**Alexis Ohanian Promotes Digg Relaunch, Says He Doesn’t Miss Reddit at All**
Key Takeaways:
- Alexis Ohanian insisted he doesn’t miss leading Reddit during a recent AMA.
- He is promoting the relaunch of Digg, a Reddit-like platform, with a user-first design.
- Ohanian emphasized Digg won’t use AI to manipulate user engagement or content visibility.
San Francisco, CA — Alexis Ohanian, a cofounder of Reddit, drew attention during an “Ask Me Anything” session on June 24 when he curtly declared he does not miss leading the platform he helped build. The comment came as he promoted the revitalization of Digg, a once-defunct Reddit competitor, now being positioned as an “unalgorithmized” alternative for online community interaction.
Ohanian Uses Reddit AMA to Promote Digg Relaunch
Alexis Ohanian made headlines after a blunt three-word response—“I do not”—to whether he missed being in a leadership role at Reddit. The AMA session, conducted on Reddit itself, was held to mark the relaunch of Digg, a forum-oriented platform originally created in 2004. Ohanian announced his involvement with the revamped Digg, which aims to offer a community-driven space without the manipulation of content via artificial intelligence.
In the session, Ohanian sharply criticized how popular platforms like Reddit have evolved, alluding to what he called “AI-driven enshittification.” He made a clear pledge: Digg will not use AI algorithms to rank, promote, or filter content. Instead, he said the logic behind Digg’s feed would be straightforward, transparent, and visible to users—countering what he frames as opaque algorithms that have distorted online discourse on other platforms.
“We are not using AI to rank content, shape discourse, personalize feeds, or decide what you should see,” he told Redditors. “There is no black box recommendation engine optimizing for engagement.”
Why Alexis Ohanian Left Reddit in 2020
Ohanian resigned from Reddit’s board of directors in June 2020, shortly after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. His resignation was described as a moral stand. In his resignation statement, Ohanian urged his former colleagues to replace him with a Black board member to help address longstanding criticisms that the platform had not done enough to curb racism and hate speech.
He has since reiterated that the move was intended to pressure Reddit into making internal policy changes, particularly regarding the moderation and banning of hate-filled communities. Ohanian reiterated in the AMA that his departure stemmed from a desire to shift Reddit’s stance on issues concerning race and hate speech—something he felt required external leverage.
Since stepping away from Reddit, Ohanian has remained a prominent entrepreneur and investor, launching Seven Seven Six, a venture firm that has backed several high-profile startups with a focus on transparency and user empowerment.
The Rise, Fall, and Return of Digg
Digg was launched in 2004 by Kevin Rose and Jay Adelson as a social news aggregator where stories were promoted based on user upvotes. Once considered a direct competitor to Reddit, it nearly struck a major deal with Google in 2008, which would have valued it at $180 million. However, that deal fell through, and the platform struggled to maintain relevance.
In 2012, a venture firm, Betaworks, purchased the remaining assets of Digg for only $500,000. As social media giants surged ahead, Digg faded into obscurity. Now, in 2024, a fresh attempt is being made to resurrect it, led by Rose, who recently reacquired the platform and is joined by Ohanian in a high-profile comeback bid.
This relaunch comes at a time when major platforms like Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta’s properties face criticism for opaque content moderation and AI-driven algorithms that prioritize engagement over integrity. Digg’s reboot appears to be a direct response to this growing dissatisfaction among users craving transparency and a less manipulated user experience.
Impact on Digital Communities and Future Prospects
Ohanian’s renewed involvement in the forum space signals a broader shift toward user-centric digital platforms. With AI-powered content curation increasingly under scrutiny, Digg’s proposition of a transparent, algorithm-free experience may resonate with users fatigued by the excessive control seen on larger platforms.
Still, Digg faces an uphill climb. Reddit commands a vast and active user base, while Discord, Mastodon, and Bluesky have also made inroads among users seeking different community experiences. Up against these entrenched players, Digg’s success likely depends on whether it can not only attract users but also build trust by staying true to its promises of transparency and community-first development.
Ohanian’s involvement adds credibility, particularly given his track record of public accountability and his past critique of social platforms that prioritize scale over sincerity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is alexis ohanian trending?
A: Alexis Ohanian is trending because of his stark comments during a recent Reddit AMA, where he promoted the relaunch of Digg and said he doesn’t miss leading Reddit.
Q: What happens next?
A: Digg’s relaunch will roll out in upcoming months, as it aims to position itself as a transparent, community-first alternative to Reddit and similar platforms.
#AlexisOhanian #Digg #RedditAMA #TechFounders #DigitalCommunity
