YouTube officially launched its 2025 Recap this week with the slogan “Made for you, by you.” This new feature gives users a personalized summary of their video viewing habits from the past year. While the platform has previously offered recaps for music and gaming, this update marks the first time the main YouTube app provides a comprehensive review of all video consumption. The update is currently rolling out to users in North America and India, with global availability expected later this week.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Recap analyzes your watch history to create a personalized summary.
- Users receive up to 12 interactive cards showing top channels, interests, and trends.
- The feature assigns a “viewer personality” such as Sunshiner, Wonder Seeker, or Connector.
- You can access the Recap through the “You” tab in the mobile app or on the desktop website.
A New Way to See Your Year
This update brings YouTube in line with other major platforms that offer end-of-year reviews, and I think it feels like something users might have been expecting for a while. The company spent significant time refining the experience, conducting nine rounds of feedback and over 50 concept tests to make sure it actually resonates with viewers. The result is a polished presentation that turns data points into a story about your interests, which perhaps feels more meaningful than just a list of stats.
The Recap generates a series of shareable cards. These cards display your most-watched channels, the topics you spent the most time on, and how your interests shifted throughout 2025. For example, a user might see that they started the year watching cooking tutorials but shifted toward tech reviews by the winter. This narrative approach helps users understand their own changing tastes, even if some of those shifts feel a little unexpected in hindsight.
Discover Your Viewer Personality
One of the most distinct features of the 2025 Recap is the assignment of a “viewer personality.” The system analyzes the types of videos you watch to categorize your viewing style, and the result can feel surprisingly reflective.
Common personalities include the Sunshiner, who watches positive and uplifting content, and the Wonder Seeker, who spends time on educational or discovery-based videos. The Connector personality applies to users who engage deeply with community-focused content. Rarer types include the Philosopher and the Dreamer. This categorization adds a fun, social element that encourages users to share their results with friends, even if the label doesn’t always feel like a perfect fit.
Music and Interaction
The 2025 Recap is not limited to standard video content. If you frequently use the main YouTube app for music, your summary will also include data on your top artists and songs. This integration ensures that users who prefer the main platform over the dedicated Music app still get credit for their listening history, which feels like a thoughtful addition.
Users can save their Recap cards and playlists to their library. This allows you to revisit your 2025 favorites even after the new year begins. The feature also supports direct sharing to social media platforms, making it easy to post your stats and compare them with others. It’s the kind of thing many people will likely come back to more than once, just to look over how their habits changed.
How to Access Your Recap
Finding your 2025 Recap is simple. On mobile devices, open the YouTube app and tap the “You” tab at the bottom of the screen. A banner labeled “Your Recap is here” should appear. If you do not see the banner, you can check if your app requires an update. Desktop users can visit the dedicated Recap URL to view their summary on a larger screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why can I not see my 2025 YouTube Recap?
A. You may not have enough watch history from the past year. The feature requires a minimum amount of viewing data to generate accurate stats. Also, ensure your watch history is not paused in your settings.
Q. Is the Recap available for YouTube Kids profiles?
A. No, the personalized Recap feature is currently available only for standard YouTube accounts and is not designed for YouTube Kids profiles.
Q. Can I share my Recap results on other social media apps?
A. Yes. The feature allows you to download individual cards or share them directly to platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.
Q. Does this include videos I watched in Incognito Mode?
A. No. Any content watched while in Incognito Mode or while your watch history was paused does not count toward your Recap statistics.
Q. Is this different from the YouTube Music Recap?
A. Yes. This Recap covers all video types on the main YouTube platform. There is a separate Recap specifically for the YouTube Music app that focuses solely on audio streaming habits and album art features.
