The short answer
- 1The public posts tab searches posts from all public channels, newest first.
- 2It is a Premium feature; free accounts get a limited number of searches a day.
- 3Search with words the post would contain, and treat results as leads.
In this article
Beyond the channels you follow
Searching from the chat list normally looks through the chats and channel names you already have. The public posts tab widens that to the posts of all public channels. Type a word and posts from channels you have not joined appear, newest first; tapping a result takes you straight to that post in its channel. According to the official announcement it is a Telegram Premium feature, and free accounts get a limited number of searches.
This page covers where to open the tab on each device, choosing words that reach the right post quickly, what the tab searches and how to read the results, and what channel owners should know. Search across your own chats is covered in searching all your chats at once, and reading results critically in searching public posts.
Opening the public posts tab
- Search
- Posts
- Search
- Posts
- Search
- Public Posts
The search field sits above the chat list (on iOS, pull the list down to reveal it). Type a word, choose the posts tab and run the search. On a free account the app says that global search is a Premium feature and shows how many free searches remain today. When they run out, you can pay Stars for one more search or wait for the next free one.
- Posts - the tab for public channel posts
- The search only runs when you tap this button
- The daily count of free searches
Photographed on a Premium test account, where the screen also showed a daily count.
- Posts - pick this tab first, while the search box is still empty
- The search only runs when you click this button
- The daily count of free searches
If you type first, Telegram Desktop shows ordinary results without these tabs; clear the box, pick Posts, then type.
Choosing search words
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Use words the post would contain | Type what the author would have written, not your own category name. A general word returns this week's loudest posts; a specific term, place or model name returns the few posts that really cover it |
| Narrow with two words | One word is too broad. Adding a place or product name cuts the results down sharply |
| Try a hashtag | Where channels group posts under the same hashtag, a hashtag search is more precise; see searching by hashtag |
| Filter to media for originals | Narrowing to posts with video, photos, files or links makes a broad topic concrete, especially when you want the original clip rather than channels describing it; see narrowing search results |
| Change the language | A topic that returns nothing in one language may be covered widely in another |
What the results are, and are not
Only public channels are searched. Private channels, groups and your own chats are not part of this tab. A result is a lead, not a verdict: being recent or appearing first says nothing about whether a post is accurate. Open the channel before you trust or forward what you found.
FAQ
Can I search posts in Telegram channels I have not joined?
Yes. The public posts tab in global search covers posts from all public channels.
Is Telegram public post search free?
It is a Premium feature; free accounts can run a limited number of searches each day.
Does public post search include private groups?
No. Only public channels are searched.
Sources
At a glance
- 1What
Search across public channels you have not joined.
- 2Words
Specific terms, two words, hashtags, media filters.
- 3Read
A result is a lead; check the channel before trusting it.
Updated
