A technique increases capacity in a topic-subscription messaging system. The technique involves, during a first time period, operating a first topic structure of the system. The first topic structure includes a first topic and a plurality of first subscriptions coupled with the first topic. The technique further involves, during a second time period, providing a second topic structure which includes a second topic and a plurality of second subscriptions coupled with the second topic. The technique further involves, during a third time period, providing a link from the second topic structure to the first topic structure making (i) the second topic structure a parent to the first topic structure and (ii) the first topic structure a child to the second topic structure, the link conveying messages from a particular second subscription of the second topic structure to the first topic of the first topic structure.