YouTube introduces Recap, a year-end feature that compiles users’ viewing data from 2025. 

Recap became available to North American users on December 2 and will roll out globally this week, according to YouTube Product Manager Manthra Panchapakesan. Users can access the feature on the homepage or under the “You” tab on mobile devices and desktop.

The feature displays up to 12 cards showing top channels, interests, viewing habit evolution, and personality types based on watch history. Users who listened to music receive additional data on top artists and songs, with options to explore genres, podcasts, and international music listening through the YouTube Music app.

YouTube conducted nine rounds of feedback and more than 50 concept tests before finalizing Recap. The platform identified viewer personalities including Adventurer, Skill Builder, Creative Spirit, Sunshiner, Wonder Seeker, Connector, Philosopher, and Dreamer. The most common personalities were Sunshiner, Wonder Seeker, and Connector, while Philosopher and Dreamer emerged as rarer personas.

The platform’s first attempt at an annual review arrives a decade after Spotify launched its Wrapped feature in 2015.

User Reception

Business Insider reports that users responded negatively to Recap on social media, complaining about inaccurate data and missing metrics.

“YouTube is the main platform I watch, so I was excited to see they added a recap this year,” one Reddit user wrote. The user said the feature incorrectly listed their top viewing interest as “sewing tutorials,” adding “It’s clearly just AI garbage.”

Multiple users noted Recap excluded fundamental metrics like total videos watched and total watch time. “That’s all I really cared about,” one Reddit user commented, according to Business Insider.

Platform Comparison

Spotify Wrapped dominated social media during the same period, according to Business Insider. Spotify’s 2025 version includes minutes listened, top artists, artist messages, a “listening age” feature, fan leaderboards, listening clubs, and a listening archive highlighting memorable streaming days.

Business Insider noted YouTube Recap attracted minimal online excitement compared to Spotify Wrapped’s widespread social media presence.