You can advertise medical services in Telegram Ads if the clinic is licensed and the ad does not promise unproven health benefits: that is what clause 5.8 of Telegram’s ad rules requires. For a Russian audience, Article 24 of Russia’s Advertising Law adds a mandatory contraindications warning and a ban on patient testimonials. Below: what moderation accepts, what Russian law requires, and how to set up a campaign for a clinic.
Is medical advertising allowed in Telegram Ads?
Yes, with restrictions. In July 2022 Telegram changed clause 5.8 of its ad platform rules to allow ads for medical products and services that have passed the checks required by local law (reported by Kod.ru on July 1, 2022). The current rules at ads.telegram.org require the product to comply with local regulations and the seller to hold the necessary licenses.
At the same time, the rules forbid linking a product to unverified health benefits. General rejection reasons are covered in Telegram Ads Moderation: Rules and Rejection Reasons.
What Telegram’s rules prohibit
Under clause 5.8 of the Telegram Ads rules (as of November 2026), the following are prohibited:
- Weight loss and weight gain products. Regardless of form or ingredients.
- Dietary supplements and herbal drugs. Also pregnancy and fertility products.
- Prescription and unapproved medicines. And sales of medicines by unregistered sellers.
- Unlicensed medical devices, services and treatments.
- Claims of unrealistic health improvements. Any unverified curative or stimulating claims.
Clause 5.4 on misleading advertising also applies: no scare tactics, no “diagnosing” the reader and no absolute claims like “the best clinic”. In Yandex Direct campaigns targeting Türkiye, medical services and medicines are excluded entirely, and for Uzbekistan Yandex advises against using images of doctors or recognizable people in medical ads.
What Russian law requires
Ads aimed at a Russian audience fall under Article 24 of Russia’s Federal Law No. 38-FZ “On Advertising” (as amended on August 4, 2026). This is not legal advice, but the key requirements for medical services advertising are:
- Contraindications warning. Ads for medical services, including methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, must carry a warning about contraindications and the need to consult a specialist. Outside radio and TV it must take up at least 5% of the ad space.
- No references to cures. You cannot say a specific patient got better thanks to the service.
- No patient gratitude. Testimonials and “thank you, doctor” messages are banned in ads.
- No claims about the reader’s illness. Lines like “Does your back hurt?” are risky in an ad.
- Complex methods for professionals only. Ads for treatment methods and devices that require special training are allowed only at medical events and in specialist publications.
General Russian requirements apply too: labeling with an ERID token, and the FAS position on advertising in Telegram, with a transition period until December 31, 2026. See Telegram Ads Labeling in Russia and Is Telegram Advertising Legal in Russia.
How to fit the warning into 160 characters
Telegram Ads text is limited to 160 characters, so the warning noticeably reduces space for the offer. Russian law does not specify how to measure 5% of the ad space for a short text ad, so agree the wording with your reseller in advance and check it with a lawyer. In Yandex Direct, according to LPmotor (2022), the warning “There are contraindications. Consult a doctor” is added to medical ads automatically.
A practical approach is to write briefly and without promises: the service, the area or city, and how to book.
| Risky | Safer |
|---|---|
| “We’ll cure your back pain in 5 sessions” | “Neurologist appointments downtown, book online” |
| “Patients say: the pain is gone for good” | “MRI on weekends at a licensed clinic” |
| “Tired of extra weight?” | “Endocrinologist consultation, book via bot” |
| “The best dentist in town” | “Dental clinic near the metro, appointments without waiting” |
Where to send the traffic
Clinics usually use one of three entry points: a channel with useful content from doctors, a booking bot, or a website with online booking. Telegram’s rules require the landing page to match the ad text, work in the targeted region and not hide its content from moderators. The channel must be set up properly and have posts from the last two weeks.
A booking bot keeps the patient inside Telegram and gives the clinic a contact right away. How to build one is explained in Telegram Bot Lead Generation.
How to launch a clinic campaign: step by step
- Prepare a copy of the medical license listing addresses and activities: the reseller or moderators may ask for it.
- Choose a reseller that handles labeling and confirm it works with medical ads. See the resellers directory.
- Agree the wording of the contraindications warning.
- Write 3–5 ad variants without promised results, testimonials or “diagnoses”.
- Set up the channel or bot: description, avatar, recent posts, address and license in the description.
- Pick health-related and city channels, and launch a test with a small budget.
- Track bookings, not just clicks: you’ll need UTM tags or a pixel on your website.
What fines apply in Russia
Breaching Article 24’s requirements for medical services ads is punished under Part 5 of Article 14.3 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the Vitvet reference (updated May 21, 2026), fines are 2,000–2,500 rubles for individuals, 10,000–20,000 rubles for officials and sole proprietors, and 200,000–500,000 rubles for companies. Missing labeling is punished separately. Beyond fines, Telegram can reject ads or restrict the account for repeated rule violations.
FAQ
Can a clinic advertise in Telegram Ads?
Yes, if the clinic is licensed and the ad does not promise unproven effects, as clause 5.8 of the Telegram Ads rules requires. For a Russian audience, ads must also comply with Article 24 of Russia’s Advertising Law and be labeled.
Do I need a contraindications warning in Telegram Ads?
For medical services ads aimed at Russia, yes: Article 24 of the Advertising Law requires a warning about contraindications and the need to consult a specialist. Outside radio and TV it must take up at least 5% of the ad space. Agree the wording with your reseller and a lawyer.
Can I advertise dietary supplements in Telegram Ads?
No. The Telegram Ads rules list dietary supplements, herbal drugs and weight loss products among prohibited categories. Ads for them won’t pass moderation.
Can I use patient reviews in an ad?
Not in medical services ads aimed at Russia: the law bans patient gratitude and references to specific cures. You can publish reviews on the clinic’s website or channel, but not in the ad itself.
Can I advertise a pharmacy or medicines?
Over-the-counter medicines only within local law and with a properly registered seller. Telegram’s rules prohibit prescription medicines, and Russian law allows ads for them only at specialist events and in publications for medical professionals.
What is the fine for a medical ad without a warning in Russia?
Under Part 5 of Article 14.3 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, companies face 200,000–500,000 rubles, and officials and sole proprietors 10,000–20,000 rubles. Figures are from the Vitvet reference as of May 2026.
