# Connections

> NYT's daily grouping puzzle reached No. 1 on Google's global trending games list.

- Owner: The New York Times Games
- Kind: Game
- Sector: Gaming
- Seed date: 2023-06-12
- Peak date: Week of Jun 12, 2024
- Date basis: Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 60 (Viral), v1.2
- Mechanics: Shareable output, Daily ritual, Controversy, Platform jump, Press loop

## Summary

Connections opened in public beta, then drew Only Connect comparisons on X. Solvers shared grids, made custom puzzles and filmed TikTok reactions. The Times ranked it second in plays, and Google ranked it first among global trending games in 2024.

## Timeline

- 2023-06-12 — The New York Times Games (Open web) — The Times opened the public Connections beta, edited by Wyna Liu.
- 2023-06-13 — Victoria Coren Mitchell (X) — The Only Connect host replied that the new puzzle resembled her TV show.
- 2023-06-14 — Scott Bryan (X) — Bryan quote-posted the announcement and wrote that Only Connect had declared war on the NYT.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/nyt-connections

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Connections.” Case HIS-00628. Spread Score v1.2: 60/100. Updated 2026-10-14. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-00628