Behind The Play Button Review

YouTube was launched in 2005, and 19 years later there are 2.7 billion monthly active users worldwide. Behind The Play Button is a new podcast that looks at how the platform has evolved into the one we know and love, through three episodes —highlighting all of the highs and lows of the creators who made YouTube what it is.

Host Bel Mahmut is joined by trends expert Pheobe Lewin, gaming specialist Noah McIlroy and beauty and lifestyle authority Khadeejah Rahman to discuss the golden era of YouTube between 2010 and 2015. In the second instalment of the series, the panel covered reaction channels, the boom of gaming creators, diversity in the world of makeup and the differences between content made during the golden era and what is being made today.

Throughout the 30 minute episode, listeners are met with buckets full of personality and varied opinions. The panellists are natural in relaying their opinions and research in engaging ways, moving from one topic to another seamlessly. All of these ingredients create a relaxed listening experience as if you’re in the room with them or talking to your own friends.

Whilst there were points during some discussions where the panellists talked over each other, or went on a tangent too far from the original topic, Bel’s ability to control the conversation helped to ensure listeners’ continued engagement and that all specialists had the chance to speak and challenge each other as they wanted, ensuring the viewpoints of each authority are clear.

Though this episode is focused on 2010-15, at points the panel diverged into events that occurred outside of this timeframe and made more comparisons to how it’s different to YouTube as we know it today rather than how it had actually evolved during the golden era. 

Although they deviated at times to the topic at hand, Behind The Play Button is still an interesting listen for anyone interested in the trends and topics that went on to define the nostalgic period.

You can listen to the full podcast on CovFeed, and interact with their socials @CovFeed on Twitter and TikTok, and @covfeed2 on Instagram.