systems and a method for categorizing items in both actual and virtual categories are described . the method receives a selection that identifies a parent category and a first category based on the parent category . the method further identifies the plurality of data items based on a link from the first category to a second category . the data items are not user - classifiable under the first category and are user - classified under the second category . the method finally communicates a user interface , over a network , that includes the plurality of data items .