The week in social: Messenger encryption, Economist on Snapchat, and YouTube disclosure

Twitter cross-pollinates Periscope profiles

In an effort to create more visibility around Periscope, Twitter now features links to Periscope profiles on Twitter user’s profiles, if they have an account with the live streaming service. The link to the profile sits just above the Vine loops statistic, which also links to that user’s Vine profile if they have that service. Presently this only shows up on the web version of Twitter, and the news was announced in a Tweet by Periscope.

More information on Twitter.

Facebook Messenger now allows encrypted conversations

Following in the footsteps of another Facebook owned messaging service WhatsApp, the stand-alone Facebook Messenger now allows encrypted conversations. Facebook has positioned the feature as “secret conversations” and users have to opt into it. The latest updates of the app on Android and iOS do not explain the feature in the change log specifically, but it is available in the settings menu.

More information on Wired.

Facebook launches a new marketplace

Facebook has just introduced a new method for users to connect with each other and buy and sell items, called Marketplace. According to the company, over 450 million people visit buy and sell Groups on the service every month. Within the mobile app, there will now be shop button that users can click to go straight into Marketplace. Features of Marketplace include being able to see items that are available near the user, and making offers that open up a private messaging thread. For sellers, photos and a description can be uploaded seamlessly straight from the mobile app.

YouTube introduces new disclosure feature for paid influencer content

As rules around disclosure for paid promotion content coming from influencers on social tightens, social networks are introducing new tools to help make it easier for marketers to make sure they are covered. YouTube now has a new feature, which shows a caption on the bottom lefthand side of a video next to the play-bar that will read “Includes paid promotion”. The caption can also be added to any pre-existing videos without changing the contents of the video of metrics previously accrued, such as views.

LinkedIn now features product and service reviews

A new feature aimed at helping users get more B2B-related product information, LinkedIn has partnered with G2 Crowd, IT Central Station, and TrustRadius, to provide professional reviews of products and service straight within the news feed. The partnership integrates the sites with LinkedIn, so reviews can be shared and will appear as native posts in-feed. The reviews will also be searchable through LinkedIn. On an official post from LinkedIn, it claimed that 67% of buyers use online reviews for decision-making.

Facebook introduces new ad campaign planning tool

A new tool that is meant to make it easier for advertisers to plan Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns, the company has introduced the Campaign Planner. It allows users to create a plan, predict the reach and frequency it will serve, compare different versions of plans, and also share plans with other people in a Facebook Business Manager.

More information on Social Times.

WhatsApp debuts new camera features for messages

A host of new editing tools for photos and features captured to be shared on WhatsApp have now been made available. Among these include the ability to write and draw on photos, as well as add emoji. These are features that are already prominent among other messaging services, such as Snapchat. Text that is added can also be changed to different colors and fonts to make each message more expressive. Users can also take advantage of front-facing flash for more color-accurate selfie pictures.

The Economist will publish weekend stories on Snapchat Discover

The Economist is starting its own Discover Channel that will publish new stories on weekends, in an effort to attract attention from a younger demographic. Known primarily for business and political news, The Economist weekend stories will feature 14 different pieces of content, as well as four slots for advertising in full-screen vertical video. Goldman Sachs will be the first advertiser, which would be considered a proper match to many.

More information on Social Times.