Is buying Telegram members worth it for small businesses

Jonas JonkerJonas Jonker
3 min read

Overall: No — it’s generally not worth it. While the idea of boosting member counts may seem appealing, the pitfalls and risks often outweigh the benefits.


Major Risks & Drawbacks

1. Low Engagement & Poor Return on Investment

2. They Often Disappear Quickly

  • Telegram regularly purges fake members. A sudden spike may reverse just as fast—sometimes within days. AppsGeyserDrTelegram

  • This creates misleading analytics and wasted spend.

3. Reputation Risks & Regulatory Exposure

  • Inauthentic follower counts can damage your brand’s trustworthiness—especially harmful for small businesses relying on credibility. AppsGeyserInvastor

  • In the U.S., the FTC recently cracked down on brands that deceive consumers by buying fake followers—even if no ad was run. Business Insider

4. Scams Are Common

  • Many vendors on Telegram are outright scams. People report losing money or even having their accounts banned. For example:

    “I paid via BTC … and he blocked me …” Reddit
    “Telegram is the easiest place to get scammed …” Reddit
    Another user described losing money and even access to their Telegram account after a vendor banished them. Reddit

5. Fake Engagement, Real Risks

  • Academic studies show that purchased accounts foster fraudulent activity—bot farms, manipulated engagement, even future scams. arXiv+1

What About Buying “Real” Members from Reputable Providers?

Some sellers claim they deliver genuine human users and that buying members helps gain organic growth. But these claims are often dubious.

  • Even real users might not be interested in your content or may disappear soon. instaboost.geStartup.info

  • Without meaningful engagement, the increased numbers mean little.

  • Worst case: sudden growth triggers platform moderation or damages trust.


Better Alternatives for Sustainable Growth

Here’s how to build a meaningful Telegram presence—without buying fake members:

1. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content

2. Use Telegram’s Official Ads

  • Telegram offers sponsored messaging—targeted, effective, and transparent. Invastor

3. Collaborate with Influencers or Other Channels

  • Partner with groups or influencers whose audience aligns with yours. Organic mentions and cross-promotions work. Invastor

Summary Table

StrategyBenefitsDrawbacks
Buying Fake MembersQuick member boostNo engagement, removal by Telegram, FTC risk, scams
Buying Claimed “Real” MembersPerceived legitimacy boostStill low engagement, ethical/brand trust issues
Organic Growth StrategiesGenuine engagement, sustainable growthRequires time and consistent content
Telegram Ads & CollabsTargeted real users, brand alignmentPaid but more effective and transparent

Bottom Line for Small Businesses:
Buying Telegram members may offer a superficial boost—but it’s fraught with risks: low engagement, potential bans, scams, regulatory issues, and long-term damage to your brand. Instead, invest your time and money in building real audiences through great content, strategic collaborations, and authentic marketing efforts.

If you're interested, I’d be happy to help brainstorm content ideas or explore promotion strategies that make sense for your business.

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Written by

Jonas Jonker
Jonas Jonker