Hi everyone,

I don’t know if it’s just me, but lately I’ve been feeling nostalgic for the days of old YouTube. Does anyone here remember when the site had the little 5-star rating system instead of the “like/dislike” thumbs? I used to scroll through videos and check those ratings, and somehow it felt more authentic, more balanced. People weren’t as polarized about their opinions—it wasn’t just love it or hate it. You could give a video three stars if it was decent, or four stars if it made you laugh but didn’t blow you away. That system gave nuance. Now? Everything feels like it has to be all or nothing, and that’s a pretty good reflection of how the internet has become in general.

On top of that, YouTube used to be ad-free. Imagine that—no constant interruptions for insurance companies, fast food, or some random subscription app you’ll never use. It was pure, uninterrupted content. Then, of course, Google swooped in, and while I understand businesses need to make money, it feels like they’ve squeezed every drop of joy out of the site to wring as much profit as possible.

Back then, YouTube was this little corner of the internet where you could go to watch funny home videos, fan-made music videos, or just learn the lyrics to your favorite songs. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent in high school looking up silly parodies, or finding a new band because someone uploaded a grainy live performance. It wasn’t polished, it wasn’t corporate, and that’s what made it so magical. It was about sharing creativity and laughter, not chasing clicks or pushing ads.

Fast forward to today, and what do we have? Clickbait everywhere. Thumbnails with exaggerated facial expressions, titles in all caps, arrows and circles pointing at nothing, all trying to trick you into clicking. And when you do click, it’s often not even worth the hype. Half the time it feels like every creator is following the same formula, like they’re all being pushed into one mold by the algorithm. The uniqueness is gone.

Speaking of algorithms, let’s talk about that dreaded “For You” page. I don’t know about you, but I feel like it never actually shows me things I’d genuinely want to watch. Instead, it pushes whatever YouTube wants me to watch—big creators, sponsored content, or videos they know will keep me on the platform longer, regardless of my personal interests. It’s frustrating because I used to stumble upon random hidden gems—small channels with big hearts. Now, unless you dig really deep, it’s all about what YouTube wants to feed you.

And the ads… oh, the ads. You can’t even click on a video anymore without sitting through one, two, sometimes three ads back-to-back. It doesn’t matter if it’s a ten-minute video or an hour-long one; the interruptions are relentless. Even with ad blockers, YouTube keeps finding new ways to sneak them in. It’s not about the experience anymore—it’s about the money.

Despite all of this, the crazy part is that YouTube is still insanely popular. People keep coming back, myself included, because at the end of the day, it’s still the largest video platform out there. But it feels more like a necessary evil than a beloved hangout spot. We go because there’s no real alternative, not because it’s the fun and carefree place it once was.

So yeah, I guess this is my little goodbye to the YouTube I grew up with. The OG YouTube—the one with five-star ratings, quirky uploads, and a true sense of community. You were fun while you lasted. You brought me laughter, music, and moments of escape. But the version of YouTube we have today? It’s just not the same.

Does anyone else feel the same way? Or maybe you think modern YouTube still has its perks? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Maybe I’m just being sentimental, but I can’t help missing the bees knees version of YouTube we lost.

– Constance