Chrome has roughly 130,000 plus extensions . Some of them sneakily sum up their affiliate contact without provide any real benefit to the user . That ’s exactly what we vex to know from the Honey Scam . To combat fishy affiliate extensions like these , Google justupdated its Chrome extension policywith a few changes . Here ’s what ’s vary .
What’s Changing in Chrome Extension Update?
Extensions can no longer sneak in , change , or replace affiliate linkup unless they cater a unclouded benefit to the user . That entail no more sneaky tactics like add an affiliate link just because you chat a web site or come home on an lengthiness .
Extensions must now meet three primal rule :
Why Google is doing this you ask ? The biggest reason is insult . Some extensions , like Honey , were catch hijacking affiliate codes without user knowing . Instead of just notice coupons , Honey was inserting its own affiliate codification — even when no voucher was used . This rent Honey earn commission on purchase while blocking other logical affiliates from getting credit .
Last yr , MegaLag exposed Honeyto this exact practice . The backlash was huge , and Honey suffer around 3 million user . Google ’s new policy in effect ban this demeanour , forcing extensions to be more lucid and use affiliate links with permission and only when they provide value .
The insurance policy update also provides specific examples of violations , such as :
How Will This Affect Extensions?
extension that swear on hidden affiliate tactics will need to change how they operate on or risk being bump off from the Chrome entanglement Store . If they do n’t offer a real welfare — like an actual discount or cashback — they ca n’t inject affiliate links anymore .
Google now also need that extension reveal their use of affiliate programs in their Chrome Web storage listing . Many extensions , including Honey , have used affiliate behind the scene for years without revelation , which led to backlash . This young ruler see to it users jazz incisively how these extensions are making money .
This also means that Chrome users will have amore honest browsing experience . No more extensions taciturnly score money off your purchases without your knowledge .
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For now , Honey is still available on the Chrome Web Store , with around 17 million users , down from 18 million earlier this year . But with these new rule , its occupation model may need to alter . If it continues to inject affiliate link unfairly , Google could take action at law against it .
This is a big win for Chrome user and a warning to fishy extension . Google ’s update ensures that affiliate links are only used fairly , protect users from tacit tracking and unfair monetisation . If you use coupon extensions , it ’s deserving checking if they comply with these new rules . Otherwise , you might not be getting the plenty you believe you are .
