The YouTube Logo’s History and Design Evolution

YouTube first appeared on the scene in 2005 as a minor video-sharing site. It didn’t take long for its popularity to grow and it to become one of the most visited sites in the world. When people think about the YouTube logo, they think of something simple but that shows the user exactly what they’ll experience on the site. 

As with any brand that’s been around for almost two decades, YouTube’s original design is different from what they use today. Taking an in-depth look at the design from start to refinement showcases how a brand image grows and changes while still keeping the same mission behind the look. 

Meaning of YouTube’s Logo

If you’re looking for some deep hidden meaning in YouTube’s logos, you won’t find it. The logo symbolizes exactly what it appears to, sharing videos. The current play symbol stands for the way YouTube changed online consumption of videos. Although the logo was quite simple at its inception, the changes show the growth of video streaming the company over time with subtle shifts, such as adding the play icon. 

The First YouTube Logo

Three former PayPal employees formed the company, making history and taking it to the 933 million plus users it has today. The company helped shape online video streaming, setting the stage before Facebook added Reels or TikTok arrived on the scene. 

The original YouTube logo had the word You with a sans serif font and the word Tube inside a red rectangle with a slight three-dimensional look like an old television box. 

YouTube used the original logo from 2005 until 2007 and again in 2008 until about 2010. Sometimes it appeared with a trademark and with the words “broadcast yourself.” 

The YouTube Logos Through the Years

As with most brands, the YouTube logo changed through the years as the company grew and morphed. The original mission of sharing videos for others to stream remains, so the meanings behind the symbols are similar between 2005 and 2024. After the original logo, YouTube introduced some other favorites.

2011 to 2013 

The logo got an upgrade to a darker red without the reflective quality of the original logo. The similar look escaped the radar of most site users. The edging that made the original look three-dimensional disappeared and the white spot disappeared from the upper right corner of the logo. 

2013 to 2015

Another slight shift in the design happened in 2013 and carried through to 2015. Note the red becomes a bit brighter on the rectangle, back to the more original colors. The black on the word “you” grows darker, making it pop ever so slightly. They stuck with the second logo version by leaving out the three dimensional effects. 

2015 to 2017

Again, there is very minor change for the next version of the logo. The red is a tiny bit darker if you compare them side by side. The font and weight of the letters remain the same. 

2017 to Today

After sticking with the same basic look for over a decade, YouTube shifted their design and created what they still use today. The change was drastic but still recognizable. The company removed all letters from the red rectangle and brightened it up. They added a play icon inside the rectangle. They then shifted the word YouTube to the right and brought the two parts of the name closer together to signal the brand as a single word. 

A Little About the YouTube Logo Color Palette

YouTube lists its logo colors as: 

• YouTube Red – #FF0000 
• White – FFFFFF 
• Almost Black – #282828

White and black are neutral colors often seen as elegant and minimalistic. Red can signify passion and excitement. Around 90% of people’s impressions about a brand come from the colors used. Savvy marketers know color psychology impacts how people perceive and remember a company. Red makes a bold, bright statement that draws users in and may partially explain YouTube’s meteoric rise to popularity. 

What Font Does YouTube Logo Use?

The font is a customized one made especially for YouTube but has a sans serif base. The strokes are straight, tall and bold, giving the words a crisp, modern feel. Throughout the versions, YouTube stuck to the same typography, giving it an iconic feel and making the brand memorable with users.

Special Occasion YouTube Logos

If you thought YouTube was done with their main logo, you’d be mistaken. They also have a number of special occasion logos they use temporarily to make a statement and tweaks to their logo for special areas of their site. Here are a few examples:

As people turn to YouTube as a streaming service, the company has looked for ways to keep viewing safe for younger audiences. YouTube Kids is one way to connect on mobile devices and keep parents assured their children are safe. 

YouTube embraced Black History Month by opening up the logo design to people within their online community. The logo above is one of several they used for the month, featuring a new designer and look each week. 

YouTube is known for their simple, sans serif typeface, but they made an exception to celebrate calligraphy on their website. The beautiful, decorative font offers an interesting take on the art and those who share how-to videos about calligraphy on the platform. 

Get ready with me is an entire category on YouTube with millions of users watching. Whether it is for makeup tips, hair care or overall beauty, the company decided to celebrate those creating GRWM viewing with a one-off logo. Note they kept the player icon and added graphics to the right in place of the word “YouTube.”

Cutting Edge Changes

The YouTube logo is instantly recognizable. The extended use of color choices and the font help establish a brand voice that carries to new looks from year to year. Designers can learn a lot about how to create a consistent voice by studying YouTube’s minor changes that keep the business personality the same.

In the last few years, YouTube has stepped up the specialized logos to showcase various influencers, holidays and celebrations. It will be interesting to see where it goes next.