Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian, two of the biggest names in early social media, are making headlines again. The former competitors—Rose, who founded Digg, and Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit—have bought back Digg and have a bold plan to reshape how people connect online.
After years of watching social platforms drift further into chaos, the duo is stepping in to bring something different to the table. They aren’t looking to build just another content feed filled with noise. Instead, they want to bring back the internet’s golden age, when discovery, discussion, and community actually meant something.
What’s Happening to Digg?
Digg, once the go-to site for finding trending news, launched in 2004 and quickly became a powerhouse. It let users upvote (or “digg”) and downvote (“bury”) stories, deciding what got seen. At its peak, 40 million users relied on it as their homepage.
Then, things changed. Rose sold Digg in 2012, its most valuable assets were scooped up by LinkedIn, and what was left faded into the background. The internet moved on.
Now, with Ohanian by his side, Rose says the timing is right to bring it back. And this time, AI will play a big role in making the platform easier to use while keeping the focus on people—not just algorithms.
The Plan: Less Spam, More Substance
If there’s one thing Rose and Ohanian know well, it’s online communities. They’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and how things can spiral out of control.
Their goal? Take the best parts of old-school social media, mix in new technology, and cut out the worst of what platforms have become. That means:
- Less spam, more meaningful conversations. AI will help filter out junk, making sure real voices get heard.
- More control for users and moderators. Communities should be run by the people who care about them—not just by algorithms deciding what’s “trending.”
- A fresh take on news and discovery. Digg was once a trusted source for finding what mattered online. Rose and Ohanian want to bring that back.
“We’re not here to build another Reddit or Facebook,” Ohanian said. “People want real conversations, not endless fights over nonsense. AI can handle the boring parts—moderators and users should be in control of the rest.”
Who’s Backing This?
This isn’t just two old friends working on a passion project. Digg’s relaunch is backed by True Ventures (known for Fitbit, Peloton, and BlueSky) and Seven Seven Six, Ohanian’s firm, which has invested in everything from space startups to esports teams.
Justin Mezzell, a veteran product designer who’s worked with Google, Facebook, and Twitter, will step in as CEO. The board will include Rose, Ohanian, Mezzell, and True Ventures partner Tony Conrad.
What’s Next?
The new Digg won’t launch overnight, but invites will start rolling out soon. Rose and Ohanian are taking their time to get it right, talking with community leaders and testing features before opening the floodgates.
They’re even bringing back some old-school Digg nostalgia. On March 8, 2025, Rose and longtime Diggnation co-host Alex Albrecht will host a live show in Austin, TX, featuring Tim Ferriss and other guests.
For anyone who remembers the early days of social media—or just wants an alternative to the platforms running today’s internet—Digg’s comeback might be something worth watching.
Now if they would just bring back my old Digg account, which was, of course, “bhartzer’.
