It goes without saying that we are fans of Digg, but to a degree. We've felt for some time that Digg doesn't really cater to small niche communities, and that's why we started Apple Blotter, a social news and media site for all things Apple (i.e. iPod, iPhone, MacBooks etc.). While Digg does do a lot with its algorithm, the content is very broad on the home page and we feel that there's a need for a small and more focused community -- hence why we launched our blotter websites. Of course, this is early stage for us, but we're improving our technology and websites constantly. Any feedback you have is welcomed! - Mike
@rdeal1
· 10 months ago
^overmind, thats true, it is important to be social, hopefully people will understand that, but thanks for bringing it up just in case :)
Evan
· 10 months ago
Great. Thanks for posting. Good advise. I'm going to implement as much as possible. Saw it on Twitter!
Smiling
· 10 months ago
Helpful article, Ryan, submitted to Digg. But one flaw: "And don’t forget to Digg the comments of other users; if you do, they’re likely to check out your profile and possibly add you as a friend or connect with you off-site." If I'm right, Digg doesn't show you who dugg your comments, except for those you've added as a friend - which means, for someone to know that you dugg their comment, they should already have added you as a friend, in the first place.
@rdeal1
· 10 months ago
^Smiling, you caught me with that digging comments thing, i always like to check mine to see which of my friends are reciprocating the help i give to them, plus i like to see which of my friends i have things in common with, which i can somewhat judge by how they favorite submissions and digg comments
Sherman Boyd
· 10 months ago
"Things that are natural: diggs from various sources (IM link, email link, digg from an upcoming page, and from a digg button on the page of the actual content)."
I'm pretty sure the Digg admins don't consider IM links natural, even if they get counted that way. It's considered a violation of the TOS and can get you banned:
^Sherman, good point... im not recommending sending links to all your friends to game the system, but if you've found something on Digg that you want to share with a friend over IM, theres nothing wrong with that.
Maybe i should have said... "if used correctly, the following things can be considered natural"
Sherman Boyd
· 10 months ago
Oh and great article! I haven't been using the toolbar as I jumped on the Google Chrome bandwagon for a while, but I recently made a hasty retreat to Firefox. As you say, the toolbar is very useful.
Chris Swain
· 10 months ago
Great article Ryan & thanks for the heads up on the Firefox tool bar. I really like what Smiling Says about Digging comments. That's a great idea.
Simon
· 10 months ago
I've had a Digg account for a while but never really got into it. You've inspired me to try again. Installed toolbar, but finding friends looks a bit time-consuming. It would be great if there was some way of importing contacts from other social networks, as hardly any of my regular email contacts use Digg.
Matt Davies
· 10 months ago
Top digg tip - it's all about the seriously BAD puns when you're making a comment. For some reason they lap it up. Fine example - go to any story about sex in "odd" and drop a comment about it being a "sticky situation", and watch your comment get a load of diggs. I also find quotes from South Park and Family Guy go down quite well. Basically, the more puerile you can make your comment, the better.
Anand
· 10 months ago
This article is soo 2006..I last read an article on how to make use of Digg to get traffic back in 2007 I think..
Evan
· 10 months ago
Yes but there are a few people like me that never got totally into Digg and this helped...
Dare
· 10 months ago
This is especially good for beginners from an experienced user on digg. If you go on digg consistently let's say for 10 days with the mindset of discovering how to build a power profile you'll learn this stuff too. Well I knew all of the stuff here and I got to say it's a great starting point it took me some time to realize this. Just follow the steps this guy gave you and you'll be way into achieving your goal.
Football Rumours
· 10 months ago
Thanks guy, this is really useful.
Jim Caruso
· 10 months ago
Good, direct advice.
Don Draper
· 10 months ago
Mostly good advice, but I'd stay away from ever shouting. The evidence is pretty good that shouting your own submission puts up a heavy roadblock to getting to the front page in the algorithm.
Instead, build a list of people that you can email/IM/etc when you need diggs and do the same for them. It's an offsite shout -- which will look like natural activity to Digg. Guess where you can find that list? Most power users place a method of contacting them right in their profile. It's there for a reason.
When you message someone to digg your submission, don't send them to the Digg page to vote, send them to the article to hit the Digg This button. Votes that come in without a referrer (like email/IM) are heavily discounted. Votes that come from the article look completely natural.
Barbara
· 10 months ago
Ryan, Thanks for the wonderful article I am education myself about this and everything Web 2.0 (just figured out what that meant last month) so that I can get more visibility for nonprofits in Albuquerque. I will get you on my reader list.
Lars Schlossbauer
· 10 months ago
Great article and a great reason to get back to Digg after forgetting how powerful this platform is.
Melissa
· 10 months ago
Thanks for posting this! I was trying to find some good detail on using social bookmarking sites. Great resource!
Melissa
Cymberly
· 10 months ago
So, what is better? Digg or del.icio.us?
John Sternal
· 10 months ago
Any thoughts on choosing the right people you don't know (yes, strangers) on Digg you should try and add as friends so you can start digging each others' posts?
Olga
· 10 months ago
Ryan, thanks for great tips. I shall try to follow your advice.
All Comments
If I'm right, Digg doesn't show you who dugg your comments, except for those you've added as a friend - which means, for someone to know that you dugg their comment, they should already have added you as a friend, in the first place.
I'm pretty sure the Digg admins don't consider IM links natural, even if they get counted that way. It's considered a violation of the TOS and can get you banned:
http://www.twocell.com/phoenix/?p=3
Maybe i should have said... "if used correctly, the following things can be considered natural"
Instead, build a list of people that you can email/IM/etc when you need diggs and do the same for them. It's an offsite shout -- which will look like natural activity to Digg. Guess where you can find that list? Most power users place a method of contacting them right in their profile. It's there for a reason.
When you message someone to digg your submission, don't send them to the Digg page to vote, send them to the article to hit the Digg This button. Votes that come in without a referrer (like email/IM) are heavily discounted. Votes that come from the article look completely natural.
Thanks for the wonderful article I am education myself about this and everything Web 2.0 (just figured out what that meant last month) so that I can get more visibility for nonprofits in Albuquerque.
I will get you on my reader list.
Melissa
thanks!
Bargainillion