AutoSpies, the popular automotive site, has just relaunched as a full-blown Digg clone. The new functionality was added after the acquisition of AutoCast Technology, a web-ranking service that allows users to review, post and rate stories. The setup is an unabashed copy of Digg: when users find a relevant story, they post it to AutoSpies and allow other users to rate and comment on it. "Digg It" is replaced by "Boost It!", but every other aspect seems identical. In its defense, AutoSpies does take the concept beyond breaking news stories: you can also vote for spy shots, the top photos on the site, automotive reviews, videos (powered by YouTube, of course) and rumors.
I think it's great that the Digg idea is finding its way into new niches, and this is a really thorough implementation. Still, I wonder if they could have innovated on the design to prevent the "Digg clone" accusations.
See also: Netscape's Digg clone.
![[img src="" caption="" credit="" alt=""]](http://sale-online.click/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/autospieslarge2.png){kind=link}
![[img src="" caption="" credit="" alt=""]](http://sale-online.click/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/autospieslarge.png){kind=link}