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Telegram launches Instagram-like stories feature for premium users

While Telegram’s Stories may look similar to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and WhatsApp at first sight, the app offers granular privacy options and more control compared to other platforms.

Telegram was testing the feature last month. (File Photo)

Last month, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced that the app developers were testing an Instagram-like Stories feature with granular privacy controls. Recently, the feature went live but is currently limited to Premium subscribers.

Similar to how Stories work on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and WhatsApp, Telegram users can share images and videos which will disappear after a set amount of time. In addition to images and videos, you can also add links and captions as well as tag other people on the platform and comment on react on other people’s Stories.

They appear on the top of the screen in a bar like Instagram, but unlike the Meta-owned platform, it won’t take up too much screen space. Telegram Stories carried over a feature from its ‘Video Messages’ feature, allowing you to add and post photos taken by the front and rear cameras simultaneously.

Compared to most platforms which automatically remove Stories after 24 hours, Premium subscribers can choose between 4 options – 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours.

Moreover, the app also lets you create lists with different contacts so you can choose which Stories will be visible to your selected contacts. Users can also choose to hide Stories from one or more people. This can be done by adding them to the ‘Hidden’ lists in the ‘Contacts’ section.

While everyone can view Telegram Stories, only Premium subscribers can post a story right now. It is still unclear if the feature will be available to free users, but since Stories are free on most 0platforms, Telegram might make it available in the near future.