The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, announced that starting August 14, the ability to publish stories free of charge in the messenger will be rolled out gradually. He shared this update in his official communications channel and through Telegram’s newsroom coverage, signaling a new phase in the app’s evolution.
According to Durov, today marks the initial step in a broader rollout that will extend this feature to all users over time. The aim is to broaden user expression within Telegram by providing a familiar, story-style format that aligns with how many people share ephemeral updates across social platforms.
Looking back, the July update restricted the feature to Telegram Premium subscribers only. Other users could still view and comment on stories published by Premium users, fostering engagement while Premium stood as the gateway for creators to publish more widely. This staged approach was described as a way to test demand and refine the product before a wider launch.
In related traffic trends, Telegram emerged as one of the top three most-visited services on the Beeline network in Russia for July 2023. The platform trailed only behind YouTube and VK, according to operator-level data. Since the start of the year, Telegram’s traffic has grown steadily on the Beeline network. The introduction of the Stories format appears to have coincided with increased usage, though analysts note that it is difficult to attribute the spike solely to Stories, as overall information consumption plays a significant role in what users do online.
Additionally, a separate industry report noted shifts in other tech offerings, including changes at Microsoft related to free games. This underscores a broader environment where streaming, messaging, and media services continue to evolve with new value propositions for users and brands alike.
For Telegram users in North America and around the world, the gradual rollout means more people will be able to express fleeting moments directly within chats and channels. The feature is expected to integrate with existing profile content and notification settings, making stories a seamless extension of daily communication. As the rollout progresses, Telegram will likely refine features such as visibility controls, audience targeting, and insights to help creators understand engagement patterns. The company’s ongoing communications emphasize user experience, privacy, and performance as core priorities while expanding content formats that fit modern messaging habits.
In summary, Telegram’s move to open Stories to a broader audience reflects a strategic shift toward richer, more interactive storytelling within the app. The phased release aims to balance user interest, platform stability, and creator monetization potential, with ongoing updates anticipated as the product matures. Marketers, creators, and casual users alike can anticipate a familiar format that is designed to fit naturally into Telegram’s ecosystem and everyday conversations with friends, family, and communities.