Testing Telegram Ads Creatives: Tips from PropellerAds Experts
Many of our partners, including those who attended the recent Telegram Ads workshop, had one big question: how to test creatives effectively for this new format? Many advertisers found this task tricky – and for a good reason.
Telegram Ads, especially through Mini Apps, is a unique channel with its own logic, audience behavior, and limitations.
That’s why today we are sharing field-tested strategies from our Account Managers and Optimization team to help you navigate creative testing and make your Telegram campaigns shine.
First, a quick refresher: what are Telegram Ads?
Our Telegram Ads format lets you place banner-style ads inside Telegram Mini Apps, reaching a hyper-engaged audience right when they interact with a game, service, or utility.
Key highlights to keep in mind:
- Up to 100 MLN impressions daily
- CTR: 10-30%, CR: 10-20%, Average CPC: $0.06
- Native look inside Telegram Mini Apps
- A gamified and interactive environment with reward mechanics
- Unique traffic you won’t get with official Telegram Ads
Now, when you recall some basics about Telegram Ads, let’s move to our practical advice on testing.
Creative testing strategy: a complete flow
Let’s break down your Telegram Ads creative testing journey into a clear and actionable flow.
1. Start With the Right Number of Creatives
Depending on your setup, you can choose:
Manual Mode:
- Start with 4 creative pairs
- After a few days, add 1-2 new pairs
- Each addition triggers a testing phase and brings a traffic boost
- Max per campaign: 8 pairs
Auto Creatives (ML-supported):
- Use the Auto Creatives toggle to instantly generate 8 creative pairs powered by ML
- Ideal for initial testing – saves time and effort
- After 3-4 days: analyze, disable weak creatives, and create a new campaign with top performers
Hybrid Approach (recommended):
- Combine 4 manual + 4 auto = 8 total pairs
- Offers diversity and performance monitoring
As our Account Manager and Sales Team Lead, Konstantinos Kafkalia,s claims:
“Start with 4 manual creatives, then let Auto Creatives generate another 4. This hybrid approach gives the best of both worlds – control and automation.”
2. Test in phases based on the offer category
Each vertical performs differently. Here are some practical tips from our Optimization team on how to tailor creatives per niche (with examples!):
iGaming:
- Try both: flashy iGaming messages and longer texts
- Add emojis freely (as many as you want, Telegram Ads doesn’t limit the amount)
- Test creatives with and without custom buttons (“Join now” button under your ad)
- Use bright logos and large banners
Example:
So, what do we have here? A large banner, bright visuals, and emoji-rich text make this creative catchy indeed. Visually perfect. What about text?
PARABÉNS! Garanta já o seu bônus de 1000 tokens! TESTE GRÁTIS – CONGRATULATIONS! Grab your bonus of 1000 tokens now! FREE TRIAL
First, extremely important, it’s in Portuguese to match the target audience’s language. Second, it’s clear and precise – the exact bonus is mentioned and a free trial announced, which always looks convincing for the iGaming fans.
Sweepstakes:
- Texts like “This is your chance to win” work well
- Use emojis and prize images
- Big visuals + clear CTAs
Example:
Again, a catchy and pretty large image with a potential prize to grab attention + lively text with emojis that encourages users to try their luck.
Instant tip for Sweepstakes offers: if you are promoting a giveaway, where luck is the main factor, make sure not to give any guarantees of a prize to keep it ethical.
eCommerce:
- Focus on discounts, limited-time offers
- Add emojis and promo codes
- If the offer is limited or/and exclusive, mention that
Example:
This creative also has it all, including the main element – a slight yet convincing statement that the offer is limited, so that users would be more motivated to take action.
Quick tip: Also, here you can see a customized button “Claim coupon”. For your creative test, try both with and without it.
Games:
- Use hot game invites, attractive characters, and trending titles (if relevant to your offer)
- Gamified language and emoji-rich copy
Another example that follows all of our recommendations and focuses on lively tone and bright images. The main one features an attractive game character, so that all fans could not resist clicking.
3. Don’t underestimate the tools for competitor analysis
Even though Telegram is a relatively new channel in the advertising world, there are already some useful features for competitor analysis that would inspire and help see what’s trending now. Here is a list for you:
TelegramAds.com
TelegramAds.com might be one of the best solutions for everyone new to Telegram advertising. It’s simple, still has a pretty wide functionality, namely – numerous filters (search by languages, GEOs, dates, and more, as well as by text and URLs).
The best thing – it’s free!
Adstat.pro
Adstat allows you to search for ads in Telegram by text, headline, URL, channel names, and keywords. Currently, their search lacks precision, and if you are looking for something very specific, it might be a challenge. Another drawback – it’s paid ($500 to start).
Smart Use of Auto Creatives
Auto Creatives are your best friend for fast testing and creative scaling. When it comes to this feature, Konstantinos says:
“Auto Creatives? YES, big yes. We are updating the algorithm around it, and Auto Creatives of top performance are added. Some of our best-performing campaigns come from Auto Creatives. We recommend using them as a quick testing tool, then iterate.”
Here’s how to fit them into your strategy:
- Activate them for a quick start: 8 pairs generated automatically
- Use them as a benchmark against your manual creatives
- Disable underperformers and clone your campaign using top-performers
- Ideal for both beginners and advanced users looking to save time
Examples of our Auto Creatives:
Tips From Our Optimization Team
Some advanced advice from our internal pros:
Traffic volumes: Telegram is popular in certain GEOs (CIS countries, Indonesia, LATAM) right now, but since the audience is pretty engaged there, they react to ads actively. For the best results, you need the right targeting and competitive budget.
Best performing verticals: iGaming, Finance, Sweepstakes.
Use bright visuals, emojis, and bold headlines.
Conclusion: test smart and iterate fast
Testing creatives for Telegram Ads isn’t just about random A/B trials. With the right structure, tools like Auto Creatives, and vertical-specific insights, you can scale your campaigns efficiently and get ahead of competitors.
Your action plan:
- Choose your testing mode (manual, auto, hybrid)
- Disable poor creatives and build campaigns around your winners
- Use Auto Creatives as a fast-track lab
- Apply vertical-specific creative hacks explained above
Telegram Ads is booming – make sure your creatives do, too!
Join our Telegram for more insights and share your ideas with fellow-affiliates!
