Does the 'Long Tail Effect' imply that 'best-selling products' or 'blockbusters' are no longer important?

Mate, that's a really great question. It's a common misunderstanding many people have when they first hear about the "Long Tail theory."

Let's get straight to the point: The emergence of the Long Tail effect absolutely does not mean that "blockbusters" or "hit products" are no longer important. On the contrary, their relationship is more like a perfect duo than a zero-sum game.

To help you understand, let me use a familiar analogy.

Think of the Market as a "Dinosaur"

The Head: That's the dinosaur's massive, unmistakable head. It represents the "blockbusters" and "hit products." Like the bestselling novels prominently displayed at the bookstore entrance, the chart-topping singles heavily promoted on music app homepages, or the highest-selling phones during e-commerce festivals like Singles' Day.
The Tail: That's the dinosaur's long, thin tail. It represents the vast number of "non-bestsellers" or "niche products" that individually have small sales volumes. Think of that book on "The Evolution of Medieval European Armor" tucked away on a corner shelf, or songs by an indie artist on a music app with only a few hundred followers.

(Imagine an image roughly like this)

The core idea of the Long Tail theory is: In the internet age, because storage/shelf space (like website pages) is virtually unlimited, the combined total sales of all these niche products in the "Long Tail" might actually exceed the total sales of the few blockbusters at the head.

This might sound like the "tail" defeating the "head," but that's not the reality.

Why are "Blockbusters" (the Dinosaur's Head) Still Essential?

They are the Core Source of Profit and "Cash Cows" While blockbusters are fewer in number, they generate extremely high profits per item with massive sales volumes. They deliver the most direct and substantial revenue and cash flow for a company. A single iPhone model's profit might exceed the combined profit of thousands of different phone accessories. This money is fundamental for a company's survival and growth.
They are the Ultimate "Traffic Magnets" Why did you open Netflix? Probably to watch the massively popular Squid Game (a blockbuster). Why did you walk into that bookstore? Likely drawn in by the poster for the latest Keigo Higashino novel (a blockbuster) on display. Blockbusters are the "hooks" that grab user attention; they are the entry point for traffic. Without a strong "head" to attract eyeballs, users might never enter your "store" to discover your long "tail" in the first place.
They Define Brands and Shape Perceptions Think UNIQLO? You think of basic tees and HEATTECH (blockbusters). Think Coca-Cola? You think of classic Coke (the blockbuster). Blockbusters are a company's most prominent calling card; they quickly establish a brand image in the consumer's mind.

"Blockbusters" and the "Long Tail" are Actually a Perfect Duo

Their relationship isn't about replacement; it's about mutual reinforcement.

Blockbusters handle "Acquisition": They use their powerful appeal to attract massive numbers of users to the platform. Acting like giant magnets.
The Long Tail handles "Retention": Once users are drawn in by the blockbuster, the platform uses recommendation algorithms to showcase a wide variety of niche products (from the Long Tail) that suit their individual tastes.

For example:

You downloaded QQ Music to listen to Jay Chou (blockbuster). After listening, the app recommends a folk singer you've never heard of but whose style you instantly like (Long Tail). As a result, you become a fan. To keep listening to this niche artist, you stay on the app and might even pay for a subscription.

See the dynamic?

The blockbuster is the door opener; the Long Tail makes you feel so comfortable, you never want to leave.

To Summarize

Therefore, the Long Tail effect doesn't herald the death of the blockbuster; it reveals a new, healthier business ecosystem.

In the past, with limited shelf space, businesses had to focus on blockbusters.
Now, the internet breaks those limits. Businesses can walk on two legs simultaneously – "Blockbusters" and the "Long Tail".

A successful business model often works like this: Use head hits (blockbusters) to conquer markets, attract traffic, build brand recognition, and generate core profits. Use long tail products to satisfy diverse consumer needs, increase user loyalty, and build competitive defenses.

The blockbuster is about "love at first sight"; the Long Tail fosters "deepening affection over time." These two utterly depend on each other.