April Fools’ Day 2026—see the best brand pranks from Babbel to Yahoo

AdAge | April 1, 2026

by Tim Nudd

 

April Fools’ Day used to be a huge brand holiday; almost every brand would weigh in with some kind of gag. This took a hit when misinformation began to seem not very funny. Also, most brands opted out during COVID, and many never came back.

Still, the tradition continues—with a few tweaks.

While there are still lots of cursory Photoshop images of fake products (many of them now surely AI generated), the best April Fools’ pranks tie into the brand’s existing strategy or have some positive real-world effect. This year’s Whisker campaign, for us, really hits the sweet spot: a funny insight that connects to its core customer, strong creative execution and a charity angle that’s not only cute but inclusive. More marketers should follow this approach instead of whipping something up in 15 minutes.

There has also been a rising trend toward product deals on April 1, whether or not the brand even has an April Fools’ prank attached to it.

Check out a sampling of this year’s brand pranks below. We may add some more as they come in.

 

Crunch Fitness

The gym chain is introducing “Muscle Mist,” a protein vape designed to deliver 35g of pure whey protein “in just a few satisfying drags.” As the brand jokes: “By transforming a traditionally bad health habit into a functional fitness tool, Crunch is tapping into the evolving ways consumers think about wellness and indulgence.” The gag was dreamed up by agency Familiar Creatures.

 

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