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Harvard Study Questions "Long Tail" Theory
mjasay writes "Remember 'the long tail?' That was the idea that there was gobs of money to be made in the more obscure tastes of any given market, enabled by the web. In recent research highlighted in the Harvard Business Review, however, the long tail theory comes under withering criticism. Not only is a hits-based business more profitable for vendors according to the new research, but the research suggests that consumers also derive more enjoyment from the hits, rather than the tail. In short, the researchers find that 'the tail is long and flat, and therefore that content providers will find it hard to profit much from it.'" Long Tail advocate Chris Anderson defends his theory, and it seems that most of the debate centers around how you define "head" and "tail."
But then try to explain porn websites. There is a lot of tail to be hit there.
it seems that most of the debate centers around how you define "head" and "tail"."
I'd help but I'd need to link to some pages that I shouldn't browse at work...
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
...it seems that most of the debate centers around how you define "head" and "tail".
Bill? Bill Clinton? Is that you?
"No fair, you changed the outcome by measuring it!" - Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth
I know I "derive more enjoyment" from my definitions of "head" and "tail".
stuff |
When you see anything being hyped on the cover of "Wired" magazine as the 'next big thing,' chances are it's a complete load of crap.
Pope's corallary to Sturgeon's Law. :)
It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
I'm selling buggy whips and chastity belts. I'm making a fortune! God, I sell one or two a decade!
But then try to explain porn websites. There is a lot of tail to be hit there.
And lots of head too...
May contain traces of nut.
Made from the freshest electrons.
Porn. People do pay much higher sums for rather obscure or taboo things.
Are we talking porn, or prostitutes? I just can't see paying much, let alone much more for porn. It is mostly not to my tastes, but usually "good enough" to get the job done. Kinda like politicians, except the porn actually helps to get the job done, unlike politicians.