Digg is My Favorite URL Shortener

Digg is my favorite URL shortener because it adds the most social value to the URLs it shortens. The social bookmarking service made all outbound links from it’s massive site into shortened URLs leading to an iframe of the linked site. Above the iframe a navbar christened the “Digg Bar” sits and beckons visitors to vote up or vote down the content – adding a layer of social value to the page. The iframe goes away if you want it to, as well.

True, the content may have included a Digg thumbs up / thumbs down voting script anyway. The added Digg Bar just increases the likelihood of someone giving your shared content the “thumbs up” — which, if you’re lucky, may add up to placement on the front page of Digg tself. A coveted spot I’m not alone in discussing. And why would I be? Landing a front page spot on Digg will generate tons of traffic to your site, and build credibility for your site’s content. 500 votes on Digg will generate something like 13,500 visits to your site, assuming presence on their front page. I think the goal is worth acheiving, and using Digg as a URL shortener just makes it more likely. Go with them. It’s easy.

What do you think? Is the Digg Bar in heaven? Is it in Hell? Let your elusive comments catch hold below.