New format
Telegram links: profile, channel, chat, and invite
In Telegram, almost everything is a link: a public `@username`, a `t.me/…` URL, or a one-time or permanent invite to a private space. Get the format wrong and people never reach the channel or support chat.
Below: links to a profile, channel, and chat, how invites differ from public URLs, and how to hyperlink text in a message. For a messenger overview and launching a channel, see the related posts.
Public links: username and t.me
Set a unique username in settings. The public channel or profile address is `https://t.me/username`. In messages you can write `@username` — the client makes it clickable.
Pick a free, readable username: brand beats a random string. Renaming breaks old bookmarks, so change it rarely.
Checklist:
- username matches on the site and business card
- link opens on phone and desktop
- no typos in print or QR
- URL case usually doesn’t matter, but copy it from the client
Profile link
A personal profile with a username shares the same way via `t.me/…`. If the username is hidden or unset, people add you from a chat, by number (if allowed), or via a contact card.
For business support, use a separate account, bot, or chat — not the founder’s personal profile.
Practical tips:
- in the site footer — t.me to the channel or bot
- in email signatures — a short https link
- don’t publish a personal number more than you need to
Channel: public URL and invite
Public channel: `t.me/channelname`. Private: create an invite link in channel management. You can limit it by time and user count.
For landings and ads you almost always want a stable public address. Save invites for closed communities and tests.
Before you announce:
- description and avatar ready
- 3–5 posts ready
- link points to that exact channel
- UTM on the site if you track clicks
Chats and groups
Groups can also have a username or be invite-only. Channel discussion groups often get a separate “chat” link next to the channel.
Don’t mix up channel and chat links in ads: people should land where they expect content or conversation.
Label creatives clearly:
- “channel” vs “support chat”
- rules in the pinned message
- anti-spam bot if needed
Hyperlink in text and sharing
In a message, select a word → Link / Create link → paste the URL. The post looks cleaner than a wall of `https://…`.
In channel posts, link the site, other posts, and docs. Keep anchor text honest — no clickbait “here” pointing at phishing.
Message checklist:
- one main link
- link preview looks right (site Open Graph)
- a mobile tap hits the target
Opening URLs and typical mistakes
From the site and email, use `https://t.me/…`. From another messenger, same format. Bot deep-link parameters (`t.me/bot?start=…`) are a separate funnel topic.
Common mistakes: expired invite, username change with no redirect, link to a draft or wrong chat, QR with broken encoding.
Before a campaign:
- click the link on iOS and Android
- check invite limits
- lock the URL in a shared table
- don’t copy from lookalike fake channels
FAQ
How does t.me differ from @username?
Two ways to write the same public address. In a browser, `https://t.me/name` is convenient; in chat, `@name` is usually enough.
How do I grant access to a private channel?
Use an invite link from channel settings — not a public username if the channel doesn’t have one.
Where do I get a profile link?
If a username is set, use `t.me/username`. Without one, share a contact from the app or ask people to find you in a chat.
Can I turn a word into a link?
Yes: desktop and mobile clients let you turn selected text into a link. Useful when you want a site URL without showing a long string.
Is an invite always permanent?
No. You can cap join counts and set an expiry. For lasting showcases, prefer a public username plus moderation.
Can I link to a specific post?
Public channels use URLs like `t.me/channel/123`. Private channels use the client’s own post-share flows.
Will t.me open without the app?
In a browser you’ll get the web version or a prompt to open the app. On a website, prefer a full https link.
How is this different from the channel article?
That one covers launch and content. This one is only link formats and sharing.
Ads send people to an expired invite — and support chats get the wrong room?
We’ll lock one canonical t.me in the brand kit — public vs invite labeled clearly.
Discuss the task
