YouTube has made its annual recap videos, known as YouTube Rewind, unlisted on its platform. The decision was noticed by users on the r/YouTube community on Reddit, who found that all previous YouTube Rewind videos had been marked as “unlisted” on the official YouTube channel. This means that the videos are no longer easily accessible through the channel page or search results, unless users have a direct link to the video.
YouTube Rewind was a series of highly-produced videos that looked back at the biggest memes, videos, creators, and trends on the platform each year. The series started in 2011 and ran until 2019, with the last video being a countdown montage of the year’s top moments. The company opted not to produce a YouTube Rewind video in 2020, effectively ending the series.
The move to unlist the videos has sparked speculation among YouTube creators, with some wondering why the company has chosen to do so now, six years after the last YouTube Rewind video was released. One possible reason is that the platform has shifted its focus towards providing users with personalized year-in-review content, similar to Spotify’s Wrapped feature.
YouTube Rewind was initially popular, but the 2018 edition received backlash from users who felt that it did not accurately represent the platform’s community. The video became the most disliked on YouTube at the time, leading the company to re-evaluate its approach to the series.
In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said that the company has decided to “blow out our Rewind candles” as its 20th birthday year comes to a close, indicating that the series has been retired in favor of new ways to celebrate the end of the year. The spokesperson did not provide further explanation for the decision to unlist the videos.
The move has also drawn attention to past controversies surrounding YouTube Rewind, including allegations from former YouTuber Ryan Higa that the company had pressured him into participating in a video despite his initial refusal. Higa, who now streams on Twitch, had been a popular creator on YouTube before leaving the platform in 2020.
The decision to unlist YouTube Rewind videos may mark the final chapter in the series’ history, as the platform continues to evolve and explore new ways to engage with its users. With its 20th birthday year coming to a close, YouTube appears to be looking to the future, leaving its past traditions behind.