Kevin Rose’s Digg Reboot Faces Layoffs Amidst Bot Problem
Digg, the once-popular link-sharing site rebooted by Kevin Rose, is undergoing layoffs as the company struggles to combat a pervasive bot issue. While the startup is not shutting down, CEO Justin Mezzell announced that a significant portion of the staff will be let go as Rose shifts his focus back to Digg full-time.
Rose will continue to serve as an advisor at True Ventures but will prioritize his efforts on revitalizing Digg.
Originally envisioned as a platform offering a fresh take on community forums for sharing links, media, and engaging in discussions, Digg faced challenges early on with bot activity. Mezzell acknowledged the prevalence of bots on the internet, complicating the company’s efforts to maintain authentic user interactions.
The company’s attempts to combat bot spam through account bans, internal tools, and external assistance proved insufficient. With user votes being essential for content ranking, the presence of bots undermined the credibility of these votes.
Mezzell highlighted the broader issue of bots on the internet, emphasizing the need for a collective response to this challenge.
In addition to the bot problem, Digg also struggled to compete with established rivals like Reddit, facing significant obstacles in gaining traction in the space.
While the exact number of layoffs was not disclosed, Digg plans to regroup with a smaller team to reimagine the platform as something “genuinely different.” The Digg app has been removed from the App Store, and the layoff announcement is currently the only content on the website. However, the Diggnation podcast hosted by Rose will continue.
Last year, Rose and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian acquired Digg with the goal of empowering communities with more control and ownership. The buyout involved True Ventures, Seven Seven Six (Ohanian’s firm), Rose, Ohanian, and venture firm S32.
Details on funding for the acquisition were not disclosed, and Digg was not available for immediate comment.
