Telegram Bot Directory Requirements: Submission Checklist

Submitting your bot to a directory should be simple, but missing a requirement can delay approval or lead to rejection. Use this Telegram bot directory requirements checklist to make sure your submission is complete, accurate, and ready for review.

Telegrammy lists more than 1,000 bots, and every listing is reviewed to keep the directory trustworthy for users. Meeting the standards below helps us approve your bot faster and present it accurately to the community.

Pre-Submission Quick-Scan Checklist

Before you start the submission form, confirm the following:

Your bot responds to /start and core commands without errors.
The @username is active and publicly accessible in Telegram.
You have a concise description (50–200 characters) that explains what the bot does.
You have a valid contact email for our review team.
The bot contains no spam flows, scams, or illegal content.
You know which category best fits your bot.

If every item above is green, you are ready to read the full standards and submit.

Required Information

We need a few specific fields to create a consistent, useful listing. Incomplete or inaccurate information is one of the most common reasons for delays.

Bot Name and @Username

Provide the exact bot name as it appears in Telegram.
Include the live @username (for example, @YourBot). It must be publicly searchable and must not be a group or channel handle.

Description and Category

Write a clear, human-readable description of what your bot does. Good descriptions are specific: “Track daily habits and set recurring reminders” is better than “A helpful bot.”
Pick the category that matches your bot’s primary use case. See the category selection tips below for guidance.

Contact Email and Optional Website URL

Supply a working email address we can use if the review team has questions.
A website or support-link is optional but recommended. If provided, the link must resolve and should offer extra context such as documentation, privacy policy, or support contact.

Ownership Verification

Before we publish a listing, we confirm that you actually control the bot. This protects the directory from impersonation and ensures only legitimate developers can manage a listing.

Token Validation

You will be asked to provide your bot token during submission. We call the Telegram Bot API getMe method to confirm the token is valid and that the returned @username matches the bot you are submitting.
Tokens are used only for validation and are never stored or shared.

@Username Cross-Check

The @username returned by the API must match the @username provided in your submission profile. Mismatches will pause review until ownership is clarified.

In-Chat Confirmation (Optional)

For extra verification, our system may send a short confirmation message or command to your bot. Responding with the provided code proves you have active access to the bot’s messages.

Privacy Policy and Metadata

Supplying a valid privacy-policy URL and accurate metadata (bot name, description, and website) does not replace token validation, but it significantly speeds review and builds user trust.
Incomplete or missing metadata may trigger additional verification steps or delay approval.

Bot Quality Standards

We only list functional, safe, and actively maintained bots. Submissions that fail any of the following checks will be rejected or returned for fixes.

Functional /start and Uptime

The bot must respond to /start when a new user opens it.
Core features and commands should work as described. A broken bot creates a poor experience for directory visitors.

No Spam or Unsolicited Messaging

The bot must not send unsolicited promotional messages, mass-add users, or use deceptive prompts to drive engagement.

Active Maintenance and Security

Your bot should show evidence of ongoing maintenance: recent updates, working webhooks or long-polling, and timely bug fixes.
If your bot uses webhooks, verify that it runs over HTTPS and handles updates securely.

Working Public Profile

The bot profile should be publicly accessible in Telegram search. Private, deleted, or deleted-and-recreated handles will not be accepted.

Content and Conduct Guidelines

All listings must follow Telegram’s official policies and our directory values.

Prohibited Content

We do not list bots that host or promote adult content, illegal goods or services, gambling without proper licensing, or regulated substances.
Bots may not distribute malware, phishing links, or impersonation assets.

Honest and Accurate Descriptions

Describe your bot truthfully. Do not claim features it does not have, misrepresent performance, or use another brand’s name or likeness without permission.

Telegram Terms of Service Compliance

You must comply with the Telegram Bot Platform Developer Terms of Service, which require a privacy policy, prohibit harassment and spam, and mandate responsible data handling. Telegrammy is not affiliated with Telegram, and we expect every developer to uphold these obligations.

Category Selection Tips

Choosing the right category affects how easily users discover your bot.

Choosing the Best-Fit Category

Select one primary category; multiple categories are not supported. Review the directory’s existing categories and select the one that matches your bot’s single most common use case.
If your bot does many things, pick the category that represents the first experience a new user will have.

Why Miscategorization Hurts Discoverability

A bot filed under “Games” that is actually a finance tracker will confuse users and increase uninstall rates. Incorrect categories may be corrected by our team during review, but repeated miscategorization can slow approval.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Knowing why submissions fail is the fastest way to pass review on the first attempt.

Broken Bots and Missing Contact Info

Rejection: The bot does not respond to /start or core commands, or the supplied email bounces.
Fix: Test your bot in a fresh Telegram account before submitting. Use a monitored email address.

Vague Descriptions and Spam History

Rejection: The description is a single generic sentence, or the bot has been reported for spam.
Fix: Write a specific description that covers the main features and audience. If your bot previously had spam complaints, resolve the behavior and provide a short explanation in the submission notes if requested.

Terms of Service Violations

Rejection: The bot violates Telegram’s ToS, lacks a privacy policy where required, or hosts disallowed content.
Fix: Audit your bot against the Telegram Bot Platform Developer Terms of Service and publish a privacy policy before submitting.

After You Submit

Once you send your submission, it enters our review queue.

Typical review timing: Most bots are reviewed within a few business days. The exact time depends on current queue depth and whether additional verification is needed.
Status updates: You will receive email notifications at the address you provided when the status changes—such as when your bot is approved, held for edits, or rejected. You can also check your dashboard for the current review status.
What to do next: Monitor the email you provided, including spam and promotions folders. For detailed timeline questions, see our submission timeline FAQ.

Ready to Submit?

If your bot meets every item in this checklist, go to the main bot submission guide to start the free submission process. It only takes a few minutes. If you have questions about review timing, visit our submission timeline FAQ.