Signal 8: Category Drift. Streamers who stay in one category build category-specific retention data. Streamers who hop categories split their data and dilute their algorithmic identity.

How algorithms read category drift:

• Streamer who plays Cozy Crochet ASMR exclusively builds a clear viewer-retention profile in that category
• Streamer who plays Cozy Crochet ASMR Tuesday and Just Chatting Wednesday and Variety Thursday builds three weak profiles instead of one strong one

The cost of category drift: the recommendation engine struggles to know what to recommend you for. Browse-page placement weakens. Sidebar recommendations don't connect you with adjacent streams effectively.

The discipline: pick one primary category and spend 70%+ of broadcast time in it. Variety streams should be the exception (1-2x per month), not the rule.

The rare exception: "Variety" as a deliberate brand identity works for established streamers (post-10K followers) who are big enough that the audience comes for the streamer regardless of category. Below 10K, variety streamers under-perform single-category streamers consistently.

Pick the lane. Hold the lane for at least 6 months before considering expansion.