what was old agtube, and why do we miss it so much? (commentary/video essay)

[@dollpostcards]

if you have stumbled across this video and are super confused, here’s an explanation! agtube (aka “american girl doll youtube”) is a community of people who make videos (typically stopmotions) with their dolls. my first video in this series (called "agtube culture"), though still targeted towards agtubers, gives a pretty good introduction in the community if any of y'all are interested!! i was not expecting this to reach anyone besides my subscribers at all, so i didn’t explain what agtube is because all of my subscribers are in the community!! my videos haven’t done super well lately, so i thought the safest thing was to target this video towards my audience, but i guess youtube had other plans lol. this has given me the idea to make a video for non-agtubers, though! i've always thought about how it would be neat to introduce other people to this relatively unknown corner of the internet, and with the popularity of ag memes lately, i think there may be some interest in that. i wasn’t expecting this video to do well, so thank you so much!! :)

[@fantasyheights7448]

just recently decided to finally get a doll and start collecting again as an adult, but it really broke my heart to see lack of new ag content on KZbin and to see that so many people honestly seemed to have stopped posting about a year or two ago. I feel like it adds to the whole feeling of missing old ag tube :( I remember what it used to be like just seemed easier to find and more active… but I’m going to make an account and start posting, and I’ve found some cool ag accounts just by looking through these comments :) awesome video and I hope you keep making content

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!! i agree, it feels kinda empty on here nowadays :( youtube trends come and go but i hope agtube doesn’t go away

[@thatdollstudio8662]

This video is so interesting! It’s weird to think about the fact that currently we miss the “golden era of agtube”, but in 5-10 years new agtubers might consider this time period the prime of agtube. It’s crazy to think about the fact that the “prime of agtube” is merely just perspective.

[@dollpostcards]

yesss exactly!!! i feel like i learned a lot by making this video so i’m glad other people found it interesting :)

[@ellie_simply]

I kind of think of it as because a lot of the more favorited creators grew up and have sadly stopped making content. Hopefully after new creators resurface, we'll think of it as great again!

[@mchobbit2951]

I actually prefer agtube now. The deep dives/long form content and stuff is just a lot more interesting. The stuff like stopmotion and stuff...it gets old.

[@AllieAnnStopmotions]

This was such a relatable video for me! Old AGTube always gives me so much nostalgia and inspiration but actually for me I always think of old AGTube between 2016 and 2018 because that is around the time I started watching it. It was so helpful of you to do a deep dive into the idea and it really inspired me to look back on some of my favourite AGTube videos that I haven't watched since I was 7 or 8. When I was younger I watched a lot of Mixiepixie7, basilmentos, agsmiles, 5dollstars, rockstar13studios and 4happyhipos but I know that this could be different for other people. I don't remember ever watching girloftheyearstudios other than when I just click on a video that has the title AGSM. Thank you so much for this! It really made my day!

[@dollpostcards]

aww thank you so much, i’m glad you liked it!!

[@isasmunecas]

this was so interesting!! I like to consider old agtube from 2009-2012 because that's when I think the older, "iconic" creators were still active. I think the modern shift on agtube came partly from newer channels being made by younger kids which started a new style of content being popularized like doll challenges, vlogs, etc, while old agtube content included more music videos and photo shoots idk lol

[@VioletNKisHere]

For me, Old Ag is before my time. All these “old AGTube” videos feeling when they are from before your time and the channel is inactive is always this feeling of walking down a dark tunnel trying to find a light, but you know deep down you’ll never find it, so you try to piece what you get,

[@aglucky13studios]

I’ve been on AGTube since 2008 and I have been an active viewer (and attempted creator) in the community ever since. It’s so cool to see someone actually discussing and researching the trends and changes in AGTube over time that I was able to witness first hand! Ive had many of these same thoughts! In fact, related to your comment about what we watched growing up influencing our content, I still notice that as an adult AGTuber today!! I have been working on my series script and have had to scrap so many parallels to Harry Potter, Aspen Heights, Winx Club, and so many other shows, books, and movies I loved growing up!

[@Agpals]

AHH I love the old AG days!! I remember first discovering AGTube back on 2008, and became a creator shortly after. It has evolved so much!

[@dollpostcards]

omg hi, i loved your videos growing up!! agtube has changed so much, but i think it’s interesting to look back and compare it to videos today :)

[@rhyswingreen]

i think it’s crazy how big of an impact agtube had on my life. like i remember in middle school watching rockstar13studios, mixiepixie7 and agsmiless and becoming an agtuber myself and now im on my way to college studying film.

[@TheDollFam]

I love this so much! I miss the Golden Era of AGTube! Old AGTube is so amazing! I agree that when filming videos as kids it’s about fun but now everyone puts so much effort on making a good video than having fun!

[@dollpostcards]

thank you!!

[@NomieDolls]

I love this! I basically grew up with agtube and the community but didn’t have my own channel until 2020 ♥️ I miss old agtube a lot but I love videos like this that sort of show examples and explain

[@dollpostcards]

thank you!! 💖

[@dollpostcards]

@Tails UwU it’s american girl doll youtube!

[@Homestonearts]

The KZbin algorithm sent me here, I didn’t know what agtube was. This video showed me a totally new thing on KZbin. And I can relate to everything you said in the video, because I was making stopmotion lego films back in 2008 and I kinda see the parallels to agtube and brickfilm scene on youtube. Keep the good content up. :-)

[@dollpostcards]

that's really cool!! i loved legos as a kid too, so i feel like if i had never gotten into dolls, maybe i would have made films with them instead :) thank you so much!!

[@AGJitters]

i'm so late to this because i was on vacation, but i love love love this video (also honored by the random mention haha) this community has shaped my life (literally - as ive also gone into film because of agtube). i never put the two and two together that live action videos are usually more silly and less serious but you're so right about that! i personally don't miss "old agtube," rather i miss certain creators who i used to really enjoy watching

[@AllycatlovesAG]

This was so well executed! For me, when I think of old agtube I think of videos of different careers like a smoothie shop, a spa day or the hairdresser. And then as you said the live action videos were always chaotic like dolls zip lining, getting thrown around or even testing out editing effects. I’m excited for the upcoming agtube history videos and if you ever need help let me know!

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!!! and true, there were so many videos about dolls having jobs haha. i wonder if it was just a trend, or maybe kids just want to put their dolls in more grown-up situations? i'm not sure, but it's interesting to think about!!

[@AllycatlovesAG]

@@dollpostcards I feel like agtube has evolved to where the dolls are a family and the stop motions revolve around the families activities. Compared to old agtube where it was more common to use dolls as actors who plays various roles as necessary

[@innerstarstudioss]

Woah Mary this is so cool! I’m honestly so in shock and I totally agree with these points! You definitely worded this video so well am I’m honestly so blown away! When I think of Old AGTube I think of 2013-2017 as I am younger than you:) Old AGTube (no matter what era you think it is) is always so impactful and definitely is the thing that inspires me most to create! Also thanks for featuring me!

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!! i’m glad you liked it :)

[@CapeCardamDolls]

I love this series so much !! It’s so interesting how what people define as old agtube depends on their perspective ! I always thought of it as being around 2015-2018, but I realized that in those years I was part of AG’s target demographic, so logically they do feel nostalgic for me.

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!! i’m glad you liked it :)

[@circusandtea]

You always do such a good job on these, Mary. I love the thought and detail you put in!

[@dollpostcards]

aww thank you so much!!

[@AgwithAjm]

I started watching Agtube in 2018 and I love watching basilmentos, this was a great video!

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!!

[@agappleslices]

Great video Mary!! So ironic I was literally just thinking about ag nostalgia yesterday! I remember when I was 7 years old and I used to watch choles American girl doll channel, and American girl just do it (ag craft videos) but one thing I vividly remember is this one AGSM the first agsm I've ever watched was a GOTY 2008, Mia room tour AGSM. By ultimate AG! It's so nostalgic for me!!! When I was 8, I took it upon myself to make an AGSM on my I phone 6 LOL. I was so proud of it! Then I turned 9 and I found the queen Mixiepixie7 and I loved all the videos! ever since then I made some super low-quality AGSM's and then today, I'm so grateful to be a part of this community! This made my day to see AGTubers who still care and appreciate their past! I love how your channel represents AGTube nostalgia so much! ~Sofie

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!! your comment reminded me of a video i haven’t thought about in years omg! i used to love this one ag house tour… i’m not sure if it exists anymore but i want to go find it now :)

[@ag.ashgirl1904]

This is so very cute to see i definitely wished i could have been around for these years. Me being a ye old 25 year old 😂 AG and KZbin didn't really go together for back then. AG was always just down to earth playing it was a break from technology. Before smartphones, my technology exposure was a Nintendo DS and my parents laptop. I made homevideos with my dad's old camcorder as a kid but it never even crossed my mind to fill it with doll stuff. KZbin was fairly new when i had access to it, and it was often unfiltered chaotic kid videos that my parents were like "😲 no go play instead of watching videos." I'm so glad you make these AGTube history videos. Makes me nostalgic for a time i never experienced.

[@VioletNKisHere]

I feel like the modern videos are more comedic, which is why probably everything I watch was from 2016-.

[@Victoria-_]

I miss old AGTube so so much 😭

[@AGBob_DollPants]

I loved this video! I discovered AGTube in 2014 but I quickly found some of the old iconic videos because they were some of the most popular. I will say though I do miss the more carefree vibes like from the slowmo hair flip disorder video because that’s how I kinda like my videos, I like funnier plot lines that don’t really make much sense. One of my favorite agtubers who disappeared was cameraclickag, I thought they were SO FUNNY and I loved their style of videos and I hope to kinda encapsulate those carefree, nonsensical vibes through my current videos

[@Bunnyisms]

Ahh I remember what it was like when I found all the AG videos on youtube when I was little. My world was never the same after that

[@ZJL_Dolls]

This was sooo cool! The first stop motion I ever watched was The Lost Dog from Basilmentos. I called stop motion computer magic because I didn't know what it was.

[@dollpostcards]

thank you!! i remember watching my first stopmotion and being amazed too haha.

[@CloversandHoneyAG]

I can't wait for the diversity in agtube video, as well as the gender studies video! Ahh, this series is going to turn out so good; I can already tell! Great video, and I can't wait for more!!

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!! :)

[@justdreamstudios]

Can't wait for more videos in this series

[@disabledaacount]

I loved this! It was so cool to learn about old AGtube! The first video I ever watched was Making Waves by Mixiepixie7 and I was so amazed! Great job with this video!

[@dollpostcards]

thank you so much!!

[@ran.glacialis]

Interesting video. Unlike probably a majority of people here I discovered agtube because of stop motions and not dolls, this in early 2017. Other than basilmentos I don't think I really watched any of the channels you mention in this video. But as for quality that improved, part is certainly because creators now are older, but I think a more important factor is that technology has evolved. I mean, even the best quality youtube videos from 15 years ago are really bad quality for today's standards. Looking forward to what you have to say about the next topics!

[@SydneyJeanFilms]

AMAZING. 11/10 would recommend. I'm actually posting a videoessay later but it's not about AGTube

[@dollpostcards]

thank you!! and ooo that’s cool :)

[@VioletNKisHere]

I filmed a video of me playing with my dolls recently and I still play to storytell. I felt like I was watching a video I made when I was eight lol.

[@cutenessdollsproductions]

It's so interesting how the agtube community has changed. It's sad how most new agtube videos don't have many views, even if they are really high quality.

[@dollpostcards]

yes!! it makes me sad too, but i hope agtube videos start getting more recognition soon :)

[@zoereed6539]

What is agtube

[@zoereed6539]

And what’s the point of it, ideas, I feel like I just stumbled into a different culture

[@dollpostcards]

@@zoereed6539 hey, sorry for the confusion!! agtube is american girl doll youtube :) all of my subscribers already know what it is, and i wasn’t expecting this to reach anyone else, or else i would have explained it better 😭