They are emojis. If you have Windows 10 you can simply push the Windows button and the 'period' button on your keyboard at the same time and a small dialog box pops up with a large selection of emojis, including all sorts of faces and facial expressions. Your browser will code them similar to regular text characters - 'a' '4' etc.
I will pm you on the other matter. ;^)
I am clinging to Win 7 like a tick.
I see .👍🤞🙌😜🛴╰(*°▽°*)╯®૱
τᾚὰᾖKś