I Broke The One YouTube Rule: The Case for Multiple Micro Channels

Most YouTubers will tell you to focus on one thing: stick to one niche, and success will follow. While this advice makes sense for many, it doesn’t tell the whole story. YouTube’s algorithm heavily favours themed channels, ones that consistently produce content in a single niche. However, not every topic will capture a massive audience, and sometimes creators need to branch out.

As an immersive technology solution specialist, my field focuses on game technologies to create real-world impact, which is incredibly niche. So, compared to more popular categories like game design, music, or 3D modelling, my content may not get the same traction. That’s why I broke the “one-channel” rule and created multiple YouTube channels.

YouTube’s algorithm works by promoting channels that stick to a specific theme. This is great if you’re producing content on widely appealing topics, like game development or music production. But when your focus is as niche as immersive technology solutions where the audience is much smaller and most don’t understand it, you face an uphill battle.

This is why many successful creators recommend focusing on one broad reaching thing. They argue it helps the algorithm understand your content, so it can suggest your videos to the right viewers.

While your channel can have a general theme or niche, YouTube’s algorithm doesn’t rely solely on this. Each video you upload is treated separately. When a new video is uploaded, YouTube begins to test it with various viewers. The algorithm shows it to different people, assessing how they respond to it.

YouTube’s main goal is to figure out who your video appeals to. Every time you upload a video, the algorithm will show it to a small test audience. The results of this test determine how much further YouTube will promote your content. If the test group shows positive engagement—high watch times, clicks, comments—the algorithm decides your video has potential. It will then start pushing the video to larger groups of viewers who have similar behaviours or interests.

If the video doesn’t perform well in the test, YouTube stops promoting it. That’s why some videos may never gain popularity, while others can go viral quickly.

This is why consistent uploads are so important. YouTube doesn’t define your audience just by your channel’s niche; it uses the gestalt (or overall sum) of your videos to find the best audience. Each video you release is another opportunity for the algorithm to refine and define your audience.

If your channel isn’t tightly focused on a single theme, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to grow. In fact, uploading videos on various topics can help you explore different viewer segments and let YouTube figure out where your content best fits. Over time, the collective profile of your videos will help build your audience.

However if there are wide leaps between content, for example 3D modelling and Sound Design. The algorithm can stretch the audience lens to cover both. So your audience is served something that they are not interested in viewing, new viewers see a catalogue of videos that they would not watch and your analytics will suffer.

This is where you design channels for audiences in mind. A video on immersive technologies may appeal to a smaller, specialised group, however separating ideas into its components like game development, Music Production, Sound Design and 3D modelling are much more searchable in google trends and reach a much wider audience.

Let’s explore why splitting your content across different channels can be a game changer.

Managing multiple YouTube channels can be a challenge, but when done strategically, it can lead to significant growth across different areas of interest. Right now, I’m in the early stages of running two channels: one focused on music and the other on 3D content. After experimenting with 3D content on my main music channel, I decided to separate the two. This allows me to prioritise each channel based on their potential. My music channel remains my primary focus, while the 3D channel, which taps into a larger audience with a lower barrier to entry, gets my second priority.

Here’s how I manage both without burning out, using a strategic growth plan.

Building multiple channels isn’t easy. The key is to start small and grow gradually. My main focus was initially on my music channel. I dedicated time to building a loyal audience and creating consistent content. Once I felt that the channel was sustainable with a steady flow of viewers and manageable content production,I shifted some attention to my second channel.

Here’s the strategy I use:

1. Start with your main niche: Focus on your area of expertise first. Build a dedicated audience before moving on to other topics.
2. Intentional Video Production: you are running multiple channels, keep production simple filled with value over complex production and little substance
3. Mono Focus: don’t multitask, focus on specific well researched topics that you can bring value to.
4. Expand carefully: When your main channel is running smoothly, consider creating a second channel. In my case, my 3D channel covers a topic with broad appeal, so it made sense to split it off once my music content was well established.
5. Leverage crossover: Audiences have a variety of interests too. Use your second channel to attract a broader audience, and introduce them to your niche. For example, viewers who come for my 3D content might also take an interest in my music channel, especially if I introduce crossover projects like my animated music demos.

With two channels to manage, it’s important to set clear priorities. My music channel comes first because it’s where I’ve already built momentum in an exclusive niche. I spend more time planning and creating content for this channel to ensure it remains consistent and engaging.

My 3D channel, on the other hand, is easier to manage in terms of growth, as there’s a large audience to tap into and spent years honing this craft. It is easier for me to make quality content in this space and can afford to post less frequently while still reaching a wider audience in the earlier stages.

The Aim is to make sure that your production/social media management time isn’t eating into your personal time. as someone who is still working full time. You need to manage how much output you can reasonably do that doesn’t affect your sleep, catching up with friends, cleaning the house, exercise and eating well. Make sure you drink your water too

The key is to create a balance that doesn’t compromise the quality or consistency of either channel.

By managing multiple channels with a strong brand, you can create a web of content that draws in different audiences. This strategy helps build an overall content empire. For instance, someone who discovers my 3D content might also enjoy my music, and by cross-promoting, I can create opportunities for viewers to move between the two channels.

This approach allows me to reach a wider demographic without losing sight of my niche passions. Each channel serves its own audience but also supports the others, forming a connected web of content.

Sticking to one channel works for a lot of creators, but for some it can limit your potential reach, especially if you’re working in more specialised fields. Creating multiple channels lets you explore broader topics, experiment with different types of content, and reach diverse audiences. It also protects you from sudden algorithm changes that might affect one channel but not others.

This strategy requires careful planning, but the reward is worth it. You build a network of followers that spans multiple areas of interest, giving you greater freedom to pursue new ideas and bring value to your audience.

I am still very new on this journey however there is a potential to help others approach immersive technologies so I want to continue. Managing multiple channels successfully comes down to strategic growth and clear priorities. Start with your main niche, build a solid foundation, and only then move on to broader topics. Use each new channel as an opportunity to expand your audience while ensuring that your original content stays strong.

Remember, the goal is to build a sustainable content ecosystem—so grow one channel at a time, keep your priorities in check, and enjoy the benefits helping your audience.

Thank you for reading, and if you found a part of this useful. Share so it can help others.

Also go come check out my channel on YouTube