Digg Relaunches as Founders Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian Join Forces

Kevin Rose, the original founder of Digg, has announced the relaunch of the platform in partnership with Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. This collaboration marks a significant return for Digg, which once competed vigorously with Reddit as a primary destination for online communities. The newly-relaunched Digg is currently in open beta, inviting users to explore its revamped features.

History of Digg and Reddit

Founded in 2004, Digg quickly established itself as a popular site for sharing news and content. However, after reaching its peak, a series of missteps led to its decline. By 2012, Digg had been fragmented, with parts sold to various companies including Betaworks, LinkedIn, and the Washington Post. In 2025, Rose took the initiative to buy back Digg, reuniting it with its original vision.

Ohanian’s involvement adds a unique perspective, as he brings experiences from Reddit’s growth and challenges. The two founders’ backgrounds in community-driven platforms suggest that Digg aims to recapture its former glory while learning from past mistakes.

New Features and Community Focus

The relaunch of Digg introduces an interface that will be familiar to users of Reddit, with communities organized around various interests. Participants can post content, comment, and engage with others in a similar manner to what they might expect from Reddit.

To distinguish itself in a crowded social media landscape, the new Digg plans to tackle some of the pressing issues that have emerged in online communities. Rose and Ohanian are focusing on reducing toxicity and combating the proliferation of bots that have become a significant concern across social platforms.

One innovative approach involves leveraging technologies like zero-knowledge proofs for user verification. This method aims to enhance the credibility of users without compromising their privacy. Additionally, the platform is considering implementing proof-of-ownership requirements, where users wishing to join certain product-focused communities must demonstrate ownership of the relevant items.

As Digg opens its beta phase, it invites users seeking an alternative to mainstream platforms to explore its offerings. With its new strategies and a commitment to fostering healthier online interactions, Digg hopes to carve out its niche in today’s digital world.

For those interested in participating, registration for the open beta is available on Digg’s official website. The success of this relaunch will depend on its ability to retain user interest and effectively address the challenges that have plagued social media in recent years.