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How a casino tracks activity through the Telegram API
1) Why and what exactly to track
The purpose of Telegram analytics is to measure the channel/post → bot path → WebApp → the target action (registration, deposit, participation in the tournament), while observing Telegram and privacy rules. Basic questions:- Where did the user come from (channel, blogger, promo post)?
- What did he do in the bot and mini-app (WebApp)?
- Has it converted into a valuable action and how quickly?
- What content/timing gives the largest increment?
2) Legal and platform framework (required)
Consent and transparency. The user must understand what data you are collecting (privacy policy in the bot/WebApp + link from the menu).
PII minimization. Store 'telegram _ user _ id' and technical events; personal data - only if necessary (KYC - in a certified module).
You cannot collect hidden device identifiers bypassing Telegram, request 2FA/CVV/seed codes.
Retention and deletion. Define the event TTL (for example, 12-24 months) and the "delete my data" process.
Responsible play. Do not use analytics to bypass limits/self-exclusion; promo segmentation should respect them.
3) Data sources in Telegram: what is really available
3. 1 Bot API (User Chat)
`/start? start =
Commands and buttons: 'callback _ query' from inline buttons, 'reply _ markup' clicks.
Reactions & polls (in a channel/group, if bot admin) - aggregated involvement.
Join/Leave events - subscribe/unsubscribe channel/group (if the bot sees them).
Payment through invoices - invoice statuses (without storing payment secrets).
3. 2 Telegram WebApp (mini-application)
'initData '(signed string) → the server checks the signature and binds the session to' telegram _ user _ id '.
'web _ app _ data '/' mainButton'clicks are business events within a gadget.
Deeplink navigation (from bot/channel) - go to the desired screen (game, cash register, tournament).
3. 3 Channels and posts
CTR by buttons (if the button leads to a bot/WebApp with a label).
Reactions/views - high-level engagement.
UTM tags in web links (if you are leading to a web cabinet).
4) Tracking architecture: from event to report
1. Ingress
Bot webhook accepts' message ',' callback _ query ',' chat _ member ',' shipping/pre _ checkout ', etc.
WebApp backend accepts'initData '(signature verification), UI events (clicks, screens), transaction statuses (read-only).
2. Enrichment
Parsing 'start' parameter/UTM, binding to campaign and source.
Geo/language from profile (if available), timezone from client/settings.
3. Normalization
Event schema (see below), deduplication by 'event _ id', idempotency.
4. Storage
Bus (Kafka/PubSub) → event store (S3/BigQuery/ClickHouse) + OLTP for online counters.
5. Attribution & Models
Multi-touch attribution: last non-direct/time-decay; incremental tests with control groups.
6. BI/Monitoring
Dashboards: channel coverage, ER/CTR, bot clicks, WebApp sessions, conversions (reg/dep/tournament), LTV by source.
7. Privacy & Governance
PII masking, TTL, access role model, audit.
5) Event diagram (recommended minimum)
Common fields:- `event_id` `event_ts` `user_id` (telegram) `session_id` (webapp) `source` (channel_id/post_id/start_param) `campaign` (utm_campaign/start) `geo` `lang` `app_version` `platform` (tg_ios/tg_android/tg_desktop/web).
- Acquisition: `tg_start` (payload), `channel_click` (post_id, btn_id), `subscribe_channel`, `unsubscribe_channel`.
- Engagement (Bot): `bot_command` (cmd), `inline_click` (btn_id, screen), `promo_redeem_click`.
- WebApp: `webapp_open` (verified=true), `screen_view` (name), `cta_click` (id), `form_submit` (type), `deeplink_open` (target).
- Conversion: `register_success`, `kyc_step` (stage), `deposit_init/success`, `bonus_activate`, `tournament_join`.
- Lifecycle: `promo_optin/on`, `quiet_hours_set`, `responsible_limit_set`.
- Errors: `webapp_signature_invalid`, `api_timeout`, `payment_failed` (reason).
6) Deeplink and the'start' parameter: how to mark traffic
7) What is impossible and what is pointless to track
It is impossible: to bypass privacy (read other people's chats, "who watched the post" by name), ask for codes/secrets, collect hidden device IDs.
It makes no sense: to count the "readings of the MP" - Telegram does not give such markers; focus on clicks/responses.
8) Antifraud circuits
'initData 'substitution. Always check the signature on the server, discard events without validation.
Farm clicks. Limits on'start 'from one account/IP, detection of atypical speeds.
Referral abuse. Summarize the rules "1 account - 1 bonus" and KYC checks before payments.
Behavioral anomalies. Unrealistic path (start → deposit <5 sec), proxy geo, fresh devices - flag and step-up.
9) Metrics and reports (what to watch every week)
Top-of-funnel: channel subscriptions, ER (reactions/views), CTR from post to bot/WebApp.
Middle: 'tg _ start' → 'webapp _ open' conversion, screen depth in WebApp, time to first target action.
Bottom/Value: registration/deposit/participation in tournaments, ARPU/LTV by source/creative, increment vs control group.
Quality: opt-out, share of complaints/errors, SLA delivery of statuses to chat.
Responsible game: the share of users who have set limits, the frequency of night promos (tends to 0).
10) Performance and reliability
Rate limits Bot API. Observe limits, message queues; retreats with exponential backoff.
Idempotency. All events - with 'event _ id' (ULID/UUID v7); discard the replays.
Monitoring. Alerts by webhook 5xx/timeout, signature 'initData', increase in payment errors.
Cold start WebApp. App Shell cache, event log by batches (no more than N/sec per user).
11) Examples of practical funnels
Frispin → channel funnel:- Пост (btn: «Забрать в боте», `start=ch42-p123-fs`) → `/start` + `tg_start` → `webapp_open` (verified) → `bonus_activate` → `screen_view:slot` → `spin_start`.
- Push from bot "return" (deeplink to "Continue") → 'webapp _ open' → 'cta _ click: continue' → 'screen _ view: game' → 'deposit _ success' (if balance is zero).
12) Implementation checklist (one page)
1. Privacy and consent policy visible from the bot/WebApp.
2. Validation of'initData 'and idempotent events with a single dictionary of fields.
3. Single deeplink/' start 'parameter constructor, UTM schema.
4. Event bus + long-term storage, TTL and deletion processes.
5. Channel/creative dashboards, conversions to value, incremental tests.
6. Antifraud: limits, anomalies, KYC-gate before payments.
7. Responsible game: night promo filters, timeout/self-exclusion accounting.
8. Processes: "two pairs of eyes" on campaigns, register of STA/links, revision once a quarter.
13) Frequent mistakes and quick fixes
The same'start 'for all creatives. → Make unique payloads, otherwise do not distinguish sources.
No WebApp signature verification. → Any metrics and money at risk; Implement server validation.
Raw telemetry in prod. → Batchy, sampling, frequency limits so as not to "eat" traffic/battery.
Promo ignores limits/timeouts. → Filter segments; respect Responsible Gaming.
Mixing PII with events. → Store PII separately/encrypted, the event layer is impersonal.
14) Mini-FAQ
Is it possible to determine who exactly watched the post in the channel?
No, it isn't. Aggregates (views/reactions) are available. For personalization - enter the bot/WebApp.
How to mark clicks from the channel correctly?
Buttons with a unique 'start' -payload or UTM for web links; one CTA per post.
Why check 'initData' WebApp if everything works anyway?
Without verification, anyone can fake a session/source - you ruin analytics and risk security.
Is it possible to associate a Telegram profile with an external account?
Yes, through the server check 'initData' and linking to your 'user _ id'; follow the privacy policy.
How to measure the real effectiveness of the channel?
Cohorts and control groups: part of the audience does not receive promo - compare the difference in registration/deposits/LTV.
Activity tracking through the Telegram API is based on legal Bot API and WebApp events, accurate traffic markup ('start', UTM) and signature verification, and not on "gray" tracking methods. Add a normalized event schema, anti-fraud, respect for privacy and the rules of responsible play - and you get a transparent channel/bot funnel → WebApp → value that can be honestly optimized and scaled.