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The full episode, in writing.
If you think you’ve seen online drama, nothing unites and divides the internet like arguing over what YouTube Rewind 2018 did—or didn’t—include. This is the kind of ranking that splits creators, fans, and even casual viewers. By the end, you’ll be itching to change the order or add your own.
Number 5: The Opening with Will Smith and Fortnite
YouTube Rewind 2018 kicked off with Will Smith declaring that Fortnite and Marques Brownlee should be included in the video. Will Smith wasn’t a YouTuber—he was a celebrity Hollywood actor. Fortnite was massive in 2018, but many argued its inclusion felt forced. Fans and creators clashed over this opener because, for the first time, it felt like YouTube was choosing mainstream star power and a globally popular video game as a calculated move to please advertisers rather than spotlight the creators and trends born on YouTube itself. The battle bus scene that followed featured Ninja, a Twitch streamer, as the driver—rubbing salt in the wound for some, since Twitch is a YouTube competitor. The debate here: Was YouTube celebrating what mattered in its own culture, or selling out to what it thought looked good to sponsors and the outside world?
Number 4: The Exclusion of KSI vs. Logan Paul and PewDiePie vs. T-Series
2018 was defined by two creator rivalries: KSI vs. Logan Paul, an actual boxing match watched by millions, and PewDiePie vs. T-Series, a subscriber race that turned into a global meme. Both were left out of the official video. Some YouTubers, like Jaiden Animations, managed to squeeze in Easter eggs—there’s a wall of items spelling out “Sub 2 PewDiePie” and references to the boxing match—but the main video dodged these moments entirely. Fans argue about this omission because these events dominated YouTube’s cultural conversation in 2018. Critics believe YouTube skipped them to keep advertisers happy and avoid controversy. Supporters of the decision point out that the rivalries involved adult themes, edgy humor, and controversy that could scare off sponsors. Viewers still debate whether Rewind should champion the platform’s real drama, or smooth things over for a safe, sanitized summary.
Number 3: The Focus on Outdated or Unpopular Trends
Mukbangs, the “In My Feelings” challenge, melting lipstick, and Baby Shark—YouTube Rewind 2018 jammed in a slew of trends, but many of them were either over by the time the video dropped or weren’t actually huge within the YouTube community. K-pop and Fortnite both made prominent appearances, but the inclusion of some trends struck viewers as pandering or out of touch. According to Nicole Engelman of The Hollywood Reporter, YouTube appeared “out of touch,” and fans latched onto this critique. For every person who enjoyed seeing their favorite meme or video, another complained that the references were months too late or simply missed what made YouTube special that year. The debate rages over what defines a “real” YouTube trend versus a trend that’s just big elsewhere, and whether YouTube’s own staff can even tell the difference.
Number 2: The Exclusion of PewDiePie and the Alleged Shift Toward Advertiser-Friendly Content
PewDiePie was the most-subscribed creator on the platform in 2018, yet he was nowhere to be found in YouTube Rewind 2018. His ongoing rivalry with T-Series was one of the most-watched stories of the year. PewDiePie later said he was “almost glad” not to be included because the video was “so cringey,” but fans were furious. Marques Brownlee, who appeared in the Rewind, later stated that Rewind had turned into “a giant ad for YouTube,” focused on advertiser-friendly content rather than honoring creators. This sparked a huge argument about YouTube’s priorities: was the platform abandoning its roots in favor of what would keep big brands happy? Critics accused YouTube of erasing the creators and moments that made the platform vibrant in favor of a bland, sanitized version of its own culture. Defenders countered that YouTube had every right to try to avoid controversy, especially after several years of scandals. This split is where the “Rewind is dead” sentiment really caught fire.
Number 1: The Record-Breaking Dislike Avalanche
Within just one week of uploading, YouTube Rewind 2018 racked up more than 20 million dislikes—overtaking Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” which had held the previous record for over seven years. By late 2021, Rewind 2018 had accumulated a total of over 20 million dislikes and became the most-disliked video on the entire platform, with a like-to-dislike percentage of about 13.4% positive to 86.6% negative. The dislike campaign was so overwhelming that YouTube responded by discussing the possibility of hiding, explaining, or even removing the dislike button to curb “dislike mobs.” Andrea Faville, a YouTube spokesperson, publicly acknowledged that dethroning “Baby” was “not exactly our goal this year.” Tom Leung, the platform’s director of project management, called removing the dislike button “the most extreme and undemocratic option.” In November 2021, YouTube made dislike counts viewable only to uploaders, explicitly to reduce “dislike attacks.” Fans still argue about whether the backlash was justified, or if it was an overreaction fueled by meme culture and bandwagoning. For some, the sheer scale of the public disapproval transformed Rewind 2018 into a legendary cautionary tale for creators and platforms everywhere.