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Same here. It was a great place to advertise forums as well. https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/05/kevin-rose-and-alexis-ohanian-acquire-digg/ So why now? It’s a combination of reasons, according to Rose, who says that the existing social media landscape has become toxic, messy, and riddled with misinformation — and AI is well-placed to address that. Just the “out of the box stuff” is “insane,” Rose observes, noting there are “Google endpoints already where I don’t even have to mess with a model at all, where I can get sub 200 millisecond response times on any comment under about 300 characters and rated across 20 plus different vectors of of sentiment, so violence, toxicity, hate speech — you name it. Like, that just wasn’t possible five years ago.” More broadly, says Rose, “We’re at this other inflection point around AI and what it can do. And when you think about these big shifts, they require you to go and step back and revisit first principles and think about how you might change [a business] from the ground up, and that’s what Alexis and I and Justin [Mezzell],” who is a longtime collaborator of Rose and now Digg’s CEO, will be doing, he said. Ohanian echoes Rose’s sentiments in a press release about the new Digg. “Online communities thrive when there’s a balance between technology and human judgment,” he said. “We’re bringing Digg back to ensure that balance exists. Kevin and I are here to build something better than what social platforms are offering today. AI should handle the grunt work in the background while humans focus on what they do best: building real connections.” Ohanian, for his part, has dipped in and out of Reddit over time. He first left the company in 2009 before returning as its chairman in 2014 and then stepped down from the boardaltogether in 2020. Both Rose and Ohanian have invested in other companies through the years, both as individuals and through institutional funds. Just this week, Ohanian joined Frank McCourt’s bid to buy TikTok’s U.S. business. Their parallel paths as investors have now converged, with True Ventures, where Rose as a general partner, and Ohanian’s venture firm Seven Seven Six, both investing in Digg. While Mezzell, a veteran product designer, will lead the company’s day-to-day operations, Rose will serve as Digg’s chairperson and adviser, and Ohanian will sit on the board. A new version of the Digg platform is launching soon. Invites will be rolled out in the coming weeks. In the meantime, noted Rose, there is now a landing page that allows people to input their email. “Then there will be kind of a first come, first served [system] for user name picking and things of that nature,” says Rose. “We’re not spammers,” he continues. “We’re not going to sign you up to some crazy weekly digest or some s—. If you just go over there and input it in your credentials — your email — then we’ll just let you know when it’s live, and you can come grab a user name, kick the tires, tell us where we’re messing up, and and we promise to fast follow and fix all that stuff.” Even then, says Rose, don’t expect too much straightaway. Turnarounds take time. “Where we’re really going is, a year, year and a half from now, is when you come to Digg, it’s going to be very much more like the leap that happened to Figma, where it’s free form, it’s dynamic, it’s an interface that is unlike any other that you’ve seen,” says Rose. “It’s not your old-school forums.”

I’ve been reading a lot more books lately, especially some that were written by Benjamin Smith and Proust. I plan on reading at least 30-35 new books this year.

I don’t. I have close to 2,000 friends on facebook though. But they’re mainly all my friends and family members. Congratulations on hitting the 5k limit!

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Digg – once known as “the homepage of the internet” – is making a come-back, after being bought by its co-founder Kevin Rose in partnership with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. It’s an interesting move given that Reddit was a competitor who pretty much inherited that “homepage of the web” accolade. Also ‘interesting’ is the pair’s belief that most moderation can be done by AI … [HEADING=1]A quick guide to Digg[/HEADING] For those not old enough to have used it, Digg was essentially a social news site. Both editors and users could post links, and users would then upvote them (“digg”) or downvote them (“bury”). A key feature was that other sites could embed those digg buttons, allowing users to vote on links even without visiting the site itself. Digg was so influential that even larger sites could find themselves unable to cope with the traffic resulting from a link making it to the top of the homepage. The site was essentially killed by a combination of an unpopular update, widespread manipulation, and the growing popularity of Facebook – whose Like and Share buttons proved more popular. In 2012, the company was broken up and sold for parts. [HEADING=1]Digg is returning[/HEADING] The New York Times reports that Digg co-founder has bought the domain and other assets, and is planning to relaunch it with the assistance of Alexis Ohanian. [HEADING=1]Most moderation will be done by AI[/HEADING] It’s not known how much they paid, nor is it entirely clear what the USP will be, but The Vergereports that – unlike Reddit – they believe human moderators are largely unnecessary. [HEADING=1]You can sign up for early access[/HEADING] The domain is live, and you can register your email address to be given early access once it relaunches. What’s your view? Do you think there’s a place for a revamped Digg, or has that time come and gone? Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/05/digg-is-returning-thanks-to-digg-and-reddit-co-founders-kevin-rose-and-alexis-ohanian/

Rey invited me.

Google continues to lose ground among younger generations, with 61% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials using AI tools instead of Google or other traditional search engines. That’s according to a new Vox Media survey. Why we care. We continue to see early signs that Google search may be starting to slip – from Google’s market share dropping below 90% for the first time since 2015 to other surveys indicating searchers are frustrated with search quality. Things are changing rapidly – from the rise of AI answer engines and generative engine optimization, to the growth of social platforms for discovery (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest). Many brands and marketers are still adjusting to these shifts. By the numbers. When it comes to Google Search: 76% said that more than a quarter of Google Search shopping results appear to “be sponsored or promoted.” Only 14% described these sponsored or promoted results as “very helpful.” 42% said Google and search engines are becoming less useful. 55% said they get information from their community more than online search platforms. 52% said they use AI chatbots or alternative platforms (e.g., TikTok) for information instead of Google. 66% said the quality of information is deteriorating, making it difficult to find reliable sources. What they’re saying. According to a Verge slideshow summarizing the survey’s findings: “Legacy tech (e.g. Google) and social platforms are rapidly losing ground as trust and authenticity fades, with more people flocking to AI chatbots, niche communities, and platforms like TikTok. This signals a massive shift and opens the door for disruptive entrants that can offer more authentic, trusted experiences.” About the data. Vox Media partnered with Two Cents Insights to conduct the survey, collecting responses from more than 2,000 U.S. adults in December. Survey: https://www.theverge.com/press-room/617654/internet-community-future-research Source: https://searchengineland.com/google-search-less-useful-survey-452700

Welcome to the community! [mention=576]Collectreport[/mention]

The Qualities of an Authentic Leader in Online Communities: Why They Matter Leadership isn’t just about holding a position or having a title. It’s about the way you engage with others and the qualities you embody. In an online community, whether it’s a forum, a social group, or any collaborative platform, authentic leadership plays a crucial role in building trust, fostering engagement, and maintaining a positive atmosphere. 1. Owning Mistakes and Being Accountable An authentic leader isn’t afraid to admit when they’ve made a mistake. They embrace accountability, acknowledge their errors, and learn from them. This honesty helps build trust and shows that they’re human, just like everyone else. In an online community, if something goes wrong — whether it’s a technical issue, a policy mistake, or something more personal, being transparent about it and taking responsibility helps maintain credibility. Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them can define your leadership. 2. Open to Others’ Ideas Authentic leaders are always willing to listen. They recognize that great ideas don’t come from one person; they can come from anywhere within the community. Being receptive to others’ input is what makes a leader approachable and relatable. In any online community, open dialogue is key. Members want to feel heard, and when leaders create space for new ideas — whether it’s about community rules, features, or even content — it boosts engagement and helps the community evolve. 3. Making the Tough Decisions An authentic leader understands that sometimes, making the best decision means disappointing people. It’s not about being popular, but about doing what’s best for the community. A strong leader is willing to make difficult calls when necessary. In an online community, this might mean enforcing rules that some members disagree with, removing problematic content, or even making changes that don’t sit well with everyone. It’s important to balance community desires with what’s best for the group’s overall health. 4. Giving Credit Where It’s Due An authentic leader never takes credit for others’ work. They recognize and celebrate the contributions of all members, showing appreciation where it’s earned. In an online community, whether someone creates great content, offers helpful advice, or contributes to the growth of the group, giving public recognition fosters a sense of belonging and motivates continued involvement. Acknowledging others’ efforts is a simple yet powerful tool for creating an inclusive environment. The Best Thing About an Authentic Leader: The best thing about an authentic leader is the trust they build. People are more likely to engage, contribute, and stick around in communities where they feel their leader is honest, open, and fair. Trust doesn’t strengthen the leaders role; it strengthens the entire community. How do you think these traits of authentic leadership translate to online communities? Whether it’s a forum, a social media group, or any other platform, how do leaders make a difference in fostering a healthy, engaging space? Do you feel like authentic leadership is essential for community growth, or do you think other qualities come into play more? For more leadership qualities regarding authenticity, Benjamin Smith touched based on a lot of these things in one of his books “ “Leadership Discover the Qualities of Leaders and How to Use Them in Your Own Life for Ultimate Success”

I’ve seen some forums using AI chatbots to respond to user topics, and I think that’s a disconnected way to build an online community. It sets a bad precedent for the community as well. I believe this method won’t help the community in the long run and could alienate the entire forum-building process, especially since it removes the human element that makes communities thrive.

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Welcome aboard!

I manage my site on my mobile phone. I’m able to do most of the tasks via my phone, but if I can’t, I tend to ask someone to help me out. Somethings are hard to do via mobile, especially editing templates as the screen is smaller.

That depends where you’re promoting and if it follows the subreddits rules. That’s why it’s important to read to rules prior to posting links. You could also make your own subreddit and your links won’t get removed 😉

I don’t compare them. User generated posts will win everytime.

you can request deletion depending on the forum. If you’d like you could also file a legal complaint against that forum. Especially depending on your state’s laws or country laws.

I completely agree. One of the easiest ways to kickstart growth is by showing appreciation to the members who actively help spread the word. Even something as simple as a thank you thread or a small reward for referrals can go a long way. It’s also smart to provide promotional graphics like banners, buttons, or even forum signatures that your members can use to link back to your community. A lot of people underestimate how effective this is — the more visible your forum becomes across the web, the more organic traffic you’ll attract. At the end of the day, visibility is everything. If people can’t find you, they can’t join you. That’s why it’s so important to promote consistently, especially in places where your target audience already hangs out. When you combine that with strong word of mouth, it creates a natural snowball effect where members invite their friends, and those friends bring even more people in. Word of mouth is powerful — but only if you give people something worth talking about.

There are several ways to improve your site’s performance, making it faster for users while keeping your server load low. Key methods include implementing a caching system, using a CDN, tweaking backend files, and more. For example, you can enable header caching in your .htaccess file, or activate Gzip or Brotli compression. Both compression methods reduce file sizes before sending them to the browser, which speeds up load times and saves bandwidth by transferring smaller files. You could also implement Redis or Memcached on your backend to further improve speed and performance. What are some of your favorite ways to boost your site’s speed? Do you lean more toward caching, optimizing images, offloading to a CDN — or something else entirely?

They’ll be fine. Every single forum requires email verification. Social media sites require it as well.

It’s possible to edit the size of the logo by directly adjusting the logo size by adding CSS to the site’s theme. Just Select the theme you are using and click on Edit CSS/HTML. In the Common > CSS section, add something like this: .d-header .title img { max-height: 80px; /* or whatever size you want */ width: auto; } If the logo shrinks too much on mobile, then you can add this: @media (max-width: 768px) { .d-header .title img { max-height: 60px; } } however, the width and height may need to be adjusted.

Users should always have to verify their account to access the forum, especially with their email.

They’re not becoming common. It’s only happening on some forums, not everywhere.

Webmasterworld isn’t a free community. They charge for a membership.

As long as you’re making it your own, that’s what really matters. It doesn’t have to be the most professional theme out there , what counts is that it’s your creation, and you’re having fun with it. That personal touch is what makes it special.