Wordle, originally created by engineer Josh Wardle for his partner, has grown into an international phenomenon, inspiring numerous fan-made variations like Squabble, Heardle, Dordle, and Quordle. The game was later acquired by The New York Times, and its popularity extends to platforms like TikTok, where creators livestream their gameplay. For Wordle puzzle #1706 on February 19, 2026, hints provided included that the word is "easy to solve if you're uplifting" and subtly means "To lift." This puzzle was also noted to have no recurring letters and started with the letter H. For Wordle puzzle #1709 on February 22, 2026, clues indicated that the word contained three vowels, with two of them being the same, and was associated with fruit. The solution for this puzzle was GUAVA. General advice for players includes selecting strategic starting words with at least two different vowels and common consonants like S, T, R, or N. The New York Times' WordleBot suggests 'CRANE' as a top starting word, with others like 'ADIEU,' 'STARE,' and 'ROAST' also recommended. While a comprehensive archive of past Wordle puzzles was initially available, it was later taken down at the request of The New York Times, which now offers its own archive exclusively to NYT Games subscribers. Despite perceptions, Wordle's difficulty has not increased since its inception, though a 'Hard Mode' is available for those seeking a greater challenge.