These are the ten best April Fool's jokes from Google

On April 1st, Google traditionally doesn't work, but plays. Since 2006, the company has regularly presented imaginative jokes that were often just as cleverly implemented as real products. Some gags went nowhere, others inspired later blockbusters. We present the ten most original April Fool's jokes from almost two decades of Google history.

Google Maps became a virtual Safari Zone in 2014. Users could search for hidden Pokémon on the world map. The fun turned out to be not just an April Fool's joke, but a dress rehearsal for the game Pokémon Go, which dominated the summer two years later. Never has an April Fool's joke been more influential.

Google Maps presented a pirate-style world map with a vintage look. Users could discover secret clues, decipher coordinates and locate fictitious treasures. The idea was impressively implemented both technically and creatively and became a fan favorite.

A classic arcade game surprisingly found its way into everyday working life. For a few days, appointments could be defended with laser shots. The detailed integration into the calendar caused irritation, but also enthusiasm.

Instead of navigating from A to B, the pixel snake suddenly rolled across a stylized map in Google Maps. The nostalgic mini-game was so popular that it was still being played weeks later. The joke was technically neat and almost seemed like an official feature.

The search for the man with the red and white striped cap also became a global challenge. In several levels, players were able to search directly in Google Maps. At the end there was a digital badge - and lots of entertainment.

What if search queries could not only be read, but also smelled? Google Nose promised exactly that. The idea was absurd, the accompanying promotional video convincingly produced. A prime example of satirical tech futurism.

A classic arcade game surprisingly found its way into everyday working life. For a few days, appointments could be defended with laser shots. The detailed integration into the calendar caused irritation, but also enthusiasm.

The Google Files app normally frees up storage space. In the April Fool's joke, it also promised to clean the display - using a digital wipe function. The implementation was so charming that many people actually looked for the feature.

Surfing the internet without having to do anything: With Chrome Self Browsing, Chromebooks were supposed to navigate the web on their own, supposedly capable of learning and personalized. The clip presented the idea with a seriousness that caused confusion - and smiles.

Borrowing from the 8-bit aesthetic of classic Nintendo games, Google Maps became a nostalgic time travel tool. Cities looked like levels in a role-playing game, zoom functions were reminiscent of old console times. Technically brilliant, visually daring.