From The Long Tail: Microstructure in the Long Tail (a blog that calls itself "a public diary on the way to a book" that is itself based on a Wired article that popularized the "long tail" portion of the power law curve that appears to fit with weblog popularity and incoming links (although Dave Pollard disputes that), it appears that each long tail is itself made up of a microcosm of smaller long tails:

This is important because it explains why a very effective network-effect (viral word-of-mouth) recommendation system, which is essential in driving demand down the tail,  does not actually do the opposite: drive content up the tail to further amplify hit/niche inequality. The explanation, I argue, lies in the only semi-permeable membrane between niches and mass-markets. Popularity exists at multiple scales, and ruling a clique doesn't necessarily make you the homecoming queen.

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