[5] The video was criticized for the inclusion of unpopular or outdated trends and the exclusion of many prominent YouTubers of the year, as well as rivalries such as KSI vs Logan Paul and PewDiePie vs T-Series.

[8] The video themes around everyone being able to control YouTube Rewind, with various featured personalities describing what events they want to review.

The group suggests that the Rewind should have K-pop, references to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the internet meme 'Bongo Cat,' a science experiment involving melting lipstick, and the inclusion of electronic musician Marshmello, whose mask is removed and revealed to be Mason Ramsey underneath.

Various comments are featured, featuring pop culture references to the costumes in Kanye West and Lil Pump's "I Love It" music video, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the children's song Baby Shark, and the Dame Tu Cosita dance craze.

The 'Sister Squad' (James Charles, Dolan Twins, and Emma Chamberlain) are then shown in outer space, driving a car resembling Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster.

While the credits are playing, Primitive Technology is featured, sculpting the YouTube Rewind logo with clay.

She states that "it's increasingly apparent, however, that YouTube is trying to sell a culture that's different from the one millions of people come to the platform for, and that's getting harder for both creators and fans to swallow.

"[18] Meira Gebel of Business Insider shared a similar sentiment, saying "The video appears to be an attempt for the company to keep advertisers on its side following a rather rocky 2018.

[22] Marques Brownlee, who was prominently featured in the video, said Rewind had once been a "big celebration of YouTubers and the biggest events that had happened on the site in a particular year.

"[26] In a statement given to media outlets, YouTube spokeswoman Andrea Faville said that "dethroning 'Baby' in dislikes wasn't exactly our goal this year.