Telegram’s user base in Russia reached about 85 million monthly users, according to an analysis of Internet traffic on the MTS network for the fourth quarter of 2023 cited by Forbes. This figure marks a roughly 10% year-over-year increase compared with the same period in 2022, highlighting Telegram’s growing footprint alongside other popular platforms in the country.
Among Telegram users, activity patterns show strong engagement: about 70% of viewers log in more than 25 times per month, while around 8% sign in 15 to 25 times monthly. Peak usage tends to occur between noon and 2 PM, a window when many Russians check messages, updates, and channels as part of their daily routines. Such behavior underscores Telegram’s role not just as a messaging tool but as a hub for information sharing and community interaction during the day.
Even with Telegram’s growth in 2023, it remains the second most active Internet service in Russia by audience size. WhatsApp maintains the top spot, although its monthly-user base declined year over year in the fourth quarter. The MTS data did not disclose absolute figures for WhatsApp, leaving room for speculation about shifts in platform preference that could reflect changes in user needs, privacy considerations, or regulations affecting communications apps.
The broader landscape of Meta-owned services also showed notable declines in usage in 2023. Instagram saw a substantial drop in user numbers, while Facebook experienced an even more pronounced decline, reflecting ongoing regulatory and public sentiment dynamics that influence how Russians access social media and online communities. These shifts illuminate how government stances and platform policies can shape consumer choices and digital behavior across major social networks.
In the context of Telegram and its competitors, the conversation around pricing, accessibility, and features continues to evolve. Public discourse, including comments from prominent figures in the tech space, often highlights the practical value of messaging apps for daily communication, business coordination, and information dissemination. Observers note that the appeal of Telegram in Russia extends beyond straightforward messaging to include channel updates, automation bots, and a sense of reliability that appeals to users navigating a rapidly changing digital environment.
As Telegram’s footprint grows, analysts monitor not only user counts but also patterns of usage, content distribution, and platform governance that affect long-term adoption. The balance between openness, privacy, and regulatory compliance remains a central topic for policymakers, developers, and users as they assess how such apps fit into the broader ecosystem of online communication in Russia and neighboring markets.
Overall, the 2023 data illustrate a shifting but stable presence for Telegram within a competitive landscape. The service’s ability to retain a large and active audience while others experience larger declines offers a window into how messaging platforms adapt to local conditions, consumer preferences, and regulatory realities. As the market continues to evolve, stakeholders will closely watch how these dynamics influence future growth, user trust, and the strategic choices of technology providers operating in the region.
Note: The discussion on service usage reflects regional analysis and publicly reported metrics through late 2023. Figures may have changed since then due to ongoing policy developments, market competition, and shifts in consumer behavior.