Technology Desk: Messaging app Telegram is no longer planning to be limited to just chat, groups and channels. The company is planning to take its platform towards digital publishing and website creation. Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has said that the company has applied for the .gram top-level domain.
If this application is approved, Telegram users could get a personal web address associated with their Telegram username in the future. Along with this, the company is also working on an AI feature with the help of which the user will be able to create his website by just giving a text prompt.
Website address can be made from username
Currently every user has a username on Telegram. After the company's proposed .gram domain, this username can be changed into the website address. For example, if a user's Telegram username is Anil, then his possible future web address could be anil.gram. This will mean that Telegram users will not need to purchase a separate domain to create a website. His Telegram account and web address will be linked to each other.
The entire website will be prepared with the help of AI
Telegram does not want to be limited to just bringing new domains. The company is also working on AI based website building feature. In this feature, the user will not need to learn coding or have knowledge of web development to create a website. The user will be able to tell AI in simple language what kind of website he wants.
For example, a user can write to the AI that he wants a website for his business, with a home page, product information, photos, and a contact section. AI will help in creating the website based on that instruction. Telegram's plan also includes handling the hosting and security of the website through its platform.
How will .gram domain be different from .com and .in?
Normally when a person registers a domain like .com or .in, they have the option to manage that domain and in some cases transfer it to another registrar.
- Telegram's .gram domain will be different from this.
- The .gram domain will remain under the control of Telegram.
- The user's web address will be linked to his Telegram account.
- It cannot be transferred to any other domain registrar.
- There will be a possibility of getting a personal web address based on the username.
- That means, there is a plan to make .gram a part of the entire digital ecosystem of Telegram.
Why did Telegram take this step?
Telegram's existing link system t.me recently faced a major technical problem. Due to a ban, t.me links did not work for about 19 hours. After this incident, the company intensified work towards further strengthening its domain infrastructure. The plan for a new .gram domain is also being considered as part of this strategy. The company wants to minimize disruption to its critical web addresses and services from external systems.
Application has been given to ICANN
ICANN oversees the process of assigning domains and top-level domains on the Internet. Telegram has applied to ICANN for the proposed .gram domain. ICANN will release the list of applications that came under this process by the end of October. After this the application will be reviewed and further process will be done.
If Telegram's application is approved, it will also take time to fully launch the .gram domain. According to available information, the entire process may take around 12 to 18 months. In such a situation, users can get this facility around the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028.
More than 1 billion users will be affected
Telegram has more than 1 billion users. In such a situation, if .gram domain and AI website builder is implemented on a large scale, then a large number of users can get the option to create a website within the messaging app itself.
At present, features like chatting, groups, channels, bots and mini apps are available on Telegram. After the addition of .gram domain and AI website feature, the company can move towards developing its platform beyond messaging into a big digital platform.