# Channel engagement-total recipe

A calculation contract for summing one Telegram metric across measured posts while reporting exclusions and representative evidence correctly.

## Calculation

- Mode: engagement_totals
- Formula: SUM(latest captured selected_metric) grouped by source across measured logical posts in the requested publication interval.

## Query

For [selected channels] from [start] to [end], sum [reactions_total, views, or forwards] across every logical post with a captured value. Return channel totals, measured-post counts, missing coverage, and one highest-contributing cited post per channel. Explain that each citation is an example, not proof of the whole sum.

## Inputs

- **Channels:** The exact selected source set included in the aggregation.
- **Metric:** One captured counter used consistently across all posts.
- **Period:** Shared publication start and exclusive end boundaries.
- **Coverage decision:** How excluded posts affect the intended comparison.

## Expected output

- Per-channel metric sum
- Measured post count
- Missing-post coverage
- Descending channel order
- Representative cited post

## Coverage checks

- [ ] Never replace missing values with zero
- [ ] Never present a top-post value as the channel total
- [ ] Deduplicate Telegram albums
- [ ] State that latest snapshot ages can differ
- [ ] Do not imply audience normalization