Long Tail theory claimed niche aggregation would drive internet profitability

Evidence

These subcultural experiments exemplified what Wired editor in chief Chris Anderson later called “The Long Tail.” In his influential 2004 article, Anderson argued that the internet’s true power lay in catering to niche audiences. “Our culture and economy,” he wrote, “are increasingly shifting away from a focus on a relatively small number of ‘hits’ (mainstream products and markets) at the head of the demand curve, and moving towards a huge number of niches in the tail.” Anderson’s vision suggested that the future belonged to digital platforms capable of aggregating diversity and obscurity into profitability. The internet could forever be weird—and even make money. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 169

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the Long Tail concept precisely — key intellectual scaffolding for the omnivore monoculture thesis.
• XREF: This is the direct predecessor claim Marx will test — the counter-case reading should hold this up against the monoculture outcome.