Use case

404 Page Install

Turn dead links into engagement — add a puzzle to your error page on any stack.

A 404 page is one of the best places for a puzzle widget. The reader is already stuck — giving them something to do on your domain beats sending them to a third-party games portal or a blank error screen.

Why put a puzzle on your 404?

Stays on your domain — no iframe, no off-site redirect
Low effort — one script tag, no signup or API keys
Familiar format — Sudoku needs no explanation; Akari is a nice differentiator
Measurable — installs and plays show up on your private stats page

The embed code

Generate your snippet on the homepage with your real domain in the site= parameter. For most 404 pages, Sudoku is the safe default:

<p>Page not found. While you’re here, try today’s puzzle:</p>
<script src="https://newsroompuzzles.com/embed.js?site=yourpaper.com&game=sudoku"></script>
<p><a href="/">Return to the homepage</a></p>

Keep a clear link back to your homepage above or below the widget so readers can recover easily.

Plain HTML

If your 404 page is a static 404.html file, paste the script tag directly in the body:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title>Page not found</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>404 — Page not found</h1>
    <p>While you’re here, try today’s puzzle:</p>
    <script src="https://newsroompuzzles.com/embed.js?site=yourpaper.com&game=sudoku"></script>
    <p><a href="/">Go to the homepage</a></p>
</body>
</html>

Laravel / Blade

Many publisher sites run on Laravel. Add the script to your error view — typically resources/views/errors/404.blade.php:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title>Page not found</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>404</h1>
    <p>We couldn’t find that page.</p>
    <a href="{{ url('/') }}">Back to home</a>

    <script src="https://newsroompuzzles.com/embed.js?site=yourpaper.com&game=sudoku"></script>
</body>
</html>

For a reusable partial, create resources/views/partials/puzzle-embed.blade.php with just the script tag, then @include('partials.puzzle-embed') from both 404.blade.php and 500.blade.php if you want puzzles on server errors too.

WordPress

Edit your theme’s 404.php template or use a Custom HTML block on a dedicated error page. See the WordPress install guide for step-by-step instructions and child-theme notes.

Copy that works

Short, friendly framing tends to perform best on error pages:

“While you’re here, try today’s puzzle.”
“This page moved or never existed — but the puzzle is real.”
“Lost? Stay a minute and play Sudoku.”

Avoid making the puzzle feel like a punishment. One line of context, then the widget, then a home link.

Sudoku or Akari?

Game	Best for
`game=sudoku`	404 pages — universally understood, zero learning curve
`game=akari`	Games sections or repeat visitors who want something different

Test it

Visit a URL that does not exist on your site (e.g. /this-page-does-not-exist).
Confirm the puzzle loads and is playable.
Check that your homepage link works.
Enter your domain on the homepage install section — if the widget has loaded at least once, your stats URL will appear.

New to the embed? Start with Getting Started. On WordPress? See the WordPress guide.