April Fool’s Done Right: The 5-Part Art of Playful Brand Humor

Written by: Lauren McKinney

April Fool’s Day is a golden opportunity for brands to flex their funny bone, surprise audiences, and create viral moments. And the fun isn’t limited to once every April–a brand that brings the laughs can win hearts and minds throughout the year.

Let’s be real—some brands struggle to knock it out of the park with prank marketing (remember Google’s “Mic Drop” disaster? Yikes.), while others successfully turn their jokes into pure marketing gold (like Taco Bell “buying” the Liberty Bell).

So, how do you get the giggles without the groans? Let’s break down the dos and don’ts of humor-forward marketing magic—because when done right, a little fun can go a long way in boosting engagement, brand love, and even sales.

1. Know Your Audience—Will They Laugh or Leave?

The first rule of comedy (and marketing)? Know your audience. Not every brand can get away with a snarky prank or an over-the-top joke. Before rolling out your campaign, ask yourself:

• Does this align with our brand’s personality?
• Will our audience find this funny—or frustrating?
• Are we staying lighthearted and inclusive?

According to Harvard Business Review, humor can boost brand likability and recall—but only if it feels authentic to your audience. If your brand is all about professionalism, a joke about firing your CEO might not land well. (Looking at you, Volkswagen’s fake “Voltswagen” stunt!)

2. Keep It Light—Nobody Likes a Mean Prank

The best brand jokes leave audiences smiling, not steaming. Even April Fool’s isn’t the time for pranks that annoy, inconvenience, or mislead customers too much. 

A winning example: In 2018, LEGO introduced a “Brick Sorting Vacuum” that had every parent of a LEGO-loving kid desperately hoping it was real. Of course, it was fake, but also funny, clever, and totally on-brand.

A fail to remember: In 2019, Google rolled out that aforementioned “Mic Drop” button on Gmail allowing users to end an email thread with an animated Minion GIF—except people accidentally hit it on important emails. The backlash was so bad, Google had to remove it within hours.

Pro tip: If your joke could cause confusion, frustration, or make people feel tricked, rethink it.

3. Play with Products: Fake Launches = Real Laughs

Some of the best prank marketing comes in the form of fake product launches—especially when they’re just believable enough to make people wish they were real.

• Burger King’s “Left-Handed Whopper” (1998) – The fast-food giant announced a Whopper designed specifically for lefties, with ingredients rotated 180 degrees. Customers actually requested it!
• Tinder’s “Height Verification” (2019) – The dating app joked about rolling out a feature that would confirm users’ actual height. It sparked hilarious debates (and a lot of nervous short kings).
• McDonald’s “Milkshake Sauce Pots” (2021) – The idea of dipping fries in milkshakes wasn’t so far-fetched—which is why it went viral.

Want to go this route? Keep it light, brand-relevant, and fun enough that even when customers realize it’s fake, they’ll still be entertained.

4. Use Social Media to Go Viral

April Fool’s is prime time for social media engagement–but a great joke is timeless. A well-executed gag can rack up likes, shares, and media coverage—but only if it’s snappy, visual, and shareable. Recently, Duolingo’s Owl mascot was announced as dead – and then resurrected just a week or so ago. This isn’t the first sign of shenanigans from the brand, and their reputation as the internet’s class clown has served them well in terms of brand awareness–and app users. 

Want your brand’s joke to go viral? Make it visually engaging, easily shareable, and meme-worthy. GIFs, funny polls, and interactive elements increase engagement and make your prank more fun for followers.

5. Tie It Back to Your Brand—Because Marketing Still Matters

A good humor-focused campaign isn’t just funny—it’s strategic. The best pranks reinforce your brand’s personality, products, or values while getting people talking. If you can tie your joke back to what you actually offer, it boosts brand awareness while making people laugh—a win-win!

Final Thoughts: Fun Done Right

When done well, pro-level prank marketing can be hilarious, engaging, and even boost sales. The key? Keep it light, brand-relevant, and audience-friendly—and never make customers feel like the joke’s on them. 

Want to add more humor to your marketing—without waiting for April Fool’s 2026? Madison+Main is all about bold branding, creative campaigns, and messaging that sticks. Let’s craft a strategy that makes your audience laugh, engage, and most importantly—remember you.

📞 Call us at (877) 623-6246 or reach out via our contact form—no pranks, we promise!