Google launches Digg-like feature

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

Google has launched a Web page plug-in called What's Popular that can give iGoogle home page users a service similar to those offered by Digg, StumbleUpon, Reddit, and Mixx.

Google's own servers select links from YouTube and Reader and blend them with those submitted by users. The gadget shows users these links along with up and down arrows to vote approval or disapproval of the site.

Lacking in the Google feature is any way users can comment on a Web page, one of the central features of Digg and its rivals.

Rumors of Google's interest in acquiring Digg surfaced in 2008, but so far nothing has come of it.

[TinyIoda]

DUGG! <br /> <br />;)

[donsms]

For Rose`s sake i hope he doesn`t wait to long to sell Digg before it becomes just one of the older services that aren`t relevent anymore.Seems to me whatever Google offers or has offered would more then likely be the highest amount he`ll see for his baby.

[ChrisLang]

The reason Google does not provide ways to comment on the item in the widget is three fold:<br /><br />First of all, the comments belong on the blog, not on Google, Goolgle gets this, unlike Digg.<br /><br />Second, YouTube has it's own commenting future.<br /><br />Third so do our blogs.<br /><br />Google, unlike Facebook and Digg, is not a walled greedy little garden hording everything to themselves. Have you seen the n3w DiggBar? Out going links are not allowed, Digg and Facebook now display your site in a frame, display AdSense over top of your site, holding the visitor on Digg.<br /><br />Google wants you to get what you deserve, the visitors, the AdSense and the comments.