YouTube Rewind


YouTube Rewind is a video series produced and created by YouTube and Portal A Interactive. These videos are an overview and a recap of each year's viral videos, events, trends, and music. Each year, the number of YouTube personalities featured has increased. The series' annual installments are uploaded onto YouTube's official channel.
The 2018 episode of YouTube Rewind, ', received near universal disdain from critics, YouTubers, and viewers alike garnering over 10 million dislikes in its first two weeks, becoming the most disliked video of all time on YouTube. The latest installment, ', received negative reactions from fans, citing that it was better than the previous installment, but was criticized due to being uncreative and lacking in energy compared to previous episodes in the series.

History

The first Rewind was created by YouTube in 2010 and featured a Top 50 list of the most popular YouTube videos for that year. In 2010, YouTube had started to create and produce Rewind videos with the help of Seedwell and Portal A Interactive. From 2011 onward, the YouTube Rewind videos have only been uploaded to the YouTube Spotlight channel now known as just YouTube, with additional "behind-the-scenes" content.

2010

On December 13, 2010, the first YouTube Rewind was uploaded, titled "2010 YouTube Rewind: Year in Review". It featured the top 10 most popular videos on YouTube for the preceding year. It was uploaded on two channels: YouTube Trends on the first day, and YouTube Spotlight on the second.

2011

On December 20, 2011, "YouTube Rewind 2011" was uploaded. It was created and produced by YouTube and Portal A Interactive, and features Rebecca Black as the host. Her music video "Friday" had become a viral video in March 2011. Like last year, it featured another top 10 most popular videos on YouTube for the year.

2012

In 2012, YouTube's Rewind videos changed to featuring several popular YouTubers; the most popular music, videos, and videos; breaking news; and internet memes from the year.
On December 17, 2012, "Rewind YouTube Style 2012", referencing "Gangnam Style", was uploaded to YouTube Spotlight. It was created and produced by YouTube and Seedwill.

2013

On December 11, 2013, "YouTube Rewind: What Does 2013 Say?", referencing "The Fox ", was uploaded to YouTube Spotlight. The video also made prominent use of PSY's popularising "Gentleman", however following a copyright claim from the artist, the audio on the original video was remixed in 2015 to no longer include the song. The video was created and produced by YouTube and Portal A Interactive. This was the first year that the YouTube Rewind Button was used; otherwise, it was very similar in style to the 2012 video. DJ Earworm mashed up six popular songs from the year. Jimmy Fallon and The Roots from The Tonight Show made guest appearances. Popular YouTuber PewDiePie made his first appearance on a YouTube Rewind in the 2013 rewind.

2014

On December 9, 2014, "YouTube Rewind: Turn Down for 2014", referencing "Turn Down for What", was uploaded to YouTube Spotlight. It was again created and produced by YouTube and Portal A Interactive. Over 10 songs were mashed together by DJ Earworm for the video. The video was not structured around songs, as in previous years. More internet memes and trends were used alongside the music. Its main features were the YouTube Rewind Button flag, with which YouTubers and characters run from the beginning of the video all the way to the end. The flag was run through the sets of The Colbert Report by Big Bird; Conan by Conan O'Brien, running through his own with Freddie Wong acting as the host' and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, by Kid President. The actual Rewind Button was not shown until the end of the video.

2015

On December 9, 2015, "YouTube Rewind: Now Watch Me 2015", referencing "Watch Me", was uploaded to the YouTube Spotlight channel. It was again created and produced by YouTube and Portal A Interactive. It was the first one to feature a hashtag; #YouTubeRewind. The video heavily incorporated previous years of YouTube due to 2015 being the website's 10th anniversary. The music mashup was composed by The Hood Internet and include songs like Lean On by Major Lazer and DJ Snake, Can't Feel My Face by The Weeknd, and What Do You Mean? by Justin Bieber. Additionally, Avicii composed an original remix for the video. The video featured more gamers than previous years, such as YouTube personalities Markiplier and Captainsparklez, with a segment set up to resemble the Five Nights at Freddy's, an indie, survival horror, point-and-click video game that has gained recognition since its first release in August 2014. The Rewind Button and logo were shown throughout the video. Its main appearance was with PewDiePie and Zoe Sugg about halfway through the video. They appeared next to a scoreboard with two dates of December 9, 2015. The scoreboard referenced Back to the Future Part II which was set in 2015. Zoe changes one scoreboard date back to February 14, 2005, leaving the other at December 9, 2015. Afterwards Felix "brofists" the rewind button, triggering the video to show viral videos and memes from 2015 back to 2005. After the credits, the Fine Brothers were shown arguing about whether PewDiePie was in the video.

2016

On December 7, 2016, "YouTube Rewind: The Ultimate 2016 Challenge", referencing the increasing number of challenges that took place in 2016, was uploaded to the YouTube Spotlight channel. It was again created and produced by YouTube and Portal A Interactive. Music was developed by The Hood Internet with an original remix by Major Lazer. The video begins with Dwayne Johnson showing a miniature Rewind button, and YouTube personalities hunting for 'Rewind' symbols in the style of Pokémon Go. The video also references objects being crushed by a hydraulic press, Hodor from Game of Thrones, the water-bottle flip challenge and the dabbing dance move. The video also references songs like: Work From Home by Fifth Harmony, Closer by The Chainsmokers. The video ends James Corden and other personalities in a car, in reference to the Carpool Karaoke segments from The Late Late Show.

2017

On December 6, 2017, "YouTube Rewind: The Shape of 2017", referencing the song "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran, and was uploaded to the YouTube Spotlight channel.
The Shape of 2017 received mixed reviews from critics, YouTubers, and viewers alike following its release. Some of the various criticisms were directed at its overuse of memes, and the notable exclusion of PewDiePie for controversies earlier in the year.
To date, it has received 4.09 million likes, making it 9th most liked non-music YouTube video of all time. It also received significantly more dislikes than the previous years, at 2.2 million dislikes, making it the 23rd most disliked YouTube video of all time.

2018

Upon its release on December 6, 2018, Everyone Controls Rewind was overwhelmingly panned, receiving extensive backlash from critics, YouTubers and viewers alike. Many YouTubers deemed it the "worst Rewind ever". Criticisms ranged from the inclusion of celebrities and personalities who are not affiliated with YouTube as well as the exclusion of certain controversial acts, such as Shane Dawson, Lil Pump, KSI vs Logan Paul and PewDiePie vs T-Series.
Everyone Controls Rewind incorporated user comment suggestions as a part of the video, although many viewers stated that the trends that the video included were unpopular to majority of the community, calling YouTube "out of touch" with its viewers and their interests. Julia Alexander of The Verge suggested that YouTube Rewind had intentionally left out the biggest moments on the platform in 2018 in an attempt to appease worried advertisers over controversies that had plagued the platform over the past 2 years: "it’s increasingly apparent, however, that YouTube is trying to sell a culture that’s different from the one millions of people come to the platform for, and that’s getting harder for both creators and fans to swallow". Meira Gebel of Business Insider shared a similar sentiment, saying that "The video appears to be an attempt for the company to keep advertisers on its side following a rather rocky 2018." In her February YouTube Newsletter, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki admits that the video did poorly, saying "Even my kids called it cringy".
Everyone Controls Rewind is currently the most disliked YouTube video of all time, with 17 million dislikes in comparison to its 2.51 million likes. It is also the first video to reach 10 million dislikes. Meanwhile, PewDiePie's own version of Rewind titled YouTube Rewind 2018 but it's actually good, claimed the top spot of the most liked non-music videos only two days after being uploaded.

2019

On December 5, 2019, "YouTube Rewind 2019: For the Record" was released. The 2019 edition returned to a format more reminiscent of the early iterations of the series, featuring a montage of the top videos of 2019, divided into several themed countdowns based on statistics and trends. Kevin Allocca, YouTube's head of culture and trends, explained that the video was intended to be more reflective of the year's trends, acknowledging that it was becoming more difficult for the previous format to "authentically represent" the community's overall experience. The video has been criticized as coming off as “passive-aggressive” towards consumers, or "lazy" as it does not have the same level of production as the previous rewinds and was noted as being akin to WatchMojo videos. Many also felt the new format lacked energy and a “soul,” saying that it showed that YouTube was being openly more corporate.
However, many saw improvement with casting choices in some areas, particularly with the inclusion of Felix "PewDiePie" Kjellberg, who was absent in previous Rewinds.
Similarly to last year, some viewers criticized the site for not honouring the deaths of famous people on the site such as Desmond "Etika" Amofah.

Series videos

Guests


Guests

Personas2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
1MILLION Dance Studio
10ocupados
A4
Adam Dalhberg
Action Movie Kid
Adam Rippon
Afros e Afins por Nátaly Neri
AIB
Alex Clark
Alex Wassabi
Alfie Deyes
Alison Gold
Aliza Marzia
Amanda Steele
Ami Rodríguez
Anaysa
:id: Andora di Lopez|Andovi da Lopez
Andrea Russells
AndreasChoice
Andymation
:fr:Andy Raconte|Andy Raconte
angelfacepeanut
Angie Velasco
Anna Akana
Anna Brisbin
Anthony Padilla
Anthony Quintet
Ariana Grande
AsapScience
:id:Atta Halilintar|Atta Halilintar
Awez Darbar
Ayo & Teo
Azzyland
Badabun
Barely Productions
Bart Baker
Bethany Mota
Bearhug
Bhuvan Bam
Bianca Heinicke
Bie The Ska
Big Marvel
Billie Eilish
Bilingirl Chika
Black Gryph0n
BLACKPINK
Blanco Brown
Bongo Cat
Bokyem TV
Brandon Litschaart
Brave Wilderness
Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight
Bunny Meyer
CaELiKe
CajuTV
CanalCanalha
Casey Lawrence
Casey Neistat
Caspar Lee
Cassey Ho
ChapkisDanceUSA
Charlie Sheen
Cherrygumms
Chester See
Chris Hardwick
Clevver TV
Colin Furze
Collins Key
Conan O'Brien
Conchita Wurst
Connor Franta
Corridor Digital
Cyprien
D-Trix
Daddy Yankee
Daimaou Kosaka
:de: Dagi Bee|Dagi Bee
Dan Howell
DanTDM
DashieXP
Dave Days
David Dobrik
:ko:디바제시카|Deeva Jessica
Deji Olatunji
Derek Gerard
DeStorm Power
Dina Tokio
Dodie Clark
Domics
Dotty TV
Dross Rotzank
Dude Perfect
Dwayne Johnson
Ed Bassmaster
EeOneGuy
Eh Bee Family
Elle and Blair Fowler
Elle Mills
El Rubius
Emma Blackery
Emma Chamberlain
Enchufe.tv
Enes Batur
:fr:EnjoyPhoenix|EnjoyPhoenix
Enzo Knol
Epic Meal Time
Epic Rap Battles of History
EroldStory
Eva Gutowski
Evan Edinger
ExpCaseros
Extra Credits
F2Freestylers
Felicia Day
Felipe Neto
Fine Brothers Entertainment
Fischer's
Flula Borg
fouseyTUBE
Freddie Wong
Furious Jumpers
Gabbie Hanna
Gabriel Valenciano
Galen Hooks
GamingWithKev
Gaurav Chaudhary
:id: Gen Halilintar|Gen Halilintar
Germán Garmendia
Gigi Gorgeous
Girls' Generation
Greg Lazzaroto
GloZell
Grace Helbig
Greyson Chance
h3h3Productions
:ja:はじめしゃちょー|hajimesyacho
Hank Green
Hannah Hart
Hannah Stocking
Harun Robert
:ar:هيلا غزال|Hayla Ghazal
Hikakin
Honey Badger's Randall
Hongyu ASMR 홍유
How Ridiculous
How It Should Have Ended
HunniBee ASMR
IAMLXGEND
ibighit
Iman Crosson
Ingrid Nilsen
Isaiah Mustafa
ItsFunneh
Jacksfilms
Jaiden Animations
Jacksepticeye
Jake Paul
Jake Roper
James Charles
James Corden
Jamie Oliver
Jeffree Star
Jelly
Jenn McAllister
Jenna Mourey
Jennelle Eliana
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Kimmel
Joe Sugg
Joey Graceffa
John Green
John Oliver
Jonatan Clay
Jordan Maron
:id: Jovial da Lopez|Jovial da Lopez
Jubilee Media
Judson Laipply
Julio Profe
Juan de Dios Pantoja
Juanpa Zurita
JukiLop
Justin Bieber
Justine Ezarik
KNCraZy
KNN l Kanninich
Kassem Gharaibeh
Kate Clap
Kaykai Salaider
Kayli Butler
:de: Kelly MissesVlog|Kelly MissesVlog
Ken Block
Kevin Lieber
Kid President
Kimberly Loaiza
King Russel
Kristian Nairn
Le Rire Jaune
Kristen Stewart
KSI
Kurt Hugo Schneider
Kurzgesagt
Kylie Jenner
Lachlan
LaToya Forever
Lauren Riihimaki
LazarBeam
LDShadowLady
Lele Pons
Les Twins
Lewis Hilsenteger
Life Noggin
Lil Dicky
Lil Nas X
Lilly Singh
Liza Koshy
Logan Paul
Los Polinesios
LOUD
LOUD Babi
LOUD Coringa
Lucas the Spider
Luis Fonsi
Luisito Comunica
LuzuGames
Mackenzie Ziegler
Macklemore
Magnet World
malena010102
Mamrie Hart
Manuel Gutierrez
Marcus Butler
McFly & Carlito
Maria Aragon
Marialejandra Marrero
Markiplier
Marques Brownlee
Marshmello
Martinez Twins
Mason Ramsey
Matthew Patrick
Matthew Santoro
Matt Steffanina
Meg DeAngelis
Merrell Twins
Michael Bolton
Michael Dapaah
Michelle Phan
Miranda Sings
MrBeast
mrfreshasian
Ms Yeah
Mystery Guitar Man
Nicky Jam
Nick Eh 30
Niana Guerrero
Nigahiga
NikkieTutorials
Ninja
:pt:Nilson Izaias|Nilson Izaias Papinho
Noah Schnapp
Noor Stars
Norman Thavaud
Nyan Cat
OK Go
OliWhiteTV
하루한끼 one meal a day
Ozuna
백종원의 요리비책 Paik's Cuisine
Paul Vasquez
Pautips
Pencilmation
Pentatonix
Peter Chao
PewDiePie
Philip DeFranco
Phil Lester
Pikotaro
PlayHard
Poppy
Porta dos Fundos
PrankvsPrank
Primitive Technology
Psy
Rachel Levin
Ray William Johnson
Rebecca Black
Rebecca Parham
Rhett and Link
RiceGum
Ricky Dillon
Robert Pattinson
RobleisIUTU
ROSALÍA
Rosanna Pansino
Ross O'Donovan
SACCONEJOLYs
Safiya Nygaard
Sebastian Villalobos
Sesame Street
Seth Everman
Shane Dawson
Shawn Mendes
Shit Girls Say
Shoaib Akhtar
Shruti Arjun Anand
Simon's Cat
Simone Giertz
Sofia Castro
Smosh
Smosh Games
Softpomz
Sonja Reid
Sorted Food
SoulPancake
SQUEEZIE
Sananas
SSSniperwolf
Stephen Colbert
Swoozie
Tabbes
Talking Animals
Taryn Southern
Tati
Taylor Lautner
Team Naach
Technical Guruji
The Annoying Orange
Russell Horning/The Backpack Kid
The Dolan Twins
The Gregory Brothers
The Lonely Island
The Sidemen
The Slow Mo Guys
The Try Guys
TheDonato
TheOdd1sOut
Tiffany Garcia
TimeDeo
Timothy DeLaGhetto
Toby Turner
TomSka
Tpindell
Tré Melvin
Trevor Moran
Trevor Noah
Troye Sivan
T-Series
Tyler Oakley
VanossGaming
VEGETTA777
VRZO channel
Walk off the Earth
Wengie
What's Inside?
Werevertumorro
whinderssonnunes
Willdabeast Adams
Will Smith
워크맨-Workman
World Order
Yasmin Uddin
YellowMellowMG
Yes Theory
Yosstop
Yuka Kinoshita
Yuya
zbing z.
Zoe Sugg
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Released videos

Overview

Season 1 (2010–present)

Behind the Scenes (2012–18)

Others (2016)