Telegram verification is a critical step for projects in TON ecosystem that have gained traction and are ready to establish their credibility, protect their users, and signal authenticity via the official Telegram blue checkmark.

This comprehensive guide outlines the full process for getting verified on Telegram, including eligibility criteria, best practices, and how TON Foundation supports your application.

Why Get Verified?

The blue checkmark on Telegram provides several important benefits for your project:

• Increase trust with users, partners and investors

• Prevent impersonation and scams that can harm your community

• Strengthen your brand visibility in the competitive crypto space

• Join a growing network of verified TON ecosystem players

Understanding Verification Flows & Eligibility

Generally speaking, there are two flows available to receive a verification mark on Telegram.

1. Standard Verification (Telegram)

This is Telegram's own verification flow through @VerifyBot. Any project can apply through this method, regardless of which blockchain they use.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Two verified social profiles (Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, VK, etc.)

• Two credible media-mention links about your project from reputable outlets

2. Accelerated Verification (TON Foundation)

TON Foundation is laser-focused on security and trust in TON's ecosystem, which is why we offer a fast lane of verification for standout projects. Our team pre-screens your application, bundles evidence, and liaises with Telegram moderators to speed things up.

Important Note: Internal approval from TON Foundation does not guarantee Telegram will grant the checkmark. The final decision is always theirs. Our approval simply means the project meets every criterion and we'll advocate on your behalf.

Enhanced Eligibility Requirements:

1. Compliance with Telegram Verification Guidelines and request through @VerifyBot (see standard verification process above)

2. Clear use of TON and contribution to the ecosystem

3. 1M+ total users in the bot (proofs from analytics services required)

4. Strong motivation for verification (large user base, scam cases, etc)

5. Integration of Telegram Mini Apps SDK. The SDK turns your Telegram Mini App into a source of valuable data. With this tool, you get instant access to key metrics that help you understand how users interact with your app. It supports off-chain events and on-chain events from TON Connect SDK.

6. Decent UX/UI with compliance to Android and/or Apple design guidelines

7. Availability of Privacy Policy in the bot and in the Telegram mini app in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines (proof required)

Special Requirements for Telegram Channels: To verify your Telegram channel, it must have over 100K real subscribers and have a clear relation to a bot that fully complies with the above-mentioned criteria.

Ready to Apply? If you meet all these criteria, you're ready to apply. Otherwise, we recommend you focus on growing your presence and fulfilling these prerequisites before proceeding.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you begin, double-check that your bot or channel satisfies every eligibility criterion. Submissions that miss even one item will be declined (this is true for both verification flows).

Step 1: Make a Standard Request via @VerifyBot

Start your application using the official Telegram bot. The bot will ask you for the name of your bot and 2 important proofs:

1. Two verified social profiles (Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, VK, etc.)

2. Two credible media-mention links about your project

Tips for a Successful Application

These are the pitfalls that most often delay or derail verification. Follow every point and you'll save yourself days of back-and-forth.

Before Starting:

• Meet every eligibility criterion first - This cannot be emphasized enough

• Follow the bot prompts to the letter - VerifyBot is strict and may stop without warning if a step is skipped

When Providing Social Profiles:

• Provide at least two verified company profiles - No personal or unverified accounts

• If you want to mention your verified X account, use twitter.com/… URLs (not x.com) - the bot will ignore x.com links

When Submitting Media Links:

• Paste all media-mention URLs in a single message - Splitting them into separate messages can cause silent rejection

• Check every link twice - Broken or redirecting links are an instant red flag

Name and Branding Considerations:

• Confirm naming uniqueness - If another project already uses the same or a confusingly similar name (e.g., multiple "Yescoin" bots), Telegram may freeze the request until ownership is clear

• Respect trademarks & personas - Using a famous brand or public figure's name (e.g., "Elon Musk Empire") without explicit rights is grounds for rejection

Critical Final Step:

• Screenshot proof that the bot accepted your application - it will be useful for the accelerated process if you want to apply for it

Important: If you do not receive the confirmation message, your VerifyBot submission is not complete. You should revisit previous steps in this case.

What Happens Next

Sit tight while the Telegram moderation team reviews your submission. There's no fixed timeline, and all decisions are at their discretion. If moderators need additional details, they'll message you through @VerifyBot.

If approved, you'll get an in-app notification that reads: "Congratulations! @handle is now verified on Telegram". The blue checkmark will appear automatically on your bot or channel. Please note that they don't normally communicate the outcome of a rejected request.

If you'd like to speed things up and your project is built on TON, continue to Step 2 for our accelerated verification program.

Step 2: Request Accelerated Verification via TON Builders Portal

After the bot step succeeds, fill out TON Builders Portal form so that our team can track and support your case. Make sure your bot or channel already satisfies every single eligibility criterion.

Fill every field in the application forms thoroughly (especially Motivation for verification) and attach all requested screenshots. Incomplete applications are automatically rejected.

Field-by-Field Application Guide

Here's what you need to know about each section of the application form:

Basic Information Fields:

Telegram bot or channel handle (@) - Provide your Telegram handle which starts with @. For example: @duckmyduck_bot. Any other format will be rejected.

Screenshot of @VerifyBot's confirmation message - You need a clear screenshot of the confirmation message you received from VerifyBot. Missing or low-resolution images will result in rejection.

Social Media and Press Coverage:

Links to 2 verified profiles on other social media platforms - Provide links to two verified profiles. Good examples include twitter.com/SwapJet & youtube.com/@SwapJet. Unverified or personal accounts will be rejected.

Links to 2 articles written by international media - You need at least 2 articles from top-tier news outlets like CoinDesk, The Block, or Cointelegraph. Your own blog posts or press releases will be rejected.

Technical Integration Details:

How does your app utilize or relate to TON blockchain? - Be precise about TON components and flows. A good example: "Payments via TON Wallet; Jetton/NFT for loyalty; Smart contracts of X are on TON". Vague responses like "Planning to use TON later" will be rejected.

User Metrics and Proof:

Number of total users and TON on-chain users (if bot) or followers (if channel) - Provide actual numbers that you can back up with proof.

Proof of declared user traction - Include screenshots from Google Analytics or alternative platforms and on-chain data. For example: "1.2 M MAU, $3.4 M on-chain volume" with screenshots from analytics tools. "Fast-growing community" without proofs will be rejected.

Verification Motivation:

Motivation for Telegram verification - This is one of the most important fields. Provide a clear and detailed reason with anti-phishing, legal, or large user base concerns. Numbers and links as proofs are expected.

Good example: "400+ scam clones impersonate us with example links; users lose funds; we are the largest memecoin launchpad on TON with $X in monthly volume"

Generic responses like "Brand awareness" will be rejected.

Technical Compliance:

Name that you indicated in the DataChief bot for SDK integration - Go to https://t.me/DataChief_bot and provide the bot name. Paste the exact short name you set in BotFather when you registered your bot. If the SDK is only "planned" or the field is left blank, you'll be rejected.

Proof of your privacy policy's availability - Provide screenshots showing where your privacy policy is placed within your bot and Mini App. No screenshot will result in rejection.

How did you learn about this form? - Mention the particular resource through which you learned about the program. Examples: TON East Asia Hub, name of a particular person, was exploring TON Builders Portal, read about it in an article.

Additional Tips for Successful Accelerated Applications

These are the pitfalls that most often delay or derail verification. Follow every point and you'll save yourself days of back-and-forth. Keep this guidance open while you apply and you'll avoid 90% of common errors.

Preparation:

• Meet every eligibility criterion first - We review each item line-by-line; partial applications are declined

• Explain exactly how you use TON - Confirm the Mini Apps SDK integration, on-chain flows, and why TON is essential to your product

Writing Your Motivation:

• State a clear, concrete motivation for verification - Give a real reason the blue check is critical now

Strong Examples:

• "Thousands of phishing clones are impersonating us (with proof links); users lose funds daily"

• "We're launching on a regulated exchange and need official status for compliance"

• "Our 1M-user airdrop requires an authenticated bot to prevent fraud"

Generic lines like "brand awareness" or "marketing" will be rejected.

Documentation:

• Upload proof screenshots - VerifyBot confirmation, social badges, media links. Low-resolution images can't be audited

What Happens After You Submit

Here's the timeline and process for accelerated verification:

1. "Request received" notification - You will receive a message from TON ID bot confirming your application

2. Review - Our team checks your answers, screenshots and on-chain metrics and usually gets back with a decision within 7 working days

3. If we need more info - We will DM you from @TONEcosupport asking for extra details. There is no need to reach out yourself

4. Final moderation by Telegram - Telegram's moderators make the ultimate decision. Our internal approval does not guarantee that you'll be verified; it only accelerates their review

5. Decision:

   • Approved: You'll see a blue checkmark on your bot or channel and a message from @VerifyBot: "Congratulations - your channel is now verified"

   • Declined: If no checkmark appears after approximately 14 days, your request was likely rejected

Reminder: Please note that our internal approval confirms your project meets the program's eligibility criteria and qualifies for accelerated verification, meaning we will do our best to support the process. However, the final decision rests solely with the Telegram moderation team. If you have not received a verification mark within 14 days, your application has most likely been declined.

Quick Recap

To summarize the entire process:

1. Meet every eligibility rule for your chosen verification path

2. Submit flawlessly via @VerifyBot and get the confirmation message

3. For faster verification, complete TON Builders Portal form with detailed answers and screenshots

4. Watch for a TON ID bot notification or feedback from @TONEcosupport

5. Wait for the blue mark to appear on your bot/channel

Useful Resources

Here are all the important links you'll need throughout the verification process:

• Standard Verification Flow via @VerifyBot

• Accelerated Verification Program on TON Builders Portal

• Telegram Mini Apps SDK Documentation

• DataChief Bot for SDK Integration

• Android Design Guidelines

• Apple Design Guidelines

• App Store Review Guidelines

Getting verified on Telegram is a significant milestone for any TON project. While the process requires attention to detail and meeting strict criteria, the credibility and protection it provides for your users makes it well worth the effort.