Mashable

Google is facing a European Union investigation into its use of publishers' online content for AI-generated search summaries like AI Overviews and AI Mode, with anticompetitive practices the primary suspicion.

Announced on Tuesday, the EU's main executive body, the European Commission, opened a formal antitrust probe into Google's practice of using online publishers' material for AI purposes — and that includes the company's use of content uploaded to YouTube.

According to the EU, the investigation will examine "whether Google is distorting competition by imposing unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, or by granting itself privileged access to such content, thereby placing developers of rival AI models at a disadvantage."

SEE ALSO: EU fines Elon Musk's X $140 million for lack of transparency

Specifically, the EU will dig into Google's AI-powered, generative search summary tools AI Overviews and AI Mode, and whether the company used web publisher content for these tools "without appropriate compensation to publishers and without offering them the possibility to refuse such use of their content."

Since Google launched AI Overviews in May 2024, researchers have found websites including news and media outlets have seen a devastating impact on site traffic. In July 2025, Google also launched AI Mode, a more conversational AI-generated search results aggregator. A Pew Research Center study from July 2025 found users are less likely to click on links when an AI summary appears in the results, with users more likely to end their browsing session.

This impact on news sites has been colossal. As Cecily Mauran reports for Mashable, "Organic search traffic from major news sites including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post has declined according to SimilarWeb data. And smaller, independent sites say the rollout of AI Overviews has forced them to shut down their sites or entirely reinvent their distribution model as a result of declining traffic, according to a Bloomberg report. Other reports from SEO analysts found the presence of AI Overviews reduced clicks to sites, compared to traditional search results."

In the UK, MailOnline and Metro owner DMG Media told the Competition and Markets Authority (per the BBC), that AI Overviews had caused an 89 percent drop in click-through rates.

Featured Video For You Humans could soon live underwater, in these deep sea habitats

So, what's next? The EU has informed Google of the investigation and says there is "no legal deadline" for the end of the case, noting that the timeline may be impacted by "the complexity of the case, the extent to which the companies concerned cooperate with the Commission and the parties' exercise of the rights of defence."

It's just the latest Big Tech case brought forth by the EU, with Apple and Meta facing hundreds of millions in fines and a landmark €120 million fine slapped on Elon Musk's X, all for breaching its Digital Services Act (DSA). But it's also the latest case against a major tech company using material for AI training and aggregation purposes, with ChatGPT creator OpenAI facing multiple lawsuits for AI training and copyright infringement, including from publishers. Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, and was quick to compare his own hosting abilities with that of his least favorite host, Jimmy Kimmel — who he described as "terrible" and "horrible."

"That is very hurtful," Kimmel says in the clip. "I thought we were friends. I don't know what's going on. He is really fixated. I'm starting to think he might have a crush on me."

Kimmel goes on to play a clip of Trump saying, "If I can't beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don't think I should be president."

"Agreed," Kimmel responds. "I'm with you. I don't think I've ever agreed with anything more than that."

SAVE OVER $100: As of Dec. 9, the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 128GB, WiFi) is on sale at Amazon for $449.99 after clipping the coupon on the store page. Normally it's listed for $599, so this saves you $149.01.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 chip $449.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $149.01   Get Deal

If you've been hoping to score some deals on Apple devices before the holidays, Amazon still has some discounts to look through. In particular, if an iPad is on your shopping list, the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 128GB, WiFi) has dropped to $449.99 with the help of a coupon on the Amazon store page.

This model of iPad Air is usually listed for $599, so this discount price - which will appear at checkout after ticking the coupon price box on the store page - saves you $149.01 overall. It's also only $0.99 away from its lowest-ever price, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, making now a great time to grab it. This discount applies to all available colors at the time of writing as well, so you can pick out your favorite.

SEE ALSO: From AirPods to espresso machines, everything the Mashable shopping team bought during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025

We're big fans of this iPad Air, with it even landing a spot on our list of the best iPads as the "best pick for most people." Mashable's Samantha Mangino notes in this roundup that, thanks to the M3 chip, "it has the same processing power as a MacBook, scoring 11,464 on our Geekbench 6 test. AKA, it packs a lot of power into a more affordable package."

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Alongside its boost in performance, this iPad also features a sleek 11-inch Liquid Retina display that makes whatever you're watching, reading, or scrolling through look crisply detailed and colorful. This particular model comes with 128GB of storage as well, so there's plenty of space to fill with your favorite apps.

Don't miss out on this great deal on the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 128GB, WiFi) at Amazon. It's not the only option on sale right now, either. If you want to splash out on a fancier model, you can also save on the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router is on sale for $169 with free shipping (order by Dec. 15 for holiday delivery).

Opens in a new window Credit: Deeper Connect Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router $169
$219 Save $50   Get Deal

If you’re shopping for someone who travels often — whether for work, remote gigs, or pure wanderlust — this is the kind of gift that instantly makes their life easier.

The Deeper Connect Air is a portable, decentralized VPN router that brings fast, secure, subscription-free browsing wherever they land. And right now, it’s available for just $169 (down from $219) with free shipping. Order by Dec. 15 if you want it wrapped and ready in time for Christmas.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

What makes this device so useful is how much digital stress it removes. Airport Wi-Fi acting sketchy? Hotel network wide open? Café hotspot overloaded? The Deeper Connect Air quietly handles all of that.

It delivers military-grade encryption, 300Mbps speeds, and no monthly VPN fees, ever. Just plug it in, and you’re protected — no configuration, extra apps, or complicated setup.

It’s also ideal for entertainment on the road. The device lets you bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms, keeps ads from slowing things down, and handles up to five devices at once. For families, it includes one-click parental controls; for digital nomads, it supports 80+ Web3 features and even offers blockchain-based node access.

Because it uses decentralized VPN (DPN) technology, there’s no single server tracking your usage. You’re connecting through 80,000+ global nodes, which means stable access to virtually any region — and far less risk than public networks.

For frequent travelers, remote workers, students abroad, and anyone who would rather not use unsecured WiFi, this pocket-sized router is both practical and surprisingly powerful.

With no ongoing fees, it’s a smart tech gift that pays off every time they open their laptop on the go.

Get the Deeper Connect Air Decentralized VPN Router while it’s just $169 (reg. $219) with free shipping.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Shopping for gifts for gamers is a double-edged Master Sword. On the one hand, there are so many cool games, consoles, and accessories to choose from. But that's also the tricky part: There is so much gaming-related merchandise to choose from, to the point where you might feel under-leveled for the "simple" task of picking that just-right gift — especially if they're a long-time player who already has all of the obvious gaming gear. That's where we come in.

To help you on your side quest to find a respectable present for someone who loves video games, we've compiled a massive list of more than 50 gamer gift ideas for 2025 — including a bunch of games we've played and products we've tested ourselves. If you're gifting on a budget, you'll do well with a few months' worth of their favorite video game subscription service or a copy of one of the best video games of 2025 (recommended by Mashable's own Alex Perry). Leveling up over the $100 mark expands your options to high-end peripherals, while $200 and above unlocks current-gen consoles, or if you're really nice, a whole new PC.

Of course, mega fans of specific franchises can never get too much displayable merch. We've peppered in some collectibles, stocking stuffers, and Christmas gifts that they may not have yet, like Nintendo-themed LEGOs or a Diablo-themed Tarot deck.

SAVE $19.50: Pokémon TCG's Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is currently $87.49 on TCGPlayer right now, that's $19.50 less than Amazon's $106.99. But if you manage to qualify for Amazon's Visa card, you'll get an instant $60 gift card to knock down the ETB price to $46.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box $106.99 at Amazon
Possible $60 Gift Card if you qualify on Amazon. TCGPlayer is cheapest otherwise. Get Deal

Elite Trainer Boxes are some of the most popular sealed Pokémon TCG products on store shelves right now, with Phantasmal Flames being no exception. It's got Mega Charizard X slapped all over it, including the 65 included deck sleeves, themed dice and tournament legal coin. There's every chance to pull one of four Mega Charizard X ex cards, including the Secret Illustration Rare, Gold Hyper Rare, Hyper Rare and regular ex Ultra Rare. Although the odds are harsh, there's nine booster packs to help mate the magic anyway.

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG's Mega Evolution Enhanced Booster Box is over $20 cheaper on TCGPlayer, but Amazon offers a gift card

So, there's two ways to grab the Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box right now. Well, three if you happen to hate money. First up, if buying it for the full fat price on Amazon for $106.99, which you really shouldn't do. Instead, you can try and qualify for an Amazon Visa card to score a free and instant $60 gift card, with zero need to use the Visa card itself to knock down the ETB to a tidy $46.99.

If you'd sooner not tempt fate with having a credit card within arms reach, well done for admitting as much. TCGPlayer has the best vanilla price right now at $87.49 including delivery, which is a cool $19.50 off Amazons price point. That one is a no-brainer, right?

The best chase cards you can pull from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you want to save even more money over ripping endless boosters to get your chase card this holiday, the chances are it's going to work out cheaper in the long run just buying it. The good news is the majority of Pokémon TCG has found a new floor value-wise, with prices across the board tanking right now. TCGPlayer is owned by eBay and is armed with vetted and rated sellers for peace of mind buying these gems. Here's the top five chase cards available right now in Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames packs, including up-to-date market values and links to catch one for yourself:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $599.99
   Market price: $600.94
   Most recent sale: $659.99

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $411.85
   Market price: $402.30
   Most recent sale: $429

3. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $371.99
   Market price: $396.09
   Most recent sale: $350

4. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $285
   Market price: $310.28
   Most recent sale: $305

5. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $209.90
   Market price: $208.60
   Most recent sale: $204.98

In May, at its annual Google I/O conference, Google announced a new product called the "Android XR glasses," without saying much about the specs or giving us a launch date.

Now, Google is ready to share more. In a blog post, the company clarified that it's actually working on two types of smart glasses, both developed in partnership with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker.

SEE ALSO: Google's Year in Search 2025: The most interesting part is how we searched

The first product is what Google calls "AI glasses," which do not have a display. Instead, they use a built-in speaker, microphones, and camera, to let you interact with Google's AI assistant Gemini and take photos. If you're thinking this is similar to Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, you are correct. The glasses are coming "next year," Google said.

Featured Video For You Are foldable phones worth buying in 2025? As a tech editor, I say heck yes

The other product is a tad more interesting. Google calls them simply "display AI glasses," and these are the ones that the company spoke about in May. They also have an in-lens display which can privately show you stuff like turn-by-turn navigation, translation captions, and more.

The display isn't visible to anyone but the wearer. Credit: Google

The company also shared a couple of short videos, showing the display AI glasses in action. However, Google didn't share a launch date for the glasses with the built-in display.

Both pairs of glasses will run on Google's Android XR, an operating system for what Google calls "extended reality devices," which includes headsets and smart glasses. The first Android XR headset is the Samsung Galaxy XR, which launched in October 2025.

Australia's social media ban for children under 16 will come into effect this Wednesday, Dec. 10. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube have already begun disabling users' accounts to comply with the new law.

Approved by Australia's Senate earlier this year, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act requires social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts. A platform will be subject to this requirement if its primary purpose is to enable online social interaction between multiple users, it allows them to interact with some or all other users, and it lets them post content.

"Delaying children’s access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll," said Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant in a statement last month. 

"But I’ve also said consistently that age restricting social media is one important tool in our holistic approach to online safety. Ultimately, all online platforms should be building less harmful, age-appropriate experiences through safety by design."  

Failure to comply with Australia's new law could see social media platforms slapped with fines of up to $AU49.5 million ($US33 million). Fortunately, the legislation is specifically targeted at tech companies, and neither children nor their caregivers will be penalised if they circumvent a platform's restrictions to access social media anyway. Parents are reportedly already helping children evade the ban by using their own credentials, while a poll found almost a third would be willing to assist their child in getting around the restrictions on YouTube.

Nevertheless, Australia's new law means social media platforms must work to prohibit account holders under 16. Here's how they're responding.

Facebook, Instagram, and Threads Credit: Meta

Last Thursday, Meta began removing access to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts belonging to Australians under 16, as well as blocking them from creating new ones. They will still be able to use Messenger, which doesn't fall under Australia's social media ban, but without a connected Facebook account. 

Meta stated that impacted users will be given the option to download their content before the ban comes into effect. They will also be prompted to update their contact information, enabling Meta to reach out and reinstate their accounts once they turn 16. If they are mistakenly caught up in the ban, users can verify their age through third-party provider Yoti, or by providing their government ID or a video selfie.

Though Meta is working to comply with the ban, aiming to remove all impacted users from its services by Dec. 10, the tech giant has made clear that it doesn't agree with it. Meta has instead argued for legislation requiring app stores obtain parents' approval before allowing children under 16 to download apps. This solution would have parents establish a child's age and relevant restrictions while setting up their phone, rather than require them to complete age verification multiple times for different apps.

"Teens are resourceful, and may attempt to circumvent age assurance measures to access restricted services," Meta wrote in a November blog post. "Realistically, we can only do so much to determine age without requiring everyone to provide a government ID — which isn’t safe, poses significant privacy risks, and could lead to identity theft."

TikTok Credit: Mashable composite: TikTok

TikTok also addressed the ban last week, stating that it will deactivate the accounts of Australian users between the age of 13 and 15. (The video sharing app already does not allow users under 13.) Further, any content they have published will no longer be visible to other users.

Impacted users will be given the option to download their information, and can either confirm that they are 16 or older, let their account be deactivated, or delete it entirely. If they choose not to delete their account, they can sign up for a reminder that it is available to them again once they turn 16. 

TikTok states that it uses multiple methods to verify users' ages, including credit card authorisation, providing government ID documents, and employing facial age estimation services from Yoti.

"Every day, we suspend thousands of accounts globally because we don't think our age requirements have been met," wrote TikTok. "We also encourage parents to have conversations with their teens to make sure they have been truthful about their age. If an Australian parent believes their teen may have provided an incorrect date of birth, they can report this in-app and online. We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law."

Snapchat

Snapchat has argued against its classification as an age-restricted social media service, claiming that 75 percent of time Australians spend on the app is messaging and calling. Nevertheless, the Australian government maintains that Snapchat falls under the ban's purview, forcing the video sharing app to comply.

From Dec. 10, Snapchat will lock accounts belonging to Australians under 16. Notably, this is distinct from deactivating them. Locked accounts will remain locked for three years, unless the user verifies that they have turned 16 and has it reinstated. Users can verify their age via third-party provider k-ID, either by providing their government ID or by submitting to facial age estimation. Alternatively, users can complete age verification by connecting their Australian bank account.

Once the three-year lock expires, impacted users' Snapchat accounts will be deactivated. Deactivation gives users 30 days to download their data, which is then permanently deleted after 60 days. Fortunately, Snapchat users can still download their data while their account is locked, giving them three years to do so. Snapchat has also reminded users to cancel any subscriptions they may have to Snapchat+ or Memories+ via the App Store or Play Store. 

Unfortunately, Australian teens' Snapchat Streaks won't be preserved while their accounts are locked.

"[D]isconnecting teens from their friends and family doesn’t make them safer — it may push them to less safe, less private messaging apps," said Snap. "We continue to advocate for more privacy-conscious solutions, such as mandating age verification at the device, operating system, or app store level."

YouTube Credit: Google

YouTube was poised to get an exemption from the ban earlier this year, with owner Google arguing that it is "a video sharing platform, not a social media service, that offers benefit and value to younger Australians." This exemption was subsequently reversed in July, forcing YouTube to ban Australians under 16.

As a result, YouTube will automatically sign out all Australian users under 16 on Dec. 10, including supervised pre-teen and teen accounts. These users' YouTube channels will become inaccessible from this date, preventing them from uploading, commenting on, or monetising videos. Their channels will also no longer be visible to others. YouTube Kids will not be impacted by the ban.

Users can download their YouTube and Youtube Music data via Google Takeout, as well as permanently delete their channel if they so choose. If they don't delete it, Google will hold on to their data until they turn 16 and can re-enable their account, reinstating their uploads and comments.

Significantly, YouTube does allow users to view content without logging in. As such, the ban primarily impacts the ability for YouTube users to upload content, as well as access features such as likes, subscriptions, private playlists, and memberships.

"As the Social Media Minimum Age Act requires kids to use YouTube without an account, it removes the very parental controls and safety filters built to protect them — it will not make kids safer on our platform," said Google. "These are the unfortunate consequences of a rushed legislative process that failed to allow for adequate consultation and consideration of the real complexities of online safety regulation."

Twitch

Like YouTube, Twitch initially seemed as though it would get an exemption from Australia's social media ban. This changed late last month, when the Australian government added it to its banned social media list.

Twitch has not yet announced what steps it will be taking to specifically comply with Australia's new laws. However, the platform already does not allow users under the age of 13, and has minimum age requirements which vary by region. In addition to requesting users' birth dates when they create an account, Twitch enforces these age limits via on-device facial age estimation conducted by k-ID. 

As such, it seems likely that Twitch may request Australian users use such methods to verify their age when logging in, as well as when they sign up for a new account. Twitch streams are still available to watch without logging in, however viewers won't be able to access features such as chatting and subscribing.

Reddit

Though Reddit is reportedly gearing up to challenge Australia's social media ban in court, it will likely be a while before any potential action bears fruit. In the meantime, u/LastBlueJay from Reddit's Public Policy team has outlined how it is complying with Australia's ban in a post to subreddit r/RedditSafety. 

All Australians with Reddit accounts will be required to verify their age, both by supplying their birth date as well as via a third-party age verification service. Reddit states that this may involve supplying their government ID or taking a selfie. Accounts determined to belong to Australians under 16 will be suspended, though will have an opportunity to appeal and reattempt verification. (Reddit has always banned accounts for users under 13).

Interestingly, Reddit is also going one step further by implementing restrictions on users under 18 across the globe. These users will be served a version of Reddit with "more protective safety measures," including stricter chat settings, no access to mature content, and no ad personalisation.

While Reddit is complying with the ban, u/LastBlueJay stated that the platform "disagree[s] about the scope, effectiveness, and privacy implications of this law." Like both YouTube and Twitch, Reddit is still available for people to browse without being logged in, though users are not able to post, comment, or message others.

"We believe strongly in the open internet and the continued accessibility of quality knowledge, information, resources, and community building for everyone, including young people," they wrote in their post on Tuesday. "This is why Reddit has always been, and continues to be, available for anyone to read even if they don’t have an account. By limiting account eligibility and putting identity tests on internet usage, this law undermines everyone’s right to both free expression and privacy, as well as account-specific protections."

X

While the Australia-specific page of X's Help Centre doesn't explicitly mention the Dec. 10 ban, it does outline the microblogging platform's policy regarding young Australians.

Regardless of location, X requires users to be at least 13 years old to have an account. Restrictions are placed on accounts for users aged between 13 and 18 by default, including making their posts only visible to their followers, and requiring them to approve new followers. They can also only receive direct messages from accounts they follow.

To determine users' ages, X relies upon information such as their self-reported age, how long ago their account was created, and whether they have previously verified their identity via a third party. X uses both facial age estimation and government ID verification.

X doesn't appear to have issued any further guidance specifically addressing Australia's social media ban at time of writing. As such, it is currently unclear how it will respond to the ban, as its current measures do not appear to comply with its requirements.

"The X Rules enable minors to participate in the public conversation freely and safely, and minors should rely on the X Rules (and report to X) in order to protect themselves," reads X's Help Center page.

Kick

Australian livestreaming platform Kick has asked Australian users to verify their age via k-ID by the Dec. 10 deadline, stating that this is a mandatory requirement to continue using their service. Any accounts it determines are owned by those under 16 will be deactivated, though Kick states that users will have "clear review pathways" if they wish to appeal the decision.

"We believe in creating a safer online environment, and this change is driven by our duty of care to our users," said Kick, addressing the social media ban in a post on their website last month. "By implementing age assurance, we fulfill our legal obligations under the Online Safety Act 2021 to reduce the risk of harm to young Australians. This proactive step helps enhance the safety and well-being of our younger community members by limiting their exposure to specific online risks, such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and unwanted contact."

Which social media platforms are still available to Australians under 16?

Though many of the largest social media platforms will soon be off-limits to Australians under 16, not all of them are being banned. 

As previously mentioned, Meta's Messenger app will still be available, allowing kids to continue chatting to people they know. Meta's other instant messaging app WhatsApp is also exempt, as is gaming-focused voice chat app Discord.

Video game Roblox is explicitly permitted, as is the LEGO Play app and video game storefront Steam. Other platforms that won't be age-restricted are GitHub, Google Classroom, Pinterest, and YouTube Kids.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025:

AcrossApt profession for someone named Rosemary or Ginger

• The answer is Chef.

Get to go, as leftovers

• The answer is Box up.

Word that can precede Bowl or Glue

• The answer is Super.

Intense anger

• The answer is Rage.

"Cut that out!"

• The answer is Stop.

DownStephen Colbert's network

• The answer is CBS

Noted group of 24

• The answer is Hours.

One living abroad, informally

• The answer is Expat.

Spanish for "fire"

• The answer is Fuego.

Do some kitchen work

• The answer is Prep.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A prong.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SPIKE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Rested.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SLEPT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Cinder.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

EMBER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Graceful

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 9 Hurdle Word 4 answer

AGILE

Final Hurdle hint

A fool.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

DUMMY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.