Pinterest gets private messaging feature

Pinterest is looking to keep its users engaged in the site with a new private messaging feature integrated into the service. To access private messaging on Pinterest, users have to start a conversation by sending a Pin to another user that also comes with a message. You can then continue your conversation without using Pins after that. It is also possible to send group messages this way.

Pinterest is hoping this would help users plan events or other things in the future. “This is different from other messaging platforms because conversations are around a Pin and are focused on planning something for the future,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to press. It doesn’t really matter how you plan on using this feature but it would seem Pinterest just wants to make sure you stay engaged on their platform longer.

Source: Re/code

Twitter takes out option to receive direct messages from non-followers

Twitter introduced a new feature last month that allows you to receive direct messages from any follower. Now, The Next Web reported the social network site quietly took out the feature. The attention to improving DMs supports rumors that Twitter plans to release a standalone app for messaging.

I asked Twitter why the "accept DMs from anyone" feature is gone, and all I got was a link to this post: https://t.co/HMfDnHiEn6

— Mathew Ingram (@mathewi) November 18, 2013