Overview
TelegramBot is Telegram's server-side crawler that fetches link previews for URLs shared in chats, groups, and channels. When someone sends a link, Telegram's servers fetch the page's OG tags and generate a preview with an image, title, and description.
Telegram stands out from other messaging platforms with its Instant View feature — a stripped-down article reader that lets users read content without leaving the app. While Instant View requires separate configuration, the basic link preview relies on standard OG tags.
The crawler identifies itself with a user-agent string similar to Twitterbot. It runs server-side, so the preview is generated once and shared consistently across all clients viewing the message.
User-Agent String
Telegram Bot identifies itself with the following user-agent string:
TelegramBot (like TwitterBot)How Telegram Bot Handles OG Images
Telegram reads standard OG tags for link previews. Its previews display large images prominently, making it a great platform for visual content.
Meta Tags Read
og:imageog:titleog:descriptionog:urlog:site_name| Preferred Size | 1200 × 630 |
| Minimum Size | No strict minimum |
| Max File Size | 5 MB |
| Cache Duration | Variable, several hours to days |
Caching Behavior
Moderate caching. You can force a refresh by sending the URL to @webpagebot on Telegram — it will re-fetch the metadata and update the preview for future shares.
Fallback Behavior
Without og:image, Telegram attempts to use the first suitable image on the page. If no image is found, a text-only preview with the title and domain is shown.
Things to Know
- Telegram displays link previews with large, prominent images — more visual real estate than most messaging apps.
- The @webpagebot on Telegram can be used to refresh cached previews — send it your URL and it will re-crawl the page.
- Telegram supports Instant View for article-style content, which requires a separate template configuration through Telegram's Instant View platform.
- Link previews in channels are more prominent than in regular chats, with larger image display.
robots.txt
Generally respects robots.txt. Blocking TelegramBot will prevent link previews from being generated for URLs shared on Telegram.
User-agent: TelegramBot
Allow: /How to Test
Test by sending links in a Telegram chat. To refresh cached previews, send the URL to @webpagebot — Telegram's built-in bot for re-crawling link metadata.
- Use @webpagebot to force Telegram to refresh a cached preview after updating your OG tags.
- Test in a private chat or with Saved Messages (your personal chat) to avoid sharing test links publicly.
- Channel previews display images larger than group chats — test both if your content targets channels.
You can also use the MyOG OG Preview tool to check how your OG tags are configured before testing with Telegram Bot.
FAQ
What is TelegramBot?
TelegramBot is Telegram's web crawler that fetches Open Graph meta tags from URLs to generate link previews in chats, groups, and channels. It produces previews with large images, titles, and descriptions.
How do I refresh a Telegram link preview?
Send your URL to @webpagebot on Telegram. This bot forces Telegram to re-crawl the page and update the cached preview. Future shares of that URL will show the updated preview.
What is Telegram Instant View?
Instant View is a Telegram feature that lets users read articles directly inside the app without opening a browser. It requires a separate template configured through Telegram's Instant View platform — it's not controlled by OG tags. Basic link previews, however, work with standard OG tags.
Related Bots
Test Your OG Images
Check how your Open Graph images appear to bots and crawlers. Preview your link cards before sharing.
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