BRIEFLY.
Max Messenger Surpasses Telegram and WhatsApp in Russia
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1 min read
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Briefly Editorial Team

Max Messenger Surpasses Telegram and WhatsApp in Russia

TL;DR

  • •Max became the top messaging app in Russia by daily users.
  • •Telegram lost 30% of its audience in a month.
  • •Max's growth follows restrictions on competitors.

Why it matters

Max's rise reflects regulatory pressures on Telegram and WhatsApp in Russia. This shift impacts the digital advertising market, where Telegram still dominates.

Growth Amid Competitor Restrictions

In April 2024, Max messenger became the leading messaging app in Russia by daily active users, surpassing Telegram and WhatsApp. According to Mediascope data, 68 million users aged 12+ accessed Max daily, a 10.6% increase from March. Telegram lost 30% of its audience, dropping to 50.3 million daily users, while WhatsApp fell to 29.8 million (-1.7%).

Audience Shifts in Messaging Apps

Telegram remains first in monthly reach (88 million users), followed by Max (85.4 million) and WhatsApp (71.7 million). Max claims its actual daily audience reaches 85 million, including users outside Mediascope's statistics. The growth coincides with intensified restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp, including advertising bans and technical barriers.

Impact on Advertising Markets

Telegram still controls up to 50% of Russia's influencer marketing market. Max's rise highlights the evolving digital landscape, where regulatory actions shape user behavior and market dynamics.