Even in the vast digital ocean of YouTube, some videos just disappear. Whether it’s due to copyright strikes, creator decisions, platform policy violations, or simply fading into obscurity, countless uploads vanish from public view every day. But here’s the thing about the internet: it never truly forgets. Thanks to dedicated archivists, persistent fans, and the sheer power of collective memory, many of these “deleted” or infamous videos live on in various corners of the web.
This phenomenon highlights a crucial aspect of our digital age: while platforms can control what they host, they can’t always erase what’s been seen and shared. The internet’s decentralized nature and the human desire to preserve information mean that even if a video is scrubbed from its original home, it might still exist elsewhere.
Iconic & Infamous Deletions: A Closer Look
Beyond the general reasons for video removals, some videos gain legendary status either for their bizarre content, their controversial nature, or their very brief existence. Here’s a look at some of these specific cases:
Unus Annus (2019-2020)
Perhaps one of the most unique cases of intentional deletion was the channel Unus Annus. Created by popular YouTubers Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) and Ethan Nestor (CrankGameplays), the channel’s entire premise was its one-year lifespan. Every video uploaded was set to be deleted after exactly one year. On November 13, 2020, true to their word, the channel, along with all its content, was permanently removed. While you won’t find the original videos, dedicated fans have archived and re-uploaded fragments, and discussions about the channel’s unique experiment continue across the web.
“Dear Fat People” by Nicole Arbour (2015)
Comedian Nicole Arbour’s controversial video, “Dear Fat People,” uploaded in 2015, sparked widespread outrage and accusations of fat-shaming. The video quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons, drawing immense criticism from viewers and media outlets. Due to the backlash and reports of violating community guidelines, the video was eventually removed from YouTube. Despite its removal, the controversy surrounding it, along with reactions and analyses, remains a significant topic in discussions about online content and body image.
Machinima’s Mass Deletions (2019)
Machinima was a pioneering YouTube network that gained immense popularity for its gaming content, particularly animated shorts created using video game engines. However, in 2019, due to corporate restructuring and changes in ownership, a vast majority of their original content was suddenly and without warning made unavailable or deleted. This mass deletion shocked many long-time fans who had grown up with the channel’s unique programming. While some content was eventually re-uploaded to new channels or discovered through archives, a significant portion of Machinima’s historical catalog remains inaccessible, leaving a gap in YouTube’s gaming history.
The Original “RickRoll’d” Video (Original Upload Date Unknown, Brief Removal)
The iconic internet meme, “RickRoll’d,” featuring Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up,” also faced a brief moment of deletion. For a short period, the original music video that served as the foundation for the pervasive meme was taken down from YouTube due to copyright claims. However, due to its immense popularity and cultural significance, it was quickly restored and remains a staple of internet culture. This incident highlighted how even the most widely recognized content can be vulnerable to takedowns, even if temporarily.
More Deep Cuts from the Digital Archive:
“Everybody Votes Channel – Smash Bros. Brawl” (2008)
Everybody Votes Channel Overview | Nintendo Support
This video likely refers to content related to the “Everybody Votes Channel” on the Nintendo Wii, where users could vote on various topics. When “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” was released in 2008, fan-made content, discussions, or even unofficial gameplay uploads using elements from the game would have been common. Videos like this often faced deletion due to copyright infringement from Nintendo, as companies are vigilant about unauthorized use of their intellectual property, especially around major game releases. While the original user-uploaded video might be gone, its memory persists in fan forums and older discussions.
“2 Girls 1 Cup Reaction Videos” (2007)
The original “2 Girls 1 Cup” was a notorious shock video from a 2007 Brazilian scat fetish film trailer. While the original video itself was not hosted by YouTube, it spawned a massive wave of “reaction videos” where unsuspecting viewers filmed their horrified responses. Many of these reaction videos gained viral status. However, due to YouTube’s strict Community Guidelines against graphic or disgusting content, a vast number of these reaction videos were ultimately removed. Despite the deletions, the cultural impact of these reactions is undeniable, cementing their place in early internet shock culture.
“Jimmy Jump invades Eurovision” (2010)
Jimmy Jump is a well-known streaker and pitch invader, famous for disrupting major live events. In 2010, he notoriously invaded the stage during Spain’s performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Footage of this incident, particularly the raw, unedited captures uploaded by viewers, spread rapidly on YouTube. While official broadcasters’ versions might still exist, many user-uploaded clips were likely taken down due to copyright claims by Eurovision organizers or broadcasting networks, as live event footage is heavily protected.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Jump
“Obedece a la morsa” (2008)
Translated as “Obey the Walrus,” this is a deeply unsettling and somewhat surreal video that went viral in 2008. It features a transgender woman, Johnnie Baima (also known as “The Goddess Bunny”), dancing and performing in various bizarre costumes, set to eerie music. The video’s disturbing nature and perceived creepiness led to its viral spread and often served as a “screamer” or shock video. Due to its potentially disturbing or unsettling content, and possibly its use in contexts designed to frighten, many uploads of “Obedece a la morsa” have been removed by YouTube, though re-uploads and analyses still circulate.
“Kidz Bop Karen” (2020)
This viral video from 2020 captured a woman, dubbed “Kidz Bop Karen,” aggressively confronting people in a store while listening to “Kidz Bop” music. The video showcased what many perceived as entitled or inappropriate public behavior. Videos like this, capturing real-life public confrontations, often go viral but can be subject to deletion if they depict harassment, doxing, or violate privacy policies, or if the individuals involved request their removal. The term “Karen” itself became a widely recognized internet meme after this and similar incidents.
Everything We Know About “Kidz Bop Karen,” Twitter’s Latest Meme
“Banana Phone Animation” (2006)
Based on the popular Raffi song “Banana Phone,” this animated video was a simple, quirky, and highly catchy creation that became an early viral hit on YouTube in 2006. It showcased the power of simple, humorous animations in the early days of the platform. While the original upload might be hard to pinpoint due to its age and the proliferation of copies, it’s possible such videos were removed due to copyright claims from the original song’s rights holders (though often these older viral videos simply get lost in the platform’s evolution or replaced by higher-quality re-uploads). Its catchy tune and memorable imagery ensure its place in early YouTube nostalgia.
“The Max Headroom Hack” (1987 TV recording, uploaded to YouTube in 2006)
This refers to a chilling and infamous incident from 1987 where the broadcast signals of two Chicago television stations were hijacked by an unknown individual disguised as the artificial intelligence character Max Headroom. The bizarre, distorted video and audio interruptions lasted for several minutes and were never officially solved. Recordings of this actual TV hack, when uploaded to YouTube, quickly garnered immense fascination. While some versions remain, older uploads might have been removed due to copyright from the original broadcasters or perhaps even for their disturbing nature, though the historical significance usually grants some leeway. It’s a prime example of an offline event finding new life and notoriety online.
Max Headroom signal hijacking – Wikipedia
“Charlie Bit Me… REMIX” (Original “Charlie Bit My Finger” in 2007)
The original “Charlie Bit My Finger” (2007) was one of the earliest and most successful viral videos on YouTube, featuring two young brothers, Harry and Charlie, with Charlie biting Harry’s finger. The sheer popularity of this video led to countless parodies, re-enactments, and, notably, “REMIX” versions that cut, re-edited, or added music/effects to the original footage. While many of these remixes still exist, some might have faced deletion due to copyright claims by the Davies-Carr family (who owned the rights to the original video, eventually selling it as an NFT), or simply for being low-quality or derivative content that YouTube’s algorithms might clean up over time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Bit_My_Finger
The Enduring Power of Digital Memory
The fact that so many “deleted” or infamous videos persist underscores the internet’s role as an unprecedented archive of human culture and information. While it can be frustrating to search for a video only to find it gone, it’s also a testament to the dedication of those who believe certain content is worth preserving, regardless of its official status.
So, the next time you hear about a YouTube video that’s been wiped from existence, remember this: the internet never forgets. With a little digging, you might just find that what was once lost can indeed be found.