Telegram bots help to make the groups more interactive and interesting. You can also use bots to search and retrieve information from all sorts of sources without ever leaving the chat. Just use the @botname command to summon the bot. Sure, it does sound like mentioning someone. Let’s take a quick look at how to add bots and use them in Telegram.
How to Add Bots and How to Use Them
Telegram defines bots as Telegram accounts that are run by software. They were designed to search, remind, broadcast, and even give commands. You can interact with these bots using specific commands. You may have seen or interacted with bots on other platforms like Discord and Facebook Messenger. There are two types of bots in Telegram. One that operates inline means you can use them right inside Telegram groups without leaving the chat window or going back. The other kind of bots requires you to interact with them in a separate chat window, more like how you chat with a user one-on-one. We will be sharing inline bots only and mention them clearly if otherwise. Some bots are designed to help admins manage groups. These bots need to be added to a Telegram group before you can interact with them, but they work in line. So, how do you add a bot then? There is no need to add inline bots, but some may work differently than others. You can summon them by typing @botname. For example, @vid will invoke the YouTube bot inside a group. You can then search for videos using keywords like ‘@vid keyword’ in the text box. Adding a bot to a group is easy enough. Step 1: Just search for the bot using the Telegram search feature. Type the name of the bot correctly, as there can be duplicates looking to spam you. Step 2: Tap on the name of the bot and then from the three-dot menu icon, select ‘Add to group’ option. Step 3: Select the group where you want to add the bot to and you are done. Let’s look at some useful Telegram bots to spice up conversations and manage the groups well.
1. @GIF
The GIFs make the Telegram conversations more fun, and you don’t even have to leave the chat window to search for the appropriate ones. Tenor has made a Telegram group bot called @gif that you could summon quickly anytime. Enter the bot name and do a quick search using keywords. Everyone loves cat GIFs, so here are some for you. Surprisingly, the search results loaded pretty fast, and we experienced no lags whatsoever while using the GIF bot.
2. @combot
This is the Telegram group bot that will help you manage your group effectively. You have to add it to a group first. It offers a suite of tools for managing large communities. You can fight spam, auto-delete unwanted content or messages, collect and share interesting stats, and even help user engagement by leveling up users to contribute to the group. They have regional pricing, but it will cost you $6 per month after 200 members in the US.
3. @spotybot
Because we love listening to songs on Spotify, everyone in the group can search for songs or artists right inside a Telegram group. It returns with a 30-second audio clip to help you feel your mood with a link to the full song on Spotify. Also shares a link to the original cover art which is pretty cool.
4. @drwebbot
Many members use Telegram groups to share files of all sorts like images, GIFs, and sometimes even documents. Depends on the purpose of the group too. It’s easy to share files riddled with viruses, even unknowingly. @drwebbot will scan files and links automatically once set up, so you don’t have to. Again, you are required to add this bot to the group before it can work its magic in the background. This will protect your group members from clicking on suspicious links.
5. @skeddybot
Skeddy is a reminder bot that will help you set reminders in natural language. You can use it as your own personal reminder system but also inside a group (needs to be added separately). Let’s say you have a travel group and are planning a trip. Each member can be assigned a task that he/she needs to do and reminded of. There are other ways to use this Telegram bot like reminders for upcoming events maybe.
6. @vote
Can’t decide what to wear or where to go? Create a quick poll and have everyone vote on the options using the @vote bot. You can also allow participants to select multiple answers if that’s what the circumstances dictate. Voting can be done anonymously if the question is rather controversial in nature. That is an easy and fun way to express opinions without fear of being judged.
7. @vid
Want to share a YouTube video? The video bot will help you find videos on the fly inside the group chat window. Selecting the video from the list will share it instantly in the group with a link to the YouTube app and a large preview. You will notice @drwebbot scanning the link for a virus but failed due to lack of access to contents in the screenshot above. I am guessing because this is a YouTube link.
8. @gamebot
As the name suggests, you will be able to choose between a couple of classic games like Lumberjack using this bot. Just choose a game and then add it to the group to play with friends in real-time. The games are designed to be lightweight because Telegram does have it’s limitations, and you can’t expect to have the same experience as on a dedicated mobile gaming app.
9. @storebot
Telegram has a store for bots that you can search. Consider it the mother of all bots to help you dip your feet in the water. That means you can find and discover other bots and let people enjoy it without complicating things. You can search for other bots using this one and open them in a separate chat to learn more about using them.
Building Bots of Life
There are so many other bots for Telegram groups and you can continue exploring them. These are some of the best and will get you started in no time. A healthy variety of Telegram group bots to manage members effectively while keeping things interesting and fun at the same time. Did we miss a bot? Do share a list of your favorite bots in the comments below that you use in groups.
