Reactions were first added to Telegram in 2021.
Telegram introduced message reactions in its December 2021 update, allowing users to respond to messages with interactive emoji instead of writing a separate reply. The feature gave chats a faster way to show approval, amusement, surprise or other feelings while keeping conversations less cluttered.
The original launch was followed by several expansions. Telegram later increased the number of available reaction emoji and redesigned the reaction panel. Premium users received access to additional options before many more reactions became available to free users in a September 2022 update.
Reactions are different from interactive emoji, which Telegram had introduced earlier as animated emoji effects. They are also different from stickers: a reaction is attached directly to an existing message, while a sticker is sent as a separate visual message. Telegram subsequently added paid reactions using Stars, letting users support channels and creators, but that monetization feature came well after the original 2021 introduction.