YouTube Rewind: a video series created as a celebration of each year passed, featuring prominent creator’s and themes from the year. Rewind 2017 has been met with massive controversy after its release last week. With a growing criticism from creators and viewers alike here is the Top 5 Things Wrong with YouTube Rewind 2017.

1. The Hand Holding:

Wait what? Rewind creators tap into the volatile atmosphere of 2017 with an emotional tribute to the tragedies of the year. Creators uniting and joining hands in protest while clips from terrorist attacks and natural disasters play out. And yet, YouTube has faced huge criticism this year for its involvement in the spreading of terrorist content and its use of advertising. A number of leading YouTube creators have highlighted the hypocrisy of this comment in react videos since Rewinds release.

2. Where were they?

We expect to see our favourite YouTuber’s feature in each Rewind video. With the understanding that creators with larger numbers will get more screen time, top names such as Jacksepticeye and Zoella would be expected to feature. With over 59 million viewer subscriptions, Felix Kjellberg AKA Pewdiepie, is the most obvious character missing from the video.The creator has criticised YouTube in a video posted on his channel days after Rewind was released stating that he was not invited to star in this years project.

3. Who is featured.

If you where outraged by who wasn’t featured in this year’s YouTube Rewind, then you may be equally upset at who was. Controversial YouTuber’s: KSI and Jake Paul held leading positions in the videos content. KSI, who in September 2017 publicly mocked the use of medication to treat depression, also has an infamous history of sexism. Similarly, Jake and Logan Paul have been criticised since exploding onto the YouTube scene. With controversial content and childish behaviour the pair appear to be questionable role models to their young audiences.These figures, who are at the forefront of this year’s Rewind, starkly contrast the message of unity and justice presented in the video.

4. Rise of the Facebook Meme.

This years YouTube Rewind felt like less of a celebration of creators and more like an ode to Facebook memes and cultural obsessions. Although previous years have included references to themes of the year – the Harlem Shake and the Ice Bucket Challenge have been key elements to previous Videos- Rewind 2017 focused more on internet sensations from the world of Facebook and Twitter. This seems to undermine the variety of interesting YouTube viral crazes that inspired so many this year.

5. Treatment of creators.

A number of leading creators have criticised YouTube for lack of organisation when filming. Emma Blackery, who’s channel has seen a huge increase in subscribers this year, heavily criticised YouTube for her treatment on set. The singer/vlogger is hardly visible during the final Rewind edit which she claims contrasts her terms of agreement for participation. She further criticised her lack of payment for her involvement in the video and the working conditions on set.