Digg, the social news aggregator, is making a comeback and giving users the opportunity to reserve their username for a one-time fee of $5. The platform, which was announced last month, is offering this chance to become a "Digg Groundbreaker" and get early access to new features, among other perks.

The $5 fee, according to Digg, is meant to "keep the bots at bay" and will go towards supporting a nonprofit organization chosen by the Groundbreakers community. This is a one-time charge, not an ongoing subscription, and will give users the chance to lock down their desired username before the platform launches.

In addition to reserving their username, Groundbreakers will get early access to mockups and previews of the new Digg, allowing them to provide feedback directly to the development team. They will also receive a permanent Groundbreakers badge on their profile once the platform goes live. However, it's worth noting that this is not early access to Digg itself, but rather a group on the Circle community platform.

The rebooted Digg is being led by original founder Kevin Rose, alongside a team that includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The platform will still focus on sharing and voting on links, but will incorporate AI to help user-led communities with moderation, taking inspiration from the rise of Reddit.

Initially, invites to join Groundbreakers were sent out to Digg's mailing list, but users can now sign up without an invitation. Although Digg hasn't disclosed the exact number of available spots, it has stated that there is a limited number of spaces available.

This move marks a significant step in Digg's revival, which was first announced last month. The platform's return is highly anticipated, especially given its original popularity and influence in the early 2000s. With the Groundbreakers program, Digg is giving users a chance to be part of its rebirth and shape its future direction.

As the platform prepares to launch, it will be interesting to see how users respond to the Groundbreakers program and what impact it will have on Digg's overall success. With its focus on community engagement and AI-powered moderation, Digg is poised to make a significant impact in the social news aggregator space.

For those interested in becoming a Digg Groundbreaker, sign-ups are now open, and the $5 fee is a small price to pay for the chance to be part of this exciting new chapter in Digg's history.