"But its impact this year was indisputable." Really? How much profit or even revenue did it bring in. Because in the end, that's all that matters. Digg committed suicide by algorithm and feudalism.
Consider the fact that the president of the United States found it worthwhile to take time more than once during crucial part of his campaign to go to Reddit. Reddit may very well had a large role to play in his upset over Hilary Clinton last time as well.