Google updates its policy after YouTuber MegaLag details a scheme under which the PayPal-owned Honey swapped creators' affiliate links for its own.

As a result of the Honey expose, Google has now changed its Chrome extension policies concerning affiliate ads and marketing.

The post Google is updating its Chrome extension polices after Honey scandal appeared first on Android Headlines.

In an apparent reaction to the infamous Honey scandal that rocked the internet at the start of the year, Google has altered the rules around Chrome extensions to block the tactics the Honey extension is believed to have used.

Honey was accused of taking affiliate revenue from the same influencers it paid for promotion by using its Chrome extension to swap in its own affiliate link before you checked out. According to the updated Google policy posted today, this isn’t allowed in most cases:

A new update to Google's Chrome Web Store policy should help protect shoppers from dubious affiliate marketing extensions.

Moving forward, Google Chrome extensions can only use affiliate links, discount codes, and cookies if they offer a clear, direct benefit at checkout, like real discounts or cash rebates. Extensions also can’t mess with shopping cookies or add affiliate links without upfront, transparent disclosure to users.

After the Honey scandal, Google tightened its rules to stop shady affiliate link practices in Chrome extensions. Instead of just finding deals, Honey was secretly swapping affiliate links, cutting creators and influencers out of their earnings.