What Campaigns Are You Running This April 1st?

Hey, guess what?

April 1st is right around the corner (yep! 6 days away), and you know what that means? Brands are about to drop some wildest and wackiest campaigns of the year.

Remember the last time an April Fools’ joke from a brand made you stop scrolling and laugh? Maybe it was when Google introduced Google Nose (scratch-and-sniff search results) or McDonald’s launched a burger made entirely of pickles.

For a moment, it all felt real because it was just believable enough.

That’s the magic of April Fools’ marketing.

It’s the one day when people expect surprises, making it the perfect time for brands to grab attention, spark conversations, and even go viral.

But the best campaigns?

They don’t just prank people. They make them feel something.

So, if you are ready to create a campaign that gets people talking, here are five genius April Fools’ marketing ideas to try this year.

1. The Fake Product Launch

Most people love discovering new things, especially when they look groundbreaking or weird. That’s why fake product launches work so well.

When a brand introduces something unexpected, people stop, engage, and share.

But the real magic is how these campaigns blend just enough believability with humor so audiences second-guess if it’s real. The marketing principle that goes behind this is triggering curiosity. And this idea works the best because:

• It triggers curiosity. People want to learn more when they see something that doesn’t fit their expectations.

• It turns your audience into promoters. If the concept is fun or shocking, they will share it with friends.

• It’s free PR. News outlets love covering creative campaigns. That gives your brand extra exposure.

Example: Google Nose (2013)

Google said it had launched a feature that allowed users to search by smell. They made an attractive and simple website and filmed a demo video. The whole thing felt so real that it raised millions of conversations and even led people to try sniffing their screens.

Here it is! It just feels like another Google’s feature launches. I mean it’s so real:

How can you implement it?

1. Choose a product idea that’s just possible enough. A fake teleportation app is too far-fetched, but a self-cooling coffee mug sounds semi-believable.

2. Make it look official. High-quality visuals on a landing page and even a demo video make the joke more immersive.

3. Use audience reactions. Keep the conversation going by engaging with comments, sharing user reactions, or (even) launching a real version of a funny product if demand is high.

Some fake products go so viral that brands turn them into actual products!

Taco Bell once joked about selling Taco Bell-branded home fire logs that smelled like tacos. The response was so much that they made and sold them.

2. The Reverse Sale

Most sales campaigns rely on discounts. But what if you told people your prices were going UP instead? That’s the idea behind a Reverse Sale.

It's a tactic that plays on urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO) to drive last-minute purchases... before April 1st. It works because:

• It triggers loss aversion. People are twice as motivated to avoid losing something than to gain something.

• It creates urgency without sounding pushy. Instead of saying Buy now, you make people feel they need to act before it's too late.

• It builds suspense. When you reveal it was a joke, it adds a feel-good moment. And a real offer keeps customers engaged.

Example: Poo-Pourri’s Price Increase (2021)

On April 1, 2015, BMW New Zealand put an ad in the newspaper.

It said that the first person to visit a certain car shop and ask for "Tom" could trade their old car for a brand-new BMW. Most people thought it was just an April Fools' joke, so they ignored it. But a woman named Tianna Marsh decided to try.

To her surprise, the offer was real, and she drove away in a brand-new BMW! The prank got a lot of attention and showed that BMW knows to have fun. [All details here]

How can you implement it?

1. Announce a price increase a few days before April 1st. Use email and social media to spread the news.

2. Make it sound real. Use phrases like - due to supply chain challenges, we have to make this tough decision.

3. Reveal the joke but turn it into an offer. Tell customers it was a prank on April 1st and surprise them with an exclusive discount.

Take it a step further by running a Final Chance Campaign after revealing the joke.

Some customers may have hesitated to buy before, but after seeing the engagement, they will be more likely to jump in.

3. The Broken Feature Prank

Have you ever opened an app and thought, Wait… what just happened? 

That’s what brands do with broken features, like playful glitches, unexpected pop-ups, or strange UX changes that make users pause and engage. It’s a clever way to create a memorable experience without feeling like a traditional ad.

This works because:

• It disrupts expectations. When something in an app, website, or product behaves oddly, people instinctively stop to figure it out.

• It increases session time. Users stick around longer, trying to fix the issue or understand the joke.

• It encourages social sharing. A funny bug or a weird feature? People screenshot and share it instantly.

Example: Duolingo’s Owl Dating Mode (2022)

Known for its sassy green owl mascot, Duolingo introduced a dating mode where users could match with people based on their language-learning interests.

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They playfully added fake profiles and awkward chat prompts. [All details here]

They even suggested romantic pickup lines in different languages. Users spent extra time exploring the feature and sharing screenshots on social media.

How can you implement this?

1. Choose a broken feature that aligns with your brand. A finance app could show fake millionaire balances, while a fitness app could say, you have burned 10,000 calories by blinking.

2. Make it interactive. Add buttons, pop-ups, or animations that encourage users to engage instead of just watching.

3. Ensure it’s temporary. Set a time limit (e.g., April 1st only) and offer a quick way to fix the feature for those who might be confused.

Include an Easter egg. It's a hidden reward for users who went through all stages of the prank. It could be a discount, exclusive content, or even a real product tease.

4. The We’re Changing Everything Hoax

People love familiarity.

That is why fake rebrands and shocking business shifts get many reactions. Announcing a complete company makeover, especially one that makes no sense, sparks curiosity, conversation, and media attention. Doing this works because:

• It triggers emotional reactions. People get attached to logos, taglines, and brand identities. When you change them (even as a joke), they care.

• It taps into nostalgia. Fans get involved if you bring back an old-school look or pretend to ditch a modern feature.

• It works across channels. You can tease the rebrand on your website, emails, and social media, creating a multi-platform experience.

Example: LEGO’s Brick-to-Digital Shift (2023)

LEGO jokingly said it was going fully digital and would no longer produce physical bricks. Instead, they showed a new touchscreen-only LEGO experience.

Fans reacted immediately, sharing concerns, jokes, and nostalgia for real LEGO sets.

The best part is that LEGO followed up with a real-life product drop, featuring classic retro sets. That turned the prank into a strategic marketing win. [All details here]

How can you implement this?

1. Pick an extreme but believable change. A fast-food brand could say they are going 100% liquid (selling only smoothies and soups). A streaming service could say they are switching back to DVDs.

2. Design official-looking assets. Update social media headers, design fake product images, and also tweak your website for maximum effect.

3. End with a fun reveal. Follow up with a special deal, limited-edition product, or behind-the-scenes look at the campaign creation.

If your prank gets strong engagement, consider extending it into a limited-time product or campaign.

5. The Ridiculous Job Posting Stunt

April Fools’ is a great time to flip expectations, especially with fake job listings that sound absurd yet oddly desirable. These pranks don’t just generate laughs but they also strengthen company culture, making brands more relatable and engaging.

It works because:

• It makes people wish the job were real. A funny but desirable job, like Netflix Binge-Watcher or Chief Pizza Tester, gets people talking.

• It’s highly shareable. Job postings naturally get traction on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other career-focused spaces.

• It subtly promotes hiring. If your brand is actually hiring, a fake job prank can drive traffic to real open roles.

Example: McDonald’s French Fry Sommelier (2021)

McDonald’s Australia listed a French Fry Sommelier position, saying they needed an expert to evaluate fry crispiness, saltiness, and temperature.

It had a real job application link and a mock interview process and thousands of people actually applied. It drove attention to their hiring efforts and helped them recruit for real roles. [All detailes here]

How can you implement this?

1. Choose a dream job that fits your brand. A gaming company could list a Professional Video Game Tester, while a beverage brand could post a Chief Cocktail Taster.

2. Write a semi-serious job description. Use the real job posting language but exaggerate the perks like unlimited snacks and a nap room included!

3. Tie it back to your actual hiring. If you are looking for talent, direct traffic to your real careers page after the prank ends.

Add a first-round interview where applicants answer a fun multiple-choice quiz. This boosts engagement and gives you user-generated content to share afterward.

Now It’s Your Turn

April Fools’ Day isn’t just about jokes. It’s a chance to grab attention and make your brand unforgettable. The best campaigns don’t just trick people. They create a moment that gets shared, talked about, and remembered long after April 1st.

So, here’s your game plan:

• Pick an idea that fits your brand. Whether it’s a fake product or a shocking rebrand, make sure it feels authentic.

• Plan your execution. Use email, social media, and your website to make the joke feel real. But don’t overcomplicate it.

• Think beyond the prank. Can you tie it back to an actual offer, a new product launch, or a long-term marketing play? That’s where the real impact happens.

April 1st comes once a year, but a smart campaign can keep people talking for months. So, which idea are you running this year?