Explore groups in your area and start chatting without the need to exchange phone numbers is a reality in the Telegram App. If you are interested in knowing how to create geolocated groups in Telegram to have contacts near you, then keep reading this step by step guide.
In the middle of the year 2019, Telegram launched its version 5.8, which introduced quite a versatile function. Now it is possible to add people close to your location, to your contact list.
The version also brought with it the function of create local Telegram groups and join them. All this through the geolocation tool.
What are Telegram Geolocated groups and how do they differ from normal groups?
The function of ‘People nearby’ opens the doors to users of Telegram to meet new friends in your surroundings. However, you probably still have doubts about what are geolocated Telegram groups and how do they differ from normal groups. You should know that the main difference between close groups and normal groups is geographic location.
In Telegram, you can quickly join in any normal group no matter where it was created. For example, you can reside in Latin America and be part of a group in Spain. In the case of nearby groups, only those that are 12 or 13 kilometers away from your location will appear. In other words, that is its radius of action. As its name implies, the search engine will only return results that are close to you.
Another striking difference between the two groups is the quantity that the user can create. One person can create unlimited normal groups. Nevertheless, for local groups, only five can be created per account. Normal groups can be private or public, as required by the owner of the same. On the other hand, local groups will always be public. This is to allow uninvited people to join.
Finally, it is necessary to emphasize that you should not misrepresent your location with nearby groups. If your prefix code is +34 (the one corresponding to Spain) You will only be able to create geolocated groups in that country. Take into consideration that Telegram’s servers record your last location. Therefore, if you try to spoof your location, you can be temporarily blocked from the platform.
What are the main characteristics of Geolocated Telegram groups?
Through the tool ‘People nearby’ you have the option to quickly add anyone, as long as you have your location active and visible. Nevertheless, What are the main characteristics of the geolocated Telegram groups? As mentioned above, local groups behave exactly like a normal group. They can support up to 200,000 members, you have the option to send written messages, images, videos, voice notes, documents in any format and more.
However, there are certain very subtle differences that characterize geolocated groups. These are:
- The Telegram users only They are allowed to create five geolocated groups per account.
- You can only find and join those groups that are at one distance of 12 to 13 kilometers.
- Whether the group has an alias or not, it will always be public.
- Geolocated groups They can only be created in the same country as the prefix code of the phone number of your device.
Learn step by step how to create Geolocated Telegram Groups from any device
Create a group linked to a geographic location it’s as simple as create a normal group. All you have to do is enable location on your device, and then follow the steps explained below.
Now, learn step by step how to create geolocated Telegram groups from any device, quickly and easily:
On Android
The Android users have the possibility of incorporating groups close to your Telegram environment.
You must follow these steps:
- Open the app of Telegram.
- Click on the three bars icon
- Press the button ‘People nearby’.
- Next you must activate location services of your device to use this tool. To do this, press ‘Activate’ Y grant the permissions
- Then, in the section of ‘Groups nearby’, click on ‘Create a nearby group’.
- Click on ‘Start group’.
- To finish, enter a name for the group and a profile picture.
- Finally, click on the icon ‘Clever’ to create the group.
On iOS
Of course, the ‘People Nearby’ tool is also available on devices iPhone.
To start creating a nearby group, follow these steps:
- Open the App from Telegram.
- Click on the tab ‘Contacts’.
- Press the button ‘Find people nearby’.
- Press ‘Allow access’ to activate the location services of the device that the tool requires to function.
- In the section of ‘Groups nearby’, click on ‘Create a local group’.
- Proceed to enter a name for the group and add a profile photo. When you finish, the group will have been created successfully.
On PC and MacOS
Telegram it is a versatile and multiplatform application. However, not all versions are capable of doing what others do. In the case of desktop applications for PC and MacOS, together with the Telegram web version, do not have access to the ‘People Nearby’ service offered by the App for mobile devices.
Advantages of creating groups for local companies and having a customer database close to them
Use nearby groups to promote your company’s services and products it is an opportunity that not many know about or take advantage of.
Next, we mention the advantages of creating groups for local companies and having a customer database close to them:
Greater recognition
It is likely that many people in your area do not know your company, nor the products or services you offer. Having a local group on Telegram allows you to get to know your neighbors, and also with potential clients that are near you.
Direct communication
You can use the close group function to share information of interest to members. Promotions, offers, special hours, new products and services, among other things. You can also use the space as a customer service environment if you want to. People who join the local group of your company will be able to receive relevant information that motivates them to participate with the community, or give your business a chance.
Personalized advertising
Having a local group will quickly provides a database. You will have at your disposal the contacts of people interested in your company. The best part is that they can hide your phone number, so they don’t share private information. However, the visible data will allow you to have a clearer idea of your audience and their needs.
You get the lead
Staying in touch with your audience not only helps you when it comes to finding potential customers near the area. It also gives you an important advantage over those other companies that do not have Telegram to make yourself known. Not being integrated into messaging platforms keeps them indirectly tied to word of mouth recommendations. Therefore, if your company has a local group, you are more likely to be found.
Multitude of formats
In Telegram you can send text and multimedia messages quickly and easily. You can use this to your advantage to give a small taste of the potential of your local business. Use the images with the intention of promoting your products, or the videos to advertise your services. You can send links to collect surveys, or share specific information through audios.