Post #918

Telegram's "Nearly 0%" Commission on Stars: Smoke and Mirrors? 🤨 Telegram is facing accusations of misleading users about its commission fees for its "Stars" tipping system. While the platform claims creators enjoy "nearly 0% commission," a closer look reveals a different story. Here's the breakdown: The Claim: Telegram boasts "nearly 0% commission" on Star purchases, even highlighting a 30% discount on ads to offset third-party payment fees. The Reality: * App Store/Play Store Purchases: While these platforms take a 30% cut, Telegram *also* charges an additional ~5% commission. * Direct Purchases (APK, Web, Desktop): Telegram charges a hefty commission ranging from ~17% to a whopping 30%! Developer Earnings Tell the Tale: Telegram pays developers a fixed rate of $0.013 USD per Star. Crunching the numbers reveals a stark contrast between user spending and developer earnings, with Telegram pocketing the difference. Example: Buying 100 Stars: * App Stores: User pays $1.99, developer receives $1.30 (65% of user spending). * Directly: User pays $1.69, developer receives $1.30 (a mere 80% of user spending). The Bottom Line: Calling a 5-30% commission "nearly 0%" is misleading at best. This lack of transparency raises concerns about Telegram's monetization practices and fairness towards its creator community.