YouTube is turning pink: Times when logo redesigns failed to impress

YouTube fans have been puzzled by a subtle change in the platform’s familiar look recently. Several users have been noticing how the red progress bar when you watch a video is shifting to a pink gradient. This subtle change has sparked talk of a broader rebranding effort, perhaps even a logo update. Given the platform’s last major visual redesign was in 2019, it’s possible YouTube is gearing up to align itself with a fresher, more modern look, a common trend across digital brands today.

YouTube logo getting changed soon?

YouTube has long retained a clean, recognisable identity with its bright red colour. Yet, the shift to pink in the progress bar could hint at broader changes, especially as other tech giants are also embracing gradient colours and experimenting with logos to keep their brand aesthetic current.

“The visual changes rolling out on web and mobile will also come to the YouTube app on TV. Keep an eye out for new pops of pink, as well as other light touches that add dynamism to the YouTube you know and love,” the company mentioned in a blog post last month.

YouTube also disclosed the change in a post on X, via a relatively unknown handle called Google Design.

"YouTube's identity just got a refresh. The new YouTube color palette features a brand gradient that elevates the UX and reinforces the brand. Say hello to a softer shade of red and eye-catching magenta-infused gradients," the post reads.

YouTube may similarly be looking to refresh its look while balancing the identity that’s made it iconic. However, nothing about an official logo update has been announced.

With that being said, if a logo redesign indeed follows, its impact can be tricky to predict. For example, many brands have misfired in the past when attempting major redesigns, alienating their loyal audience instead of attracting new interest. A potential logo update would mark a big step for YouTube, especially since subtle changes like these can dramatically affect user perception.

As YouTube reportedly considers a new logo redesign, the move brings to mind some memorable and turbulent logo changes from other major brands. Redesigning a logo isn’t a simple task; it can redefine a company’s image, reinforce brand values, and appeal to new audiences. However, as these examples show, a logo change can easily backfire if it doesn’t resonate with consumers or fails to reflect the brand’s core identity. Let us take a look at some examples from the past where a logo redesign didn’t go as planned.

1. Gap’s Short-Lived redesign

Gap, the popular clothing retailer, experienced one of the most infamous logo redesign failures in 2010. With the aim to align with contemporary design trends, Gap abandoned its iconic blue box for a minimalistic Helvetica-based look. This redesign faced immediate backlash, with customers expressing disappointment over the loss of the brand’s warmth and heritage.

Within a week, Gap reverted to its original logo, realising the new version lacked the authenticity their audience valued. This incident underscores the importance of respecting a brand’s legacy. A logo redesign can’t just be trendy; it must feel connected to what loyal users have come to love.

2. Tropicana’s misguided simplicity

In 2009, Tropicana attempted a redesign that would prove costly. The bright, recognisable logo was replaced with a simplistic and sterile version, alienating consumers. Sales plummeted as customers struggled to identify the new packaging, which resembled generic brands rather than a trusted favourite.

Within a few months, Tropicana reverted to its original look, learning the hard way that standing out on the shelves was crucial to its appeal. A toned-down design might not align with a brand that aims to capture and hold people’s attention.

3. Uber’s identity shift

In 2016, Uber tried to distance itself from its ride-sharing origins with a logo that removed its familiar “U” in favour of a geometric symbol. The change confused users, and the loss of instant brand recognition led Uber to make adjustments, later adding the name “Uber” below the symbol for clarity. By 2018, Uber dropped the icon altogether, reverting to a more traditional logo that better aligned with its global user base

4. Pepsi’s pricey tilted strip

Pepsi reportedly spent a staggering $1 million in 2008 to reorient the white stripe on its logo into a “smile,” hoping to evoke a friendlier brand image. However, the change was so subtle that many consumers didn’t notice or understand the rationale behind it. The company’s large expenditure didn’t translate into brand enhancement, serving as a reminder that a high investment doesn’t guarantee a logo’s success.

Last year, Pepsi’s logo changed again and brought back the white wave closer to how it was before the 2008 design change.

5. Myntra’s logo controversy

In early 2021, Myntra, an Indian e-commerce giant, faced a unique challenge when it had to change its logo following a complaint from a social activist. The activist claimed that Myntra’s then-redesigned logo was offensive and insulting to women, and the company had to update the design.

DCP Rashmi Karandikar of Mumbai Police's Cyber Crime Department had said at the time, "We found that the logo was offensive in nature for women. Following the complaint, we sent an email to Myntra and their officials came and met us. The officials said they will change the logo in a month's time."

This case highlights the importance of anticipating public perception, especially in today’s highly connected and sensitive social environment.