Social news aggregator and Digg competitor Mixx.com has announced the launch of their API, allowing developers to get their hands dirty creating new applications. And that means more attention and more traffic for Mixx and those who leverage the site to their advantage.

The API will allow items to be viewed, submitted and commented on from any other site across the Web. Already, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times includes buttons on stories to submit to Mixx and many other large media sites are beginning to follow suit.

Mixx does not see anywhere near the traffic as Digg, but a look at some data shows they are playing a mean game of catch-up. Compete shows traffic booming - soon after launch, in September 2007 Mixx saw about 30,000 unique visitors, compared to over 180,000 in March 2008. In short, quick innovation, fast uptake and the attention of top developers should be enough to convince anyone to start using Mixx in their marketing plans.