Telegram Inline Bots Explained

A Telegram inline bot is a bot you can use from any chat without opening it first. You type the bot's username in the message field, add a search or request, and the bot shows results above your keyboard. Tap one, and it is sent into the chat you are in.

This guide explains how to use inline bots, what they can and cannot see, and what developers should know before building one.

How inline bots differ from regular bots

With a regular bot, you open its chat, press Start and talk to it there. Everything happens in that private conversation.

An inline bot works where you already are. You might be chatting with a friend or posting in a group, and you want to share a search result, an image or a piece of information. Instead of leaving the chat, you call the bot inline.

The message you send this way usually carries a small "via @botname" label. That tells everyone in the chat which bot produced it.

Many bots support both styles. They have a normal chat for settings and an inline mode for quick sharing.

How to use an inline bot

The steps are the same in most Telegram apps.

1. Open any chat where you can send messages.
2. In the message field, type the bot's username starting with @, then a space.
3. Type what you are looking for. For example, a search term.
4. Wait a moment while results appear above the keyboard.
5. Scroll through the results and tap the one you want.
6. The result is sent into the chat.

If nothing appears, check you typed the username exactly. Some bots also show a short hint in the message field telling you what to type.

Some bots ask you to start them first

A few inline bots need you to open their chat and press Start before they work, for example to set a language or link an account. If so, the bot usually shows a button that takes you there.

Where inline bots may not work

Group and channel admins can restrict what members send, including content from inline bots. If you cannot use inline bots in a chat, the admins may have limited it.

What inline bots are used for

Inline mode suits anything you want to share quickly in a conversation. Common uses include:

• Searching for images, GIFs, videos or articles to share.
• Looking things up, such as definitions, translations or facts.
• Sharing content from a service, such as a product or a page.
• Creating small things on the spot, like formatted text or polls.
• Games that start in a chat with friends.

Each bot decides what it offers. Read a bot's description to see what it supports.

What an inline bot can see

Privacy is a fair question, because you call these bots from inside other conversations.

What it receives

When you type a query, the inline bot receives:

• the text you type after its username
• your basic public profile details, such as your name, username and a numeric user ID
• possibly some general context, depending on the bot and Telegram's current features

Some bots can ask for your location to give local results. Telegram asks you before sharing it.

What it does not receive

• The chat you are typing in. The bot does not get to read your conversation.
• The other people in the chat. It does not receive their messages.
• Your phone number, unless you share it with the bot separately.

Your query is still sent to the bot's developer as you type. Do not type private information into an inline query, such as passwords, codes or personal details.

For more detail, see Are Telegram Bots Safe? What a Bot Can and Cannot See.

Building an inline bot

If you develop bots, inline mode is a useful feature to add. Here is the process in prose. Check Telegram's official Bot API documentation for exact details.

1. Turn on inline mode

Inline mode is off by default. You enable it for your bot through @BotFather, where you can also set the placeholder text that appears in the message field. If you have not created a bot yet, start with How to Create a Telegram Bot With BotFather.

2. Handle inline queries

When someone types your bot's username and a query, Telegram sends your bot an inline query. Your program reads the text, finds matching results and sends back a list.

Each result has a type, such as an article, a photo, a GIF or a video, plus the content that will be sent if the user picks it.

3. Answer quickly

Inline results need to appear while people type. Keep your search fast. Telegram can cache results for a period you choose, which reduces load for repeated queries. Use caching carefully for personal results.

4. Think about personal results

Some results depend on who is asking. Telegram lets you mark results as personal so they are not cached and shown to someone else. Use this whenever results include anything specific to one user.

5. Offer a way into the bot

If users must set something up first, you can show a button above the results that opens your bot's private chat or a Mini App. That is better than returning empty results with no explanation.

6. Optionally track choices

Telegram can tell your bot which result a user chose, if you enable that feedback in BotFather. It can help you improve results. Collect only what you need.

Tips for a good inline bot

• Return useful results for an empty query. Show popular or recent items so people see what the bot does.
• Keep titles and descriptions short. They appear in a small space on phones.
• Make sent content stand alone. The people in the chat may never have heard of your bot.
• Respect chat rules. Avoid content that would get users muted or removed from groups.

Common mistakes

• Typing private information into a query. Queries go to the bot's developer as you type.
• Using a look-alike bot. Check the exact username, especially for bots that share links. See How to Find a Telegram Bot Safely.
• Forgetting to enable inline mode (developers). The bot will not receive queries until it is turned on in BotFather.
• Caching personal results (developers). Another user could see results meant for someone else.
• Slow responses (developers). Results that take too long feel broken.
• Sending content that only makes sense to the sender. Make each result clear to everyone in the chat.

FAQ

Do I need to add an inline bot to a chat?

No. You just type its username in the message field. The bot is not added as a member, and it does not join the chat.

Can an inline bot read my chat?

No. It receives what you type after its username and your basic profile details, not the conversation.

Why does "via @botname" appear on some messages?

That label shows the message was sent using an inline bot. It helps people see where the content came from.

Why don't inline bots work in some groups?

Admins can restrict what members send, which can include inline bot content. Ask the admins if you are unsure.

Can any bot work inline?

Only bots whose developers have enabled inline mode and built support for it. Check the bot's description.

Summary

Inline bots let you use a bot from any chat by typing its username and a query, then picking a result to send. They are ideal for quick searching and sharing. They see what you type after their username and your basic profile, not your conversation, so never type private information into a query. Developers enable inline mode in @BotFather, answer queries quickly, and mark personal results so they are not shared. To learn more about bots in general, read What Are Telegram Bots and How Do They Work?.