WP Telegram Bot - ChoosePlugin.com

Telegram Bot turns your WordPress website into a messaging bot

Author:	Marco Milesi (profile at wordpress.org)
WordPress version required:	3.8
WordPress version tested:	6.4
Plugin version:	3.7
Added to WordPress repository:	07-09-2015
Last updated:	19-10-2023
Rating, %:	96
Rated by:	21
Plugin URI:	https://wordpress.org/plugins/telegram-bot/
Total downloads:	77 069
Active installs:	1 000+
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This versatile plugin allows you to accomplish a variety of tasks, including teaching, playing, searching, broadcasting, reminding, connecting, and integrating with your services.

With this powerful bot builder, you can:

???? Bot builder: create interactive autoresponders for users and groups
???? Broadcast: utilize the broadcast feature to send messages to your channels and bot subscribers

Bot features

Enhance your content distribution strategy with these free advanced features:

???? Send your content (post, page or custom messages) with templates
???? Support for scheduled post broadcast
⌨️ Utilize keyboards and inline buttons for enhanced user engagement
???? Broadcast to various channels including chats, groups, supergroups, and channels
↩️ Create unlimited autoresponders
???? View insights about users and groups subscribed to your bot
???? Haversine algorithm to get users’ location and provide geo-focused content
???? Create custom applicatons with /$command $var1 $var2 format for custom application creation
???? Zapier integration to ensure seamless connectivity with your other tools

Channel features

???? Send your content (post, page or custom messages) with configurable templates
???? Support for scheduled post broadcast
???? Zapier integration

Note: your bot must be administrator of your channel for sending messages

???? Every connection relies on secure webhooks for maximum security. Telegram requires SSL to manage a Telegram Bot. If you don’t have it, just choose the free opt-in service botpress.org in options (the feature will send some data to our server).

Zapier and IoT features

Zapier makes it easy to automate tasks between web apps. For example:

send a news published on a website (based on RSS)
send the weather to your subscribers, every day
inform users when you upload an image on Instagram
and much more… With 400+ Zapier Apps supported!

DEMO

CosenzApp_bot (italian) – Guide for Cosenza city
Want to showcase your work? contact us!

Screenshots
FAQ

More documentation is available on www.botpress.org/docs

How do I create a bot?

www.botpress.org/docs/telegram/how-to-create-a-bot

How can i let users subscribe?

www.botpress.org/docs/telegram/how-do-users-subscribe

What is Zapier and how do i integrate it?

www.botpress.org/docs/telegram/zapier-integration

How to enable debug mode?

If you are a developer, or just want a more complete “Telegram > Log” enable WP_DEBUG mode.
The plugin debug mode also allows to explore Telegram users and groups as standard posts. This let you to check custom fields for each users and modify them in real time. You’ll notice a new column (= Telegram id for the user) in Subscribers and Groups page.
We don’t suggest to keep WP_DEBUG if not for testing purposes.

How to make dynamic replies? (PHP required)

The best way to integrate PHP code is to build a custom integration plugin, but you can also add PHP to /$commands directly in your WordPress admin dashboard using the Insert Php plugin.

In case you want to scale and choose the first option, you can create a new file called telegram-bot-custom.php and upload it to wp-content/plugins.

The following example, once activated in the plugins list, will reply to /command:

<?php
/*
Plugin Name: Telegram Bot & Channel (Custom)
Description: My Custom Telegram Plugin
Author: My name
Version: 1
*/

add_action('telegram_parse','telegramcustom_parse', 10, 2);

function telegramcustom_parse( $telegram_user_id, $text ) {
    $plugin_post_id = telegram_getid( $telegram_user_id );

    if ( !$plugin_post_id ) {
        return;
    }

    /*
    Here is the dynamic processing and how to reply.
    You can:
    - use if, switch and everything that works in php
    - check if $text is made of multiple words (create an array from $text)
    - customize and code other actions (ex. create WordPress post is $telegram_user_id is your id)
    */

    if ( $text == '/command') {
        telegram_sendmessage( $telegram_user_id, 'Oh, yes you typed /command');
    }

    return;
}

?>

How to set up dynamic keyboards?

You can send custom keyboards directly in php. Every keyboard can be set only when you send a message, and is kept in the client side until another keyboard is sent (in another message). You can also change this behaviour by setting the $one_time_keyboard true or false.

telegram_sendmessage( $telegram_user_id, 'Hello from the other side!'); //Message with no keyboard (or with default one if set in plugin options)
telegram_sendmessage( $telegram_user_id, 'Hello from the other side!', telegram_build_reply_markup( '11,12,13;21,22', true )); //Message with custom keyboard

Here is the details of telegram_build_reply_markup (an array is returned):
telegram_build_reply_markup(
‘11,12,13;21,22’, //The keyboard template (eg. 2 row, 3 columns for the first one and two columns for the second one
true, // $one_time_keyboard (optional) (default false = kept until a new keyboard is sent) (true = kept until the user send something to the bot)
true // $resize_keyboard (optional) (default true)
);

You can also alter keyboards for commands defined in the admin area. Start from the previous custom plugin created, and add the following filter:

add_filter( 'telegram_get_reply_markup_filter', 'telegram_get_reply_markup_filter_custom', 1 );

function telegram_get_reply_markup_filter_custom( $id ) {
    if ( $id ) {
        switch ( $id ) {
            case 7: //Your command ID (found in the url while editing the command)
                telegram_log('####', $id, 'custom keyboard'); //Useful for debug
                return array(
                    'keyboard' => array(array('Top Left', 'Top Right'),array('Bottom')),
                    'resize_keyboard' => true, //true or false (suggested: true)
                    'one_time_keyboard' => true //true or false
                    );            
            default:
                return;
        }
    }
}

How to get user location?

It’s easy, with harvesine algorithm (one-point radius) or standard geolocation (4-points).
These snippets only cover the harvesine algorithm, that is simple and supported by the plugin. To use the standard 4-points geolocation it’s enough to do some php-calc with basic if-then structures.

You can start from the previous custom plugin created, and add the following action:

add_action('telegram_parse_location','telegramcustom_c_parse_location', 10, 3);

function telegramcustom_c_parse_location ( $telegram_user_id, $lat, $long  ) {

  if ( telegram_location_haversine_check ( 45.85, 9.70, $lat, $long, 20 ) ) {
    telegram_sendmessage( $telegram_user_id, 'Inside the radius');
  }

}

The examples sends a “Inside the radius” message when the user is inside the 20-meters radius centered in 45.85 Lat, 9.70 Long.

You have two developer functions to use:

//Check if point is within a distance (max_distance required)
$boolean = telegram_location_haversine_check ( $latitudeFrom, $longitudeFrom, $latitudeTo, $longitudeTo, $max_distance, $min_distance = 0, $earthRadius = 6371000);

//Calculate the distance
$int = telegram_location_haversine_distance ( $latitudeFrom, $longitudeFrom, $latitudeTo, $longitudeTo, $earthRadius = 6371000);

The first function returns a boolean (true/false) depending on given parameters. Please note that $min_distance and $earthRadius are optional.
The second one returns a int (in meters) of the distance. $earthRadius optional.

Both the functions calculates distances on meters. If you want another type of result, just change the $earthRadius.

How to get user photos?

We’ve written simple functions to let developers build everything.
Photos are saved in /wp-content/uploads/telegram-bot/’.$plugin_post_id.’/’.$file_name where $plugin_post_id is the custom post type id associated with the Telegram subscription (ex. ’24’) and $file_name is time().$extension

<?php
/*
Plugin Name: Telegram Bot & Channel (Custom)
Description: My Custom Telegram Plugin
Author: My name
Version: 1
*/

add_action('telegram_parse_photo','telegramcustom_parse_photo', 10, 2);

function telegramcustom_parse_photo ( $telegram_user_id, $photo  ) {

 $plugin_post_id = telegram_getid( $telegram_user_id );

 if ( !$plugin_post_id ) {
  return;
 }

 /*
  Here is the dynamic processing and how to reply.
  You can:
   - use if, switch and everything that works in php
   - check if $text is made of multiple words (create an array from $text)
   - customize and code other actions (ex. create WordPress post is $telegram_user_id is your id)
 */

 /*
   $photo[2]['file_id'] is only one of available sizes. You should make sure that this size exist, or check for another size.
   $photo[1]['file_id'] has lower resolution
 */
 $url = telegram_download_file( $telegram_user_id, $photo[2]['file_id'] ); //Fetch and save photo to your server

 if ( $url ) { //$url is the local url because photo is already saved

  //You can save the entry in your db
  global $wpdb;
  $arr = array( 'telegram_id' => $telegram_user_id, 'plugin_post_id' => $plugin_post_id, 'url' => $url );

  $wpdb->insert(
   $wpdb->prefix . 'your_table_name_that_must_already_exist', $arr, array( '%s' )
  );

  //Or save it as custom field and use it for a Finite State Machine
  update_post_meta( $plugin_post_id, 'telegram_custom_last_photo_received', $url );

  telegram_sendmessage( $telegram_user_id, 'Photo received. Thank you!');
}

?>

Another example, that is a “emergency bot” created for the mid-italy earthquake (24 august 2016) is available on GitHub

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ChangeLog

3.7 20231020

[NEW] Added ability to selectively send message to subscribed groups
[BUGFIX] Fixed critical bug when sending to groups
[BUGFIX] Minor changes and optimizations
[NEW] Github deploy flow setup – https://github.com/WPGov/telegram-bot

3.6.3 20230527

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.6.2 20230217

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.6.1 20220927

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.6 20220927

[NEW] Added function to send message to specific users
[NEW] Users list refactoring with possibility to edit/delete subscribers
[NEW] Added possibility to edit subscriber fields
[NEW] Added user activity counter to check how many input a single subscriber sends to the bot
[IMPROVE] Better backend UI/UX
[BUGFIX] Improved Telegram error recognition (e.g., bot kick/block/stop/start)
[BUGFIX] Code refactoring to boost performance
[BUGFIX] Improved security and input checks
[DEPRECATED] Removed “editor” support from telegram_subscribers custom post type

3.5 20220907

This plugin goes green: this update brings various improvements to save energy!
[NEW] New energy-saving logging method (warning: old logs will be purged)
[NEW] Added button to view private endpoint (use it to bypass cache/firewall)
[IMPROVE] Better backend UI/UX
[BUGFIX] Minor changes
[BUGFIX] Minor improvements

3.4.10 20220819

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.4.9 20210804

[BUGFIX] Fixed a problem with correct user details update on message received (thanks @sanaconeltantra)
[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.4.7 20210402

[BUGFIX] Fixed bug with reply_markup “null” – Thanks to Stefano!
[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.4.6 20210222

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.4.4 20210222

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.4.3 20210219

[BUGFIX] Minor changes

3.4.2 20210217

[IMPROVE] Added ability to directly send a new manual message after the previous (in send screen)
[BUGFIX] Solved a bug for error “400 – BAD REQUEST” when sending to a channel and a keyboard was set in options

3.4.1 20210205

[IMPROVE] Minor changes

3.4 20201210

[IMPROVE] Many function enhancements (faster and more developer flexible)
[NEW] “Send to ALL” option
[IMPROVE] Fixed some warnings
[BUGFIX] Bugfix with Gutenberg default send target
[IMPROVE] Commands are now “Responders”
[IMPROVE] Under the hood improvements

3.3 20201114

Admin graphic enhancements
Under the hood improvements

3.2.2 20201001

Minor improvements

3.2.1 20200909

Fixed wrong icon for Gutenberg editor in WP 5.5
Temporary deactivated “Publish” text alteration in post edit screen (Gutenberg) due to regression

3.2 20200908

Added page support
Improved send to Telegram UI with message on publish button
Fixed bug and compatibility for post_type without custom-fields support declared

3.1.2 20200515

Bugfix for particular proxy configurations

3.1.1 20200515

Minor improvements

3.1 20200430

New welcome screen
Redesigned options page
Performance improvements

3.0 28.04.2020

Added Gutenberg compatibility
Performance improvements
New backend design
Many new features coming soon!

2.3 27.12.2019

Anonymous functions to manage post actions are now callable for better third party integration
Many Thanks to STEFANO – Oratorio Leno (Brescia) ITALY

2.2.1 15.06.2019

Tested with latest WP version

2.2 05.09.2017

Tested with WP4.8

2.1.1 4.03.2017

Added %CHAT_ID% placeholder for post template (useful for Google Analytics campaign)
Fixed bug with publish_post when using %EXCERPT% (thanks @jsbmand)
Minor improvements

2.0.7 7.02.2017

Fixed bug when parsing content containing “x”

2.0.6 13.01.2017

Fix: possibile problems with future_post_publish when hooking “telegram_send_post”
Improved perfomance

2.0.4 29.12.2016

Fix: markdown parameter was incorrectly added while sending to channel (error 400)

2.0.3 21.12.2016

Added filters to publish_post and publish_future_post to allow plugin’s customizations via actions
Fixed bug that printed a false error “incorrect parameters due to: HTTP/1.1 200 OK” in log
Fixed bug causing errors while sending to groups in some cases

2.0.1 16.12.2016

Fixed bug with widget channel link – Thanks @aghorbanmehr
Improved widget style
Improved main panel
Added localhost warning in plugin options (plugin can’t receive messages in offline environments)
Improved readme.txt

2.0 14.12.2016

Follow our new Telegram channel telegram.me/botpressorg
Tested with WP 4.7
This is a major change that requires attention: info www.botpress.org/?p=2021
New “bypass” platform for non-SSL users: www.botpress.org. Account registration no-longer required because it’s now done automatically by the plugin (as opt-in service)
Added inline buttons support
Added targeting system to send messages differently between users/groups/channel
Added widget to let users follow your bot/channel
Improved speed, filters and actions
Bugfixes and UI improvements

1.8.3 5.12.2016

Bugfix
New PHP filters for subscriber and group views (check source code to find more)

1.8.1 16.11.2016

Regression bugfix: new broadcast system didn’t work with custom post types
Minor performance boost

1.8 15.11.2016

Posts broadcast completely rewritten due to occasional bugs
Scheduled posts broadcast added
Version 2.0 in progress: stay tuned!

1.7.1 16.09.2016

Improved telegram_sendmessage() with ability to define custom keyboards via php
Added function to build a reply_markup that can be used as third parameter in telegram_sendmessage()
More dev-info in our faqs!

1.7 14.09.2016

Added php function to get and save incoming files. More info in our faqs!
We’re planning a free server upgrade for non-SSL users. Stay tuned: the best is yet to come!
Minor changes

1.6.1 27.08.2016

Added nopaging => true in “telegram_sendmessagetoall” function to force website post_limit override

1.6 26.08.2016

Added harvesine algorithm for radial geolocation. Check the faqs for more informations
Added a complete debug mode for developers to extend the plugin via custom fields. Check the faqs for more informations
Readme changes

1.5.2 25.08.2016

Fix for some persian environments
Performance improvements
Switched debug_mode trigger. Now you have to enable WP_DEBUG if you want to fire the plugin debug mode.

1.5.1 23.08.2016

Critical fix for “Insert_PHP” parsing (and similar) caused by oembed conflict (thanks @websurfertech)

1.5 23.08.2016

Added instant send when publishing new content with configurable template
This version changes the sendmessage function because WordPress now turned post links to title automatically.
Please test your dynamic commands if you extended the plugin via php
Minor improvements

1.4.2 17.08.2016

Minor bugfix
Minor improvements
WP 4.6 compatibility check

1.4.1 06.08.2016

Fixed error while parsing placeholders for supergroup

1.4 07.07.2016

Timeout prevention while sending to many users (Telegram doesn’t support bulk actions)
Please note that Telegram broadcasting is better with channels. You can try also indoona, indoona, another open chat (made in Italy) that is better and faster when sending multiple messages at once. indoona allows you to keep your followers and fans always up to date with your WordPress site directly from their chat!
Bugfix in parsing
Entries are now deleted instead of being deactivated (timeout prevention)
Old entries will be deleted when approriate error code is received from Telegram (as before when deactivating)

1.3.18 6.07.2016

Improved message_id check to avoid Telegram loops

1.3.17 21.05.2016

Removed message_id check due to Telegram changes – investigating now
Fixed reply_markup creation due to Telegram changes – should be correct now

1.3.16 22.04.2016

Bugfix for supergroups message_id

1.3.15 03.04.2016

Added supergroup support
Tested with WP4.5

1.3.14 26.02.2016

another bugfix for persian WP Jalali compatibility

1.3.13 26.02.2016

Fixed bug with WP-Jalali when persian numbers conversion enabled

1.3.12 21.02.2016

Added return values (true/false) to telegram_sendmessage($args)

1.3.11 15.02.2016

Fixed wrong version on main panel

1.3.10 14.02.2016

Minor improvements
Performance improvements

1.3.9 13.02.2016

Fixed some php notices

1.3.8 05.02.2016

Added check to avoid empty message departure

1.3.7 02.02.2016

Added message_id check for loop prevention
Added sleep() function to prevent Telegram API limits when sending bulk messages

1.3.6 01.02.2016

Performance improvements and loop prevention

1.3.5 28.01.2016

Now manual send detects inactive users and deactive theme.
Minor changes
Fixed bug with sending messages to groups

1.3.4 24.01.2016

Added hackable telegram_parse_location filter

1.3.3 13.01.2016

Better scalability for admin columns
Minor improvements

1.3.2 13.01.2016

Fixed columns.php encoding
Minor changes

1.3 8.01.2016

Added custom keyboards for commands
Added location services – see wptele.ga documentation

1.2 7.01.2016

Added custom keyboard
Added commands alias (just type them comma-separated in the title field)
Minor improvements

1.1.1 7.01.2016

Minor changes

1.1 26.12.2015

Added channel support
Added new translation system. Please contribute here: translate.wordpress.org
Minor improvements

1.0.2 21.11.2015

Fixed log DEBUG being incorrectly activated
Minor improvements to log system
Various improvements

1.0 19.11.2015

Various bugfixs and improvements
Added full Groups support (bot can now be added to groups)
Added separate view for groups
Improved Users panel
Added customizable /start and /stop message (for groups too)
Added notices in admin screen

0.13 11.11.2015

Now /command and /command test call the same function. Not for /commandtest
This allows to build more advanced functions with parameters!

0.12 11.11.2015

Added developer function telegram_get_data_array()
Readme changes
Minor changes

0.11 09.11.2015

Fixed bug in some sites when having more than 10 commands (bypass global site query limit)
Now if a user change/add/remove First Name, Last Name, Username in his Telegram the list will reflect changes
Better Main Panel with RSS
Added dispatches counter
New style for inactive users in Subscribers list
Minor improvements

0.10 24.10.2015

Added shortcode parsing. This includes php parsing if apposite plugin is installed – eg Insert Php
Bugfixes
Minor improvements

0.9 23.09.2015

Added Zapier integration (beta) – see faq for details
Minor changes
Added possibility to use markdown (BOLD, ITALIC, URL)

0.8 15.09.2015

Subscribers list changes
Added /stop support
Bugfixes + improvements

0.7.3 – 14.09.2015

Improved send message function

0.7.2 – 13.09.2015

Commands now are case-insensitive
Fixed bug for post thumbnail not being received

0.7.1 – 13.09.2015

Compatibility fix for PHP5.3

0.7 – 13.09.2015

Added Send Message panel
Fixed XSS vulnerability (thanks to Roman Ananyev)

0.1 – 07.09.2015

First Commit

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