The Chrome Web Store has updated its affiliate insertion policy following the incident with Honey, a popular coupon search service by PayPal, which was found to be using its own affiliate codes to overwrite links that users clicked through popular influencers’ channels.
Honey’s main method of operation is through its Chrome extension, allowing it to track users’ web browsing activities. When users are in the process of checking out, Honey attempts to find coupons and switch cookies to display its own affiliate product recommendations. This approach often leads to users unintentionally supporting influencers they intended to avoid by clicking through their preferred influencer channels. However, for users with Honey installed, the commission is redirected to Honey without their awareness, leading to discontent among influential content creators.
The new rule explicitly states that extensions must notify users of affiliate modifications and inform them again when actually changing cookies.
Source: Chrome Developer
TL;DR: The Chrome Web Store has updated its policy on affiliate insertion following the Honey incident to require extension developers to notify users of affiliate changes and inform them when switching cookies.
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