The incredible rise of Wordle – visualized!
Plotting the global success of the viral word puzzle in data graphics
Inspired by the worldwide success of the hit game Wordle, we at Flourish wanted to dive deeper into the craze surrounding the puzzle and visualize the most interesting Wordle stats. Since its launch in October last year, the word game has become a viral success thanks to its straightforward gameplay and shareable nature. And in less than six months, the number of players has reached more than 2 million.
With such huge user involvement, Wordle presents a great opportunity for visualizing data – from Google Trends to the most popular starting words. Below, you will find a few of our favorite findings about the beloved game.
How does Wordle work?
The purpose of the game is pretty straightforward – you have six attempts to guess the 5-letter word of the day. The colors provide visual clues, with grey, yellow and green pointing you in the right direction.
Sharing your score with friends or on social media is easy, thanks to the “Share” button that automatically generates a spoiler-free emoji version of your progress. But how many people actually do this?
Where is Wordle most popular?
Wordle is mostly played by English speakers, but the countries obsessed with the puzzle game may surprise you!
Strategic or casual player?
There is a high chance you have a favorite, foolproof word you always guess first. While vowel-packed options such as “adieu” and “irate” are a preferred choice for many, more than half of the UK-based players simply enjoy the thrill.
The Moist, the Frame and the Elder
Admit it – how many times did you have to Google the meaning of today’s Wordle? If your daily vocabulary includes “caulk” and “ulcer,” consider yourself smart (or lucky)! Nonetheless, it is fascinating to see how Google Trends frequently picks up a spike in searches from frustrated Wordlers.
However, there have been recent claims that Wordle has become harder after the New York Times acquired the game. Using data from the @WordleStats Twitter account, we visualized how players’ average number of attempts has changed throughout February, in order to see how true the claims are.
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You’re welcome to embed our interactive Wordle graphics for free on your news website or blog. Email hello@flourish.studio and we’ll send some embed codes!
