April Fools’ Day is built on deception, but why do people still fall for it? From its unclear historical origins to modern-day misinformation, the tradition continues to work even in a world where trust is declining. Understanding why April Fools’ pranks succeed reveals how people process information, trust sources, and make quick judgments online.
What is April Fools’ Day?
April Fools’ Day, celebrated on April 1st, is a tradition where people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other, often relying on believable but false information to trick others.
The history of April Fools’ Day: Where did it come from?
April Fools’ Day is widely celebrated, but its origins are not entirely clear. One widely cited explanation links it to 16th-century France, when the country adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1582 and moved New Year’s Day from late March to January 1st. Those who continued celebrating in April became the subject of jokes and were labelled “April fools” (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Other explanations suggest that similar traditions existed even earlier. The same Britannica source notes that some historians connect the idea to seasonal festivals such as the Roman Hilaria, where disguise and playful behavior were part of the celebration, although there is no clear evidence directly linking these traditions to April Fools’ Day.
Rather than a single origin, the tradition appears to have developed over time, shaped by different customs built around the same idea: a temporary break from everyday rules, where being wrong is part of the experience.
The BBC spaghetti tree hoax: one of the most famous April Fools’ pranks
One of the most famous April Fools’ pranks shows how easily that moment of belief can happen. In 1957, the BBC television programme Panorama broadcast a report about a Swiss family harvesting spaghetti from trees, leading many viewers to believe it was genuine (Wikipedia).
According to the same source, hundreds of viewers contacted the broadcaster afterwards asking how they could grow their own spaghetti trees.
The story worked not because it was convincing in detail, but because it appeared in a format people trusted. It looked like a normal piece of information, and that was enough.
Trust in the digital age: why misinformation still spreads
Today, the context in which people receive information is very different. According to Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Monitor, only 22% of people globally say they trust social media companies, making them one of the least trusted sectors measured.
At the same time, Ipsos research shows that 56% of internet users still use social media as a source of news, even though 68% say misinformation is common on those platforms.
This creates a new reality where people rely on sources they do not fully trust, constantly balancing familiarity with doubt.
Why people still fall for April Fools’ jokes
Even in this environment, April Fools’ Day continues to work. Ipsos data highlights how widespread concern about misinformation has become, with 87% of people saying they are concerned about its impact, including 47% who say they are very concerned.
This means people are more cautious than before, but not necessarily more analytical at every moment. Instead of carefully verifying everything, they rely on quick signals such as format, tone, and context.
When something feels familiar, it can still be accepted, even if only briefly.
How long does belief last in a low-trust world?
What has changed is not whether people believe, but how long that belief lasts. Ipsos research shows that trust depends heavily on who delivers the message, with only 15% of people saying they trust social media influencers, compared to much higher trust in established professions.
As a result, people adjust their level of belief more quickly than before. A message might feel real at first glance, but it is just as quickly questioned and reassessed.
So, in a world where trust is low across many sources, how do people decide what to believe? Increasingly, they turn to information that feels grounded in reality: transparent, evidence-based, and rooted in real people’s experiences. Studies like those conducted by Ipsos, based on the opinions, behaviours, and beliefs of people around the world, offer one way to navigate this uncertainty.
Even so, the moment of being fooled still exists, it is simply shorter, more fragile, and more quickly corrected.
April Fools’ Day today: more than just a joke
April Fools’ Day has always been about a small disruption in what people expect to be true. From a calendar misunderstanding in 16th-century France to a television report about spaghetti trees, the principle has remained the same. Something looks real, just long enough to be believed.
What has changed is everything around it. People see more information, question it more often, and trust it differently depending on where it comes from. And yet, for a second, something still feels real. That second is what keeps April Fools’ Day alive.
At Ipsos, understanding how people think, feel, and decide in this complex information environment is at the heart of what we do.
👉 Want to explore more insights about trust, misinformation, and how people navigate today’s world? Keep an eye on our blog as we continue to share the latest perspectives and findings.
Sources:
April Fools’ Day (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Hilaria festival (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Spaghetti-tree hoax (Wikipedia)
Why did the BBC report on spaghetti harvests? (Britannica)
Ipsos. Elections & social media: the battle against disinformation and trust issues
