YouTube’s iconic Rewind videos have gone dark. The iconic videos were a celebration of the platform’s most viral moments and top creators. YouTube has made them private, leaving fans wondering what led to their sudden disappearance.
YouTube Rewind videos are no longer accessible
Popular streaming platform, YouTube, has changed the privacy settings of its Rewind videos, making them no longer accessible to the public. Over the years, personalized year-end retrospectives have become an integral part of social media platforms.
YouTube had raised the standard for year-end nostalgia with its Rewind videos. The streaming platform had discontinued its Rewind series, which showcased viral trends and top creators, in 2019 due to backlash, particularly surrounding the 2018 edition. Nonetheless, the videos stayed up for everyone to watch.
YouTube, however, took down the videos in January 2026. They were initially unlisted in December 2025. This meant that they would no longer pop up in searches. The videos had vanished from search, but viewers could still enjoy them if they had a direct link. As of January 8, 2026, the Rewind videos are officially private, with people losing access to the original uploads.
Netizens took to social media, expressing their disappointment over the sudden decision and sharing speculation of their own. “This sucks man, the earlier YouTube rewinds were a capsule of early 2010s culture which I had missed,” expressed one disappointed viewer. “Are they THAT embarrassed of their past?” questioned another.
The internet is buzzing with theories. One viewer suggested that the removal decision was made due to copyright issues and licensing deals. Others highlighted the drama between YouTube and Ryan Higa, with the latter claiming he was “lied to” while making the Rewind videos back in the day.
However, unofficial Rewind reuploads are still live on the platform, meaning fans can still watch the videos in this roundabout way.
