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WTF Digg? Try Valuing The Users That Make The Community.

Posted on 01.25.08 8:36PM under Digg

So, for the last few days there’s been news of a Digg revolt. Some of the top users on Digg have been complaining, and organizing an “almost boycott” against Digg because of changes they have made recently. The story of the revolt actually made it in the New York Times.

So, interestingly enough, the CEO of Digg says there was no revolt and that a handfull of users does not a revolt make. Okay, so maybe the 150 users who became a part of the discussion don’t amount to a hill of beans in the big picture. However, there are many more of us disgruntled Digg users who did not have the opportunity to chime in at the “meeting.”

I really don’t care that they’ve changed how many Diggs it takes to get to the front page. That doesn’t bother me because I generally have had enough Diggs on my stuff to make it to the front page anyway - unless I got buried.

To me, the buries are the problem. Well, not exactly the buries, but the fact that they are not transparent. You can’t see who is shooting you down or for what reason. I don’t think there’s another social network that I participate in that operates that way. If people want to bury, fine, but be accountable for the buries. That might stop the obvious abuse that is happening.

There are approximately 6 or 7 branded domains, among many others, that I had been submitting stories from to Digg. Those branded domains are now blocked by Digg, although the previously submitted stories were not removed.

Before my submissions from these domains started to be buried on sight by abusive users, the stories from these domains were very popular and generated intelligent discussion. Then, suddenly, I guess I got noticed. By who, I have no idea because the bury process is cloaked. After becoming noticed, none of my stories from this group of branded domains went popular because once they reached the brink of popularity, they were buried.

Also, please note that the stories submitted from these domains were high quality, professionally written, timely news items with the bulk of advertising removed from the pages. I have written to Digg twice about the fact that I was apparently on auto-bury (which they say doesn’t exist) or that I was being abused by a group of haters. No reply.

I also wrote to Digg after not being able to submit any stories from these domains anymore. No reply.

I was a very active Digg user up until a few days ago. Not just with my 1-2x per week submissions, but by actively checking out, supporting the work of others and commenting as well. I think, judging by the popularity of my submissions, that my stories were well received and of interest to the Digg community. However, they apparently don’t want my contributions to the community anymore.

I could understand having domains blacklisted if I had spammed the system. But I didn’t. I was very cautious, did not do rapid fire submissions and limited my occasional submissions to only the highest quality stories that I truly thought would be well received in the community. And had it not been for the bury brigade, they would have been.

So, ok Digg. You say you will begin to communicate with us. I’m waiting.

If you don’t want me anymore, that’s ok, I’d just appreciate a valid reason for being rejected. If auto-bury doesn’t exist, fine. The bury brigade does exist, and they are abusive. Do something about it if you’d like to carry on with a community of shiny, happy Diggers.

I’ll just hold my breath and wait for you to answer at least one of my emails.

Tags: abuse, abusive, auto bury, buried, buries, bury brigade, Digg, Digg revolt, stories, submissions

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Read Comments

Posted by Deborah on 01.25.08 9:57 pm

Much of what went on that night has been skewed and directed ONLY at the issue of the changes made to the algo, and that it affects only the top diggers. This is not the case. Even the New York Times got it wrong by not researching or knowing all of the facts. It affects ALL users, which is what was trying to be driven in the ‘message’ to Digg.

This has taken the forefront in all that’s being discussed about the so-called ‘revolt.’

What’s not being brought to light or given much focus is everything else that diggers collectively had concerns about, some of which is what you’re adressing here.

Kevin and Jay concurred at the live podcast that there was no such thing as auto-buries. Whether that’s true or not, not all seem to swallow it. But I believe the non-transparencies of buries is the major key player in what has affected these reputable sites.

There is definitely abuse of the bury system. If one had to he held accountable for their thumbs down, and even banned for obvious and apparent abuse I believe it would be greatly reduced.

The largest factor in all that’s been addressed in this ‘revolt’ is the lack of communication on many levels, including bannings. This is what’s been promised to diggers — better communication, and a platform where all can address their concerns, be heard, and receive answers — and soon.
Posted by Snark on 01.25.08 11:39 pm

Deborah,

Thanks for your comment. I hope that the issue of auto-bury and/or the bury brigade is addressed and I hope they will make good on their promise to communicate.

The lack of communication is what makes Digg worthless to me at the moment, and that’s a shame because I had really enjoyed participating there.
Posted by WordsnCollision on 01.26.08 12:31 pm

I couldn’t agree more, and i’ve stopped submitting new content to Digg until i see some movement on the Bury issue. Most of my submissions are standard news items yet every blog post i’ve submitted since September is buried. Many made front page in the months before, so what - or WHO - is different? Who knows… and that is the crux of the biscuit.

Digg states that the identity of those who bury must be kept confidential to avoid flame wars. That’s like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer. Are there flame wars at Mixx or Shoutwire? No. The trolls at Digg who are likely responsible for a huge number of buries daily have few or no friends, make few or no submissions, and limit their activity - VISIBLE activity, that is - to making negative comments on other people’s submissions. It’s impossible to retaliate against these trolls, and Digg’s policies give them free reign at the expense of those who actually submit posts.

Digg, make up your mind - who is more valuable to you, the posters or the trolls?
Posted by Eric on 01.26.08 8:50 pm

A lot of people are leaving digg right now anyway to places like www.mixx.com, www.propeller.com, www.linkbin.com, www.reddit.com and a slew of other similar communities. That’s the great thing about the internet, there is always something to replace a site if it stops listening to its users.
Posted by Snark on 01.27.08 3:07 am

Words: Very well put. I agree completely.

Eric: I love Mixx, Stumble and I’m getting acquainted with Newsvine as well.

I’m gnomey on Digg, but usually AbsolutelyTrue everywhere else. Oddly, AbsolutelyTrue was taken when I registered at Digg.

So, look me up on the other networks!
Posted by Lunatic Lodge on 01.29.08 2:06 am

New to Digg. But I’m hearing similar stories elsewhere. So I do believe your post here.

Digg is strange set-up anyway… I have to run around to 1,000 users and ‘beg them to digg my story’. I’ve become quite familiar with the shout box already. I never get “How are you today?” “How’s the Weather Your Way?” or even a “YOU SUCK!” It’s always a new digg me! - just like a dog begging for a bone!

I’ll hang with digg awhile - but I’m not sure how I feel about yet.

PS… you now have a new reader via email!
Posted by FatLester on 02.13.08 1:36 am

Why no “add to Mixx” button in the ’share and enjoy’ section of the post? Please consider adding one. Your Mixx fans would sure appreciate it.
Posted by Snark on 02.13.08 2:10 am

Good idea FatLester! Thanks
Posted by midomssh on 02.19.08 8:17 am

thanks for sharing