Sending a "circle" message in the Telegram bot
A video message (note) in Telegram is a unique format for sending short video messages in the form of a circle (similar to Stories). It is used in personal chats and groups for quick communication. Telegram automatically cuts the video to a 1:1 square, adds a circular mask, and optimizes for instant viewing. The maximum duration is 60 seconds, which makes the format ideal for microcontent.
What formats does a video message (note) accept in Telegram and what are the limitations?
Formats of video messages (notes)
In Telegram, video files with a duration of up to 60 seconds are suitable for creating circles. The uploaded video must be 8 MB in size and have a resolution of 640x640 pixels.
Some limitations to consider when working with Telegram videos:
- Duration: no longer than 1 minute. If you take longer to shoot, the recording will stop and you will need to send the video yourself.
- Device format: You can record circles only from smartphones or on Apple computers. This feature is not available in the desktop version of Telegram.
- Editing: before sending, the circles can be changed in the built-in editor, for example, to crop the beginning or ending.
- Self-destruct timer: there is a function that allows the interlocutor to view the circle only once, after which the message is immediately deleted.
- Save: The sent video message can be saved to the user's device.
- Playback: Sent videos are automatically played in the chat feed for easy viewing.
Popular mistakes when sending video messages (circle)
400 Bad Request: Wrong video ratio
- Reason: The video is not square (for example, 16:9).
- Solution: Convert to 1:1:
400 Bad Request: Video duration too long
- Reason: Video >60 seconds.
- Solution: Crop.
413 Request Entity Too Large
- Reason: The file is >8 MB.
- Solution: Compress the video.
400 Bad Request: Wrong file identifier
- Reason: Invalid file_id or broken link.
- Solution: Update the file_id or check the availability of the URL.
403 Forbidden: Bot was blocked by the user
- Solution: Requires the user to unlock the bot.
Information
Technical information for the BOT-MARKET API
- The message type code (`MessageType'): "5" (for `sendVideoNote').
- Max. Sending speed: 20 messages/second in groups.
Tips for effective use
1. Optimization for mobile:
- Resolution: 480x480 (quality/size balance).
- Duration: <15 seconds for maximum engagement.
2. Content Creation:
- Use vertical shooting → Telegram will automatically crop to a square.
- Add text to the center of the frame (for a circular view).
