Late last year,????? ??????? ???????? a YouTube video uncovering the shady affiliate tactics of PayPal's coupon Chrome extension, Honey, went viral.
The 23-minute video by YouTube creator MegaLagreceived more than 17 million views and spurred lawsuits against PayPal from YouTubers like Legal Eagleand GamersNexus.
As a result of the Honey expose, Google has now changed its Chrome extension policiesconcerning affiliate ads and marketing.
First, as a refresher, Honey is a Chrome extension from PayPal that alerts users when it detects a coupon code relevant to their current e-commerce shopping cart. In exchange for providing the user with this coupon code, Honey enables PayPal's affiliate link on the user's computer so that PayPal receives credit for the customer's purchase. PayPal receives monetary compensation for every purchase made through their affiliate link from the e-commerce store.
SEE ALSO: YouTuber Marques Brownlee explains his part in the alleged Honey 'scam'However, it appears that many Honey users were unaware of how the Chrome extension worked. MegaLag's video also highlighted that Honey inserted its affiliate link even if it had not discovered a relevant active coupon code. In addition, Honey would also replace an existing affiliate link, or where the shopper's purchase actually originated from, with its own in order to be credited for the sale.
While Honey users were incensed over Honey's affiliate link tactics, the move actually hurt content creators. YouTubers and other creators often recommend products, and their fans make their purchase through the creator's affiliate link to help support them. Affiliate sales can often make up a substantial portion of a creator's revenue. Honey was essentially stealing those sales from creators.
Honey's tactics resulted in Google rolling out brand new affiliate ads policies for Chrome extensions.
According to the new policy, which is available on the Chrome for Developers website, "Affiliate links, codes, or cookies must only be included when the extension provides a direct and transparent user benefit related to the extension's core functionality. It is not permitted to inject affiliate links without related user action and without providing a tangible benefit to users."
To make it absolutely clear, Google even provided some examples that would be in violation of this policy, such as inserting an affiliate link when no coupon, cashback, or other discount is provided. In addition, Google says a user must take action for an extension to inject an affiliate code. The extension can't just insert the affiliate code without being manually prompted to do so by the user.
"Related user action is required before the inclusion of each affiliate code, link, or cookie," reads the next section of the policy.
This section clearly states that a Chrome extension must notify the user if it is replacing an existing affiliate link with its own. Any Chrome extension replacing an affiliate link without a user's knowledge violates Google's policies.
Looking through the policy, it appears to be a pretty targeted response to Honey's affiliate tactics. It also doesn't appear to affect the legitimate utility that Honey and other coupon — and cashback-related Chrome extensions — provide users.
JACL Calls for Community Healing in Wake of Politician’s Racist Comments
AAPIs for Bernie: The Fight Continues
Irene Yasutake Hirano Inouye: Remembering a Treasured Friend
JANM Hosts Virtual Gala This Saturday
March 10 Program Recognizes Those Who Battled World War II ‘Fake News’
OBITUARY: Irene Hirano Inouye, 71; President of U.S.
Alumni Physician Sisters Battle COVID
Alumni Physician Sisters Battle COVID
VJCC Introduces Miss Western L.A.
Nintendo officially confirms another 'Super Mario Bros.' movie is on the way
15th Anniversary of Terminal Island Memorial Celebrated
JACL Joins Congress in Condemning Anti
JACL Joins Forces with OC Human Relations Council to Combat Hate Crimes
Feeding Little Tokyo
Tuna Canyon Exhibit at Santa Barbara Historical Museum
OBITUARY: Irene Hirano Inouye, 71; President of U.S.
Senators to Facebook: Shut Down WhatsApp Spread of Coronavirus Misinformation
'The Gentlemen' review: A rollercoaster that's too much filler, not enough killer
Chicago JA Oral History Project Unveiled
Heart Mountain Interpretive Center Remembers Irene Hirano Inouye
20 gifts for people who've been burned by 2018How to navigate the world of internet pet adoption with your kidsStephen King just demolished Donald Trump over his latest comments about the wallMy dog nanny cam turned me into a helicopter dog momDick Van Dyke, 92, puts Piers Morgan in his place on TwitterMeet Tango, the weirdest horse on TwitterGuy who posts billboards gets pranked with a billboard of his own faceRussell Brand shares a moving video about how to deal with griefManchester United's 'not a cellphone in sight' meme backfires spectacularlyGeorge H.W. Bush's service dog Sully is too good for this world American Mirage NASA's rovers just found similar gnarly rocks on opposite sides of Mars Surveillance Valley The Post-Text Hustle The Thou of Zadie Smith Best portable projector deal: The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is $120 off In the House of a Thousand Likes Grab the Shark FlexFusion while it has a rare discount Amazon Big Spring Sale Levoit vacuum deal: Save $100 Amazon Spring Sale 2025: Best Soundcore P30i earbuds deal
0.2009s , 10027.2890625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【????? ??????? ????????】Enter to watch online.Google cracks down on Chrome extensions following Honey scandal,Global Hot Topic Analysis
