YouTube makes iconic Rewind videos private, sparking confusion and backlash from fans

YouTube has quietly made its classic Rewind videos private in 2026, leaving fans confused about why they vanished

YouTube has quietly removed public access to its iconic Rewind videos, leaving users unable to watch the platform’s once-flagship year-in-review content.

As of January 8, 2026, all official YouTube Rewind uploads have been made private, meaning they are no longer accessible—even via direct links.

The move follows an earlier step taken at the end of 2025, when YouTube unlisted the Rewind videos, removing them from search results while still allowing playback through shared URLs. With the latest change, the original uploads are now completely unavailable, and YouTube has not issued an official explanation for the decision.

First launched in 2010, YouTube Rewind became an annual tradition that highlighted viral trends, popular memes, and top creators from across the platform. While the videos were not personalized, they served as a snapshot of internet culture and the evolution of online creators. However, mounting criticism—most notably surrounding YouTube Rewind 2018, which became the most-disliked video in platform history—led YouTube to officially discontinue the series in 2019.

Despite the backlash, the Rewind videos remained publicly available for years, making their sudden removal notable. Fans have taken to social media to express frustration, with many describing the early Rewinds as an important archive of 2010s internet culture. Others have speculated that the videos were removed due to expired licensing agreements or unresolved copyright issues tied to music and creator appearances.

This is not a drill. YouTube has privated every installment of YouTube Rewind, as far as I can tell.

Why? I don't know, but I'm not feeling great about it, to be quite honest. pic.twitter.com/oOzmDxSBYt

— Stroomp (@StroompFX) January 8, 2026

youtube rewind 2018 was so ass they ultimately gave the fuck up and pulled the plug https://t.co/Ke12Gd9IvV

— George Harris SR (@GeorgeHarris_SR) January 8, 2026

Some users have also pointed to past controversies involving creator Ryan Higa, who previously claimed YouTube misled him during his involvement with Rewind projects. While no direct link has been confirmed, the speculation continues in the absence of an official statement.

Unofficial reuploads of YouTube Rewind videos remain available on the platform for now, often rebranded with humorous titles. However, it is unclear how long these versions will stay online if YouTube decides to enforce takedowns.