I agree. There's self-promotion, and then there's desperation. That's not a good look on anyone.
I get that you're not trying to come across that way, and you just want to get the word out about your channel, but unfortunately, confirming the suspicions of many people who haven't said anything up until now about that particular habit of yours was probably a misstep. If people are drawn to your content, they'll spread it around in one way or another. You have to give it time and hope for the best.
The glass is neither half empty nor half full. It's just holding half the amount it can potentially hold.