Segmentation and Fragmentation the Case of Telegram Channels

Abstract

In this paper, the authors examine the concepts of segmentation and fragmentation, the Telegram messenger and Telegram channels. In addition, the authors hypothesize that both concepts are present in the Telegram messenger and are used by various Telegram channels. The relevance of this hypothesis and the extent to which the concepts of fragmentation and segmentation are applicable to Telegram channels are then examined. The empirical basis for this paper is telegram channels and data on telegram channels that we obtained using a telegram channel analytics service called TGStat. The following telegram channels served as examples to support our hypothesis: we considered “Mash” and “Карточный Домик” telegram channels as examples of segmentation, “Meduza” (see the Notes) and “PeachBlossom” channels were analyzed to study fragmentation, and Lenta and “Осторожно” telegram channels served as examples of both audience segmentation and fragmentation. We consider this area promising for further more in-depth research.