Durov, Pavel, bestows a $52.5 worth toy upon his partner, Yulia Вавилова
Telegram Introduces "Profile Rating" for Enhanced Trust and Transparency
In a recent update, popular messaging app Telegram has introduced a new feature called "Profile Rating". This numeric badge on user profiles reflects a user's trust level, based on their transaction history using Telegram Stars, a virtual currency used for payments within the app.
The rating increases with successful purchases or funding and decreases if Stars are refunded or gifts are converted back. This feature aims to build greater trust and transparency around paid interactions on Telegram, potentially encouraging more user engagement in paid content and transactions.
The rating helps channel owners and users identify reliable and trustworthy users on the platform. It is computed from the total number of successful transactions involving Telegram Stars. This feature complements other new enhancements like Global Post Search, Story Albums, and a new mini app for bot management introduced in Telegram version 11.14.0 and above.
Profile Ratings, combined with upcoming digital collectibles and Premium Gifts, support the growth of a more vibrant in-app economy and social commerce ecosystem.
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has emphasized that Telegram respects its users' rights. In a notable event, Durov gifted a limited edition Plush Pepe toy worth approximately 4.2 million rubles to Yulia Vavilova, as a celebration of their 25 years together.
It's worth mentioning that a unique username on Telegram was sold for $25 million (around 2 billion rubles). However, Telegram has not provided information about potential restrictions for users with low ratings. There is a risk of rating decrease when exchanging gifts for stars on Telegram.
Telegram was launched in 2013 as a free messenger with extensive functionality. The app has continued to evolve, introducing features that foster a safer environment for paid social interactions, and signalling a push towards monetization features that rely on trust signals linked to user transaction histories.
Celebrities could leverage the new Profile Rating feature on Telegram to boost their credibility and trustworthiness among fans. This could potentially lead to increased engagements in paid celebrity-endorsed content or interactions within the app.
The presence of Profile Ratings on user profiles might also spark interest among entertainment enthusiasts, as they could use this feature to identify reliable sources for purchasing digital collectibles or Premium Gifts available within the app.
