Since you've confirmed this notion, I'll make it a high priority to get it done before we start marketing it. I don't really like the idea of "spamming" though.
Thanks for feedback!
http://forums.pligg.com/8774-post16.html
http://forums.pligg.com/pligg-mods/6844-setting-anonymous-co...
It will take a while before the spammers find you. When they find you, start working on that problem, till then, handle your more pressing problem of gaining users.
If you go to Yahoo Answers and point to a relevant link on your own site to the question being asked, I think this qualifies as marketing, no longer spam.
In any case, realise this:
The users of fluther and Yahoo Answers are your CORE audience. You may also take a look at the ask.metafilter.com users - if you sign up for a $5 account, you can post a link to your site under the "Projects" section. You'll get about 200-400 hits, but it's a relevant audience.
Otherwise, you'll have to use a gimmick. This is not ethical, but if you are interested in relevant traffic, then do this:
Post a troll. Target this troll towards christian fundamentalists, teenage girls, or housewives. Then visit a site where these groups are, like a christian forum, a youtube posting of Avril Lavigne or an advice site like flylady. Link to this troll of yours, and watch them get in a hullaboo about it and create links everywhere.
For example, you could write:
"My girlfriend just admitted to me that when Snoop Dogg was in town, she slept with one of his bodyguards. Should I break up with her?"
"My wife has herpes, and our gardener also has herpes. Is she cheating?"
"My sons girlfriend is 14 and he is 18. Is this legal?"
That's linkbait, but you need to target it correctly. The jaded crowd here will immediately see through that, but the groups I mentioned above will believe it immediately.
Yes, unethical I know, but it's just ideas. Pick and mix as you wish.
Will take some of your advice on marketing the site next week, after addressing feedback from HN and making some last minute changes.