18: taking care of business

Facebook explores blockchain, expands reactions with Avatars, won’t advertise on dating service, tests possible subscription model, and develops image AI; Twitter encrypting DMs; Instagram business tools include ecommerce & CTAs; Story Song Stickers; beauty unit; WhatsApp integrates Facebook & Instagram videos; Pinterest on Hootsuite.

Facebook appoints new head of blockchain development, opening the door for potential cryptocurrency integrations or even creation; Avatars, spotted in Android app code, look a lot like Snapchat's Bitmoji, and could allow for a greater range of emotive reactions; dating service won't have ads; a possible ad-free subscription model is being tested; and image and object recognition AI has been using Instagram photos for training.

Twitter is working on secure, encrypted DMs.

Instagram has introduced powerful new business tools including integrated ecommerce and business messaging tools with direct calls to action; Android app may soon allow Song Stickers within Stories; new dedicated beauty partnership unit.

WhatsApp integrates Facebook & Instagram video viewability within the app, including picture-in-picture functionality.

Pinterest announces Hootsuite integration.

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