Pavel Durov, the founder and head of Telegram, pushed back against the idea of lining up Telegram stories with WhatsApp statuses. In a session where messenger users asked questions, he explained why the comparison doesn’t make sense. The clarification appeared on Telegram’s information channel, underscoring a broader point about how this feature is evolving on Telegram.
As previously disclosed, Telegram will allow users without a Premium subscription to publish up to three stories each day. This cap stands in contrast to many other free social networks and WhatsApp, where there are no such strict daily limits. Durov emphasized that these limits are not a permanent fixture but a measured approach to introduce the feature gradually, minimizing strain on servers during the soft launch phase.
He argued that it is unproductive to compare Telegram’s early daily story limits to those of WhatsApp. The goal, he noted, is to ensure a smooth rollout. If server capacity needs adjustment after launch, it is easier to raise limits later than to enforce a sudden reduction that disrupts user experience. This perspective sits at the core of Telegram’s strategy for deploying new capabilities without compromising reliability.
Durov described Telegram stories as a distinct format designed for the home screen experience, not as a separate, browsable tab like WhatsApp stories. With this design, stories become more targeted and potentially more disruptive if left unrestricted. The approach aims to balance visibility with user control, ensuring that the feature remains useful rather than overwhelming for the audience.
During the August milestone, the team marked Telegram’s tenth anniversary by addressing subscribers in the channel. The message also celebrated the broader rollout of stories to all users, a feature that had previously been limited to Telegram Premium subscribers in July. The expansion signals Telegram’s intent to broaden access while maintaining a rollout pace that aligns with infrastructure capacity and user feedback.
Alongside the broader rollout, there was a note about WhatsApp users and Telegram’s own stylistic options. The platform hinted at enhancements that let users share video moments in formats reminiscent of Telegram’s visual language, reinforcing the idea that Telegram continues to explore expressive tools that resonate with its community. This evolving feature set reflects Telegram’s focus on offering quick, expressive ways to share moments without compromising performance or user experience.