BotSubscription Ultimate FAQ

The complete, universal go-to guide for everything related to BotSubscription. Whether you are a business owner setting up your first bot or a developer building custom integrations, you'll find your answers here.

📖 Chapter 1: The Basics

What is BotSubscription?

BotSubscription is an automated membership management platform for Telegram and Discord. It allows community owners to sell access to private channels, groups, and servers by automating the entire lifecycle: processing payments, generating invite links, assigning roles, and revoking access when subscriptions expire.

How does it work?

Connect: You add our bot to your Telegram/Discord and connect your own payment processor (like Stripe).
Configure: You define your subscription plans (e.g., "$10/month").
Automate: The bot handles everything else. It takes payments, gives users access, sends renewal reminders, and removes them if they stop paying.

Which platforms are supported?

We officially support Telegram (channels and groups) and Discord servers. You can manage both platforms from a single BotSubscription account.

Can I sell digital products other than memberships?

Yes! With the eGoods add-on, you can transform your Telegram bot into a digital storefront to sell e-books, software licenses, digital art, or courses.

💰 Chapter 2: Pricing & Fees

What is the cost of using BotSubscription?

We use a revenue-share model. There are no monthly subscriptions for the core service. You only pay a percentage of what you actually earn:

Free: €0 platform fees on your first €85 of monthly revenue.
Scaling: Once you exceed €85, fees start at 9% and drop as your volume increases (down to 1% for revenue over €5,000/month).

Are there any setup fees or hidden costs?

No. Creating an account, setting up your bot, and launching your first plan is free. You only pay for the revenue you process.

What are "Optional Add-ons"?

Some premium features have small monthly costs because they use specialized infrastructure:

AI Assistant: Usage-based (requires topping up a balance).
eGoods: €9.99/month.
Forms Builder: €3.50/month. These are strictly optional—you only pay if you enable them.

Do I pay fees on failed or test transactions?

No. Fees are only calculated on successful, completed payments. Sandbox/Test Mode transactions are always free.

🚀 Chapter 3: Setting Up Your Bot

How do I create my bot?

On Telegram: Use @BotFather to create a new bot and get an API Token.
In BotSubscription: Send that token to the BotSubscription bot to link it.
Dashboards: Use the /settings command inside your new bot to configure everything.

How do I connect the bot to my community?

Telegram: Add the bot as an Administrator to your channel or group. Ensure it has "Invite Users via Link" and "Delete Messages" permissions.
Discord: Link your server through the BotSubscription dashboard and ensure the bot's role is high enough to manage other roles.

Does the bot respond in public groups?

No. For security and to prevent payment details or invite links from being leaked, the bot only responds to private messages. If a user tries to use it in a group, it will remain silent to protect your business.

💳 Chapter 4: Payments & Checkout

Who holds my money?

You do. BotSubscription is not a payment middleman. Funds go directly from the member to your own account (Stripe, PayPal, or Crypto wallet). We never touch your funds.

Which payment methods are supported?

Stripe: Credit/Debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay. (Recommended)
PayPal: Traditional PayPal balances and cards.
Crypto: Via NOWPayments (Bitcoin, Ethereum, 200+ tokens) or manual verification.

What is the "Web Portal"?

It is a professional, customizable landing page (e.g., members.yourbrand.com) where users can browse your plans and subscribe via their web browser without needing to message the bot first. It’s included for free.

What is a Stripe Restricted Key?

It is a special API key that grants BotSubscription only the specific permissions it needs (like creating customers and processing charges). Using a Restricted Key is the most secure way to connect Stripe.

🔄 Chapter 5: Subscription Management

Does it support recurring billing?

Yes. If you use Stripe or PayPal, you can enable recurring subscriptions. The bot automatically charges the user every period (month/year) until they cancel.

How are memberships revoked?

When a subscription expires or a payment fails/is cancelled, the bot automatically removes the user from your Telegram channel or Discord server and strips their roles.

Can I offer trial memberships?

Yes, we support two types:

Free Trials: Immediate access for a limited time (e.g., 3 days) without payment info.
Paid Trials: Requires payment info upfront; the user is charged automatically when the trial ends (e.g., "7 days for $0, then $20/month").

Can I change prices for existing members?

Changing a plan's price only affects new subscribers. To change the price for existing members, you usually need to manage those subscriptions directly in your Stripe/PayPal dashboard or ask them to re-subscribe.

📣 Chapter 6: Marketing & Growth Tools

What is the Affiliate Program?

It allows your members to promote your community. They get a unique referral link; when someone joins using it, the affiliate earns a commission (percentage) that you define. You pay them after a "Due Period" (to allow for refunds/disputes).

How does the AI Assistant work?

You can train an AI on your own "Knowledge Base" (FAQs). When a customer asks a question, the AI responds on your behalf using your specific data. It understands multiple languages and can learn from your manual replies (Adaptive Learning).

What is a Broadcast?

The /broadcast command allows you to send a message to specific segments of your users (e.g., "all members," "only churned users," or "affiliates"). It’s perfect for newsletters or sales announcements.

Can I use Coupons?

Yes. You can create promo codes (e.g., "GET20OFF") that provide either a fixed discount or a percentage off the subscription price.

🛠 Chapter 7: Advanced Features

What is the Forms Builder?

It allows you to collect custom information from users (like their email, website username, or shipping address) before they can subscribe or access certain parts of your bot.

How does the Waiting List work?

If you set a "Customer Cap" (maximum number of members) and it's reached, users can join a Waiting List. When a spot opens up (someone leaves), the bot automatically notifies everyone on the list that a spot is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I enforce Age Verification?

Yes. You can set a minimum age requirement. Users must confirm they are above that age before they can interact with the bot or purchase a plan.

What is "Strict Access Control"?

This ensures that users who have been banned or have expired memberships are kicked immediately and cannot use any bot features until they have an active, valid subscription.

👥 Chapter 8: For Your Community (Customers)

How do my members join?

They message your bot, click "Subscribe", pick a plan, and pay. The bot then delivers a unique, one-time invite link or assigns a Discord role.

How can a customer cancel?

They message the bot and use the "My Subscriptions" menu. They can cancel anytime with a single click, and the bot handles the cancellation with the payment provider automatically.

Is there a support system?

Yes. If enabled, members can send a message to the bot to contact you. These messages appear in your Management Group, where you can reply directly to the user.

🖥 Chapter 9: Business Administration

How do I pay my platform fees?

Every month, the bot sends you a Usage Report with a breakdown of your earnings and the fee owed. You pay this via a simple payment link sent to your bot.

What happens if I don't pay the platform fee?

Your bot will be temporarily suspended after a 3-day grace period. Once the balance is settled, it is reactivated immediately.

Can I manage multiple bots/projects?

Yes. One BotSubscription account can manage multiple independent projects, each with its own bot, plans, and payment settings.

📲 Chapter 10: Migration & Portability

Can I migrate from InviteMember?

Yes! You can export your users.csv, payments.csv, and subscriptions.csv from InviteMember and simply forward them to your BotSubscription bot. It will automatically import your members and their data.

Can I use my existing Telegram bot?

Yes. If you already have a bot token from @BotFather, you can link it to BotSubscription. Your existing users will see the new menus as soon as they interact with the bot.

🛡 Chapter 11: Content Protection & Privacy

Can I prevent members from forwarding my content?

Yes. On Telegram, you can enable "Protected Content" (found in Group/Channel Info > Channel Type > Restrict Saving Content). This prevents message forwarding, copying, and screenshots.

Is there an Age Restriction?

Yes, you can set a global minimum age for your project. Users will be prompted to verify their age before they can see plans or make payments.

Are invite links secure?

Yes. BotSubscription generates unique, single-use invite links. Once a member uses their link, it becomes invalid, preventing them from sharing it with others.

💡 Chapter 12: Pro Tips & Hidden Gems

What are Chat Folders?

You can create a "Chat Folder" link that allows members to join multiple channels or groups with a single click. This is great if your subscription gives access to 5+ different channels.

Can I grant free access to collaborators (Access Tokens)?

Yes! You can generate Access Tokens (single-use links) to give free memberships to partners, giveaway winners, or offline payers. This doesn't cost you any platform fees.

Can I accept tips/donations?

Yes. You can enable a dedicated /donate command. This allows users to send tips or voluntary contributions without affecting their existing subscription.

What is the difference between "Cancellation" and "Termination"?

Cancellation: The user stays in the group until their paid time runs out, but they won't be charged again.
Termination: The user is kicked immediately, and their access is revoked right away (reserved for admins).

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