Wordle has made social media a friendlier place to be

The simple word game continues to dominate our Twitter feeds and Slack chats and we’re better off for it, writes Laura Hampson

‘For so long social media has felt like a chore rather than a joy. Wordle has brought people together, discussing scores, strategies and giving each other gentle words of encouragement’ (Getty)

Who knew that a simple word game could bring us so much joy? That’s been the case with Wordle, the green and yellow-squared game that has dominated our Twitter feeds since it first went viral in the new year.

The premise of the game, which was acquired by The New York Times earlier this month, is rather straightforward: there is one five-letter word released globally each day and users have six attempts at guessing the word. Letters guessed correctly, but not in the correct place turn yellow, while letters in the correct spot turn green.

In fact, the game is so popular that a new Twitter report says there were 1.3 million Wordle tweets in January alone, with 16 times as many mentions on 31 January as there were on New Year’s Day. It added that the most popular time to play Wordle is on the way to work or during a tea break.

Perhaps it’s this simplicity, along with the sharing function of the game, that has made it a hit. Lynne Murphy, professor of linguistics at the University of Sussex, certainly thinks so. Earlier this week she told The Independent that the popularity of the game was down to its social element.

“A big part [of the game’s popularity] is the social – and yet not really competitive – aspect of Wordle,” she said.

“Friends compare scores but also wonder at each other’s strategies. There’s just enough information in the ‘share’ to make for an interesting post-mortem on your own attempt, but not enough to spoil the fun for others.”

Strategies, particularly player’s starting words, have been a hot topic among WhatsApp group chats this week. When I asked people on Twitter what their favourite starting words were (my personal preferences are “ouija” and “audio”), responses ranged from “chair” to “treat”, “adieu”, “ocean” and “hyena”.

For so long social media, particularly Twitter, has felt like a chore rather than a joy. Yet, Wordle has brought people on the platform together, discussing scores and strategies and giving each other gentle words of encouragement.

It’s probably no surprise that the game can make us feel connected to each other. After all creator, New York-based Welsh software engineer Josh Wardle developed the game as an act of love for his partner, Palak Shah, who he said “loves” word games. A game rooted in, and made with, love was sure to be a hit from the get-go.

Yours,

Laura Hampson

Deputy lifestyle editor