telegram_bot_vs_userbot

Telegram Bot vs Userbot: Custom Emoji and Media Group Limits

Overview

This document explains the differences between Telegram Bot API and userbot (MTProto API) approaches, particularly for custom emoji support and media group caption limits.

Telegram Bot API (Standard Approach)

What It Is

  • Official Telegram Bot API
  • Uses bot token from @BotFather
  • HTTP-based API

Limitations

Custom Emoji

  • Requirement: Bot must purchase Fragment username AND connect it to the bot
  • Cost:
    • Fragment username: ~$12 USD (one-time)
    • Connection fee: 1,000 TON (~$2,000 USD) ⚠️
  • Conclusion: Not economically viable for most use cases

Media Group Captions

  • Limit: 1,024 characters maximum
  • Cannot be increased

Syntax for Custom Emoji (Bot API)

When bot has Fragment username connected:

<tg-emoji emoji-id="5368324170671202286">👍</tg-emoji>

Official Documentation:

Userbot Approach (MTProto API)

What It Is

  • Operates as a regular Telegram user account
  • Uses MTProto API (not Bot API)
  • Requires phone number authentication

Advantages

Custom Emoji

  • Requirement: Account must have Telegram Premium subscription
  • Cost: ~$5 USD/month (Telegram Premium)
  • Conclusion: Much more affordable than Bot API approach

Media Group Captions

  • Standard account: 1,024 characters
  • Premium account: 2,048 characters ✅

Implementation

  • Go Library: github.com/gotd/td - official MTProto implementation
  • Authentication: Phone number + SMS code (one-time), then session-based
  • API: Different from Bot API - uses MTProto protocol
  • Telegram discourages automation for spam/mass messaging
  • Acceptable use cases: Publishing own content to own channels
  • Unacceptable: Mass spam, aggressive automation
  • Always respect rate limits and Telegram's terms of service

For trip2g Service

Option 1: Standard Bot (Default)

  • Client creates bot via @BotFather
  • No custom emoji support
  • Media group captions limited to 1,024 characters
  • Cost: Free

Option 2: Premium Userbot (Optional)

  • Client connects their own Telegram account with Premium subscription
  • Custom emoji support ✅
  • Media group captions up to 2,048 characters ✅
  • Cost: ~$5 USD/month (client pays directly to Telegram)

Implementation Approach

  1. Default: Use Bot API for standard publishing
  2. Premium Feature: Allow clients to optionally connect their Premium account via userbot
  3. Client Responsibility: Each client manages their own Premium subscription if they need these features

Custom Emoji ID Extraction Tool

cmd/emojibot

A simple utility bot to help clients get custom emoji IDs for use in Obsidian notes.

How it works:

  1. User sends message with custom emoji to the bot
  2. Bot extracts custom_emoji_id from message entities
  3. Bot returns markdown code: ![emoji](tg://emoji?id=5368324170671202286)

Dependencies: None (uses standard library only)

Usage:

export TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN="your_bot_token"
go run cmd/emojibot/main.go

See cmd/emojibot/README.md for details.

Markdown Syntax for Custom Emoji

In Obsidian notes, use this syntax:

![emoji](tg://emoji?id=5368324170671202286)

When publishing:

  • Via Bot API (with Fragment): Converts to <tg-emoji> HTML tag
  • Via Userbot (with Premium): Uses native custom emoji entities

Cost Comparison

Approach One-time Cost Monthly Cost Custom Emoji Media 2048 chars
Standard Bot $0 $0 ❌ ❌
Bot + Fragment ~$2,012 $0 ✅ ❌
Userbot + Premium $0 ~$5 ✅ ✅

Winner: Userbot with Premium subscription

Technical Notes

Bot API Message Entities

type MessageEntity struct {
    Type          string `json:"type"`           // "custom_emoji"
    Offset        int    `json:"offset"`
    Length        int    `json:"length"`
    CustomEmojiID string `json:"custom_emoji_id"` // The ID we need
}

MTProto Implementation (Future)

When implementing userbot support:

  1. Use gotd/td library
  2. Authenticate with phone number
  3. Store session for reuse
  4. Implement rate limiting to avoid Telegram restrictions
  5. Handle Premium status check before using Premium features

References