Survey: NOLA, Baton Rouge love pranks

Louisiana’s capital is among the U.S. cities that love practical jokes the most.
Tell us something we don’t know.
A survey of internet searches from the nation’s largest cities, conducted by the DuelBits website and timed to coincide with April Fool’s Day, found that Baton Rouge averages 5,490 prank-related searches per month, the 24th largest total.
New Orleans ranks 15th with 11,710.
Washington, D.C., didn’t make the list. No fooling.
With mischief, practical jokes, and tricks expected across the nation this week for April Fools’ Day, a new study has revealed that Louisiana is home to two of the biggest prankster cities in America.
The research from DuelBits analyzed Google searches made from people living in the 100 most populous cities for 50 common jokes and pranks, revealing which cities had the most searches per 100,000 people over the past year and, therefore, are more likely to see mischief.
Across America, 23.8 million searches have been made in the past year about pranks.
From office antics to family-friendly tricks, people in New Orleans are the 15th most likely to be pranked, as residents are warned to keep their wits about them this April Fools’ Day.
The Big Easy has seen residents generate 36,594 prank-related searches per 100,000 people in the last 12 months.
This is almost 50% higher than the average across all American cities, which is 24,915 searches annually.
In the last year, New Orleanians have made a total of 140,520 searches, which is the 32nd most of all cities. In comparison, Chicagoans made the most prank-related searches at 763,440, but with a higher population, the Windy City only ranks 27th for escapade searches made per 100,000 people (27,798).
Some of the most popularly searched-for pranks in New Orleans include prank calls (29,160), fake tattoos (12,960), and fake blood (6,240), as well as classics such as silly string (4,440), fake lottery tickets (3,600), and whoopee cushions (3,120).
Locals in the Red Stick have made 28,962 prank-related searches per 100,000 people, above the national average, but 7,632 fewer than those living in New Orleans.
In total, Baton Rouge recorded 65,880 searches over the past year, which is the 60th most, and 74,640 fewer than those in the Big Easy.
The most popular joke in Baton Rouge is also prank calls, with 17,040 annual searches. In second place is using fake blood (7,200), with fake tattoos in third (6,120).
The full study crowns Orlando as the prank capital of America, as locals have made 108,969 prank-related searches per 100,000 people in the last 12 months.
Residents in the City Beautiful have made a total of 335,160 searches in that time.
A spokesperson for DuelBits commented: “Our research shows that pranksters are running rampant ahead of April Fools’ Day, and people all over the country can expect to see jump scares and hoaxes from family, friends, and work colleagues.
“The Pelican State stands out for the high number of people looking to fool their friends with fake tattoos or play prank calls.
"However, the big question is, will they go for a large stunt or an old classic?”