Islamabad, Mar 12 2025: Amid growing allegations that the Honey Chrome extension Scam engaged in misleading advertising tactics, Google has introduced new restrictions on affiliate marketing practices for Chrome extensions.
Recent reports from content creators have revealed that Honey, despite compensating influencers for endorsements, was allegedly diverting affiliate revenue by swapping retailers’.
Original affiliate links with its own moments before customers completed their purchases. Under Google’s updated policy, released today, such practices are now explicitly banned in most cases.
The newly enforced guidelines specify that Honey Chrome extension Scam may only incorporate affiliate links, promotional codes.
Or tracking cookies if they provide a direct and transparent advantage to the user while aligning with the extension’s intended function.
Modifying affiliate links without a user-initiated action or a clear, tangible benefit is now strictly prohibited.
Frequent violations under the revised rules include embedding affiliate links when no actual discount, cashback reward, or charitable contribution is extended to the user.
Extensions that automatically insert affiliate links in the background without any user engagement will also be deemed non-compliant.
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Twitter/X Disrupted in Pakistan and Other Countries Following CyberattacksThe controversy surrounding Honey Chrome extension Scam firstly surfaced when YouTuber MegaLag released an investigative video that exposed the extension’s alleged tactics. The video, which has amassed over 17 million views.
Detailed how the extension manipulated affiliate links to reroute commissions away from retailers and influencers. A follow-up video, initially set for release weeks earlier, was reportedly delayed due to undisclosed developments behind the scenes.
Adding to the mounting legal troubles for PayPal, which owns Honey, prominent YouTuber Legal Eagle filed a lawsuit against the company in January. The legal action cites Honey’s alleged unauthorized affiliate link substitutions and other related concerns.
In the wake of these revelations, several well-known YouTubers have publicly cut ties with Honey, distancing themselves from the extension as accusations of deceptive practices continue to gain traction.
