Today, YouTube finally unveiled it's annual 'YouTube Rewind' video - a 'celebration' of all the creators and trends that carried us through 2017.
The video featured a number of YouTube's faces, with a medley of popular songs and themes from across the year.
However, the creators not directly involved with YouTube's annual self-congratulating parade had a number of things to say about the YouTube Rewind 2017.
Many YouTubers expressed utter disdain for the video, imploring their communities to remember that YouTube hasn't been all that kind to it's creators this year.
I actively despise YouTube Rewind.
— Many A True Nerd (@ManyATrueNerd) December 6, 2017
Oh, sure, 2017 was the year YouTube's missteps alienated and hurt 99% of its small and medium sized creators, but IGNORE THAT, here's the YT aristocracy we can be bothered with wanking each other off. ALSO MEMES.https://t.co/q3TxnOxyqT
Other YouTubers criticsed the video for featuring creators and channels that haven't grown for years, over those that have enjoyed a surge in poopularity in 2017.
YouTube rewind 2017
— KEEM
trying so hard not to hate but ......
YOU STILL HAVE IRRELEVANT YOUTUBERS FROM 2013 THAT HAVE DYING CHANNELS THAT GET NO VIEWS & LOSE SUBS EVERY MONTH IN YOUR REWIND VID ONLY CUS YOU FRIENDS WITH THEM! THE VID SHOULD REP WHOS POPPING IN 2017 NOT 2013!
It seems the vast majority of YouTube's creators are not endorsing the platform's attempts of showcasing how fantastic the year has been. YouTube has gone through a series of changes this year, including two large advertising purges due to misconduct on the site.
This had led to thousands upon thousands of creators losing their revenue streams and having to seek other forms of income, whilst still producing content for YouTube.
YouTube has failed to fix its mass demonetisation problem, a problem that has effectively alienated a large proportion of its users. If YouTubers aren't sustaining their income through YouTube, then they'll be forced to go elsewhere.
Lets YouTube Rewind back to when @SusanWojcicki didn't own our demonetized souls
— Max (@maxmoefoe) December 6, 2017
Changes on the horizon
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki published a blog post earlier this week, detailing how YouTube is going to 'boost its efforts' to tackle abuse of the platform, and well as seeking to win back the trust of advertisers.
However, YouTubers are not convinced that anything is going to change. The time of year is also a worry for creators; December (and Christmas) brings advertisers.
Revenue per 1000 impressions (RPM) represents the estimated earnings that creators accrue for every 1000 impressions that they receive on a video. More watch time means more advertisements. The higher income means YouTubers can see themselves through the losses of January to April.
The most recent advertising exodus is going to absolutely destroy the very necessary December RPMs, leaving a lot of YouTubers worrying where their income is going to come from.
Creators can only hope that YouTube begin to address the problem, before it's too late.
Update: the YouTube Rewind video is now available to view again, after it was removed for... violating YouTube's terms of service.
