel for social interaction in an increasingly connected world.