Table of Contents
Introduction
We need to talk about Honey Extension. No, not the golden, sticky delight you drizzle on your pancakes. I’m referring to the Honey browser extension, a tool millions have relied on to save money while shopping online. But recently, Honey has found itself in hot water, accused of scamming both users and content creators out of millions. With over 3 million people reportedly uninstalling the extension, the question on everyone’s mind is: Should you delete Honey now?
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the allegations, explore what Honey actually does, and answer the burning questions you might have. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to decide whether Honey deserves a spot in your browser—or if it’s time to hit that uninstall button.
What Does Honey Do?
Before we get into the controversy, let’s break down what Honey is supposed to do. Honey is a browser extension that promises to help you save money while shopping online. Here’s how it works:
- Coupon Code Finder: When you’re ready to check out, Honey scans for available coupon codes and applies the best one to your cart.
- Price Tracking: It tracks prices on items you’re interested in and alerts you when they drop.
- Rewards Program: Honey offers a rewards program called Honey Gold, where you earn points for purchases that can be redeemed for gift cards.
Sounds great, right? Who wouldn’t want to save a few bucks without lifting a finger? But according to content creators and influencers, there’s more to Honey than meets the eye.
The Allegations Against Honey
1. Stealing Affiliate Revenue
Content creators like YouTuber Megaleg and tech reviewer Marques Brownlee have accused Honey of stealing affiliate revenue. Here’s how it allegedly works:
- When you click on a product link from a creator’s website or video, a cookie is placed in your browser to track the referral.
- If you make a purchase, the creator earns a commission from the retailer.
- However, if you use Honey during checkout, it allegedly replaces the creator’s affiliate cookie with its own, pocketing the commission instead.
This means that while creators spend hours researching, reviewing, and promoting products, Honey swoops in and takes a cut of their hard-earned revenue.
2. Misleading Coupon Codes
Honey claims to find the best deals for users, but some have accused it of using inferior coupon codes to benefit retailers. In a video by Megaleg, he tested Honey’s coupon-finding capabilities and found instances where better codes were available online, but Honey applied a less favorable one. This raises questions about whether Honey is truly working in the user’s best interest—or the retailer’s.
3. Rewards Program Scam
Honey’s rewards program, Honey Gold, has also come under fire. Critics argue that the points users earn are essentially a small percentage of the affiliate commissions Honey steals. In other words, Honey allegedly takes a large cut for itself and gives users a tiny slice of the pie.
Honey’s Response
PayPal, which owns Honey, has denied the allegations. In a statement to Tom’s Guide, a PayPal spokesperson said:
“We dispute the allegations in the lawsuits and will defend against them vigorously. Honey is free to use and provides millions of shoppers with additional savings on their purchases whenever possible. Honey follows industry rules and practices, including last-click attribution, which is widely used across major brands.”
The key phrase here is “last-click attribution,” a common industry practice where the last referral source before a purchase gets the commission. Honey claims it’s playing by the rules, but critics argue it’s exploiting this practice to its advantage.
What Should You Do?
With all these accusations flying around, you’re probably wondering: Should I delete Honey? Here’s what to consider:
- Support Content Creators: If you regularly shop through affiliate links from your favorite creators, uninstalling Honey ensures they get the commissions they deserve.
- Better Deals Elsewhere: If Honey isn’t always finding the best coupon codes, you might be better off using alternative tools or manually searching for deals.Wait for More
- Information: The allegations are serious, but they haven’t been proven in court. If you’re on the fence, you could wait for more clarity before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honey a scam?
Honey hasn’t been found guilty of any wrongdoing, but the allegations are concerning. Whether it’s a scam depends on how the legal proceedings unfold.
Does Honey steal affiliate revenue?
Content creators claim it does by replacing their affiliate cookies with its own during checkout.
Are there alternatives to Honey?
Yes! Extensions like Rakuten, Capital One Shopping, and Honey alternatives like CouponBirds offer similar features without the controversy.
Should I uninstall Honey?
If you want to support content creators or are concerned about the allegations, uninstalling might be the best move.
What happens if I keep using Honey?
For now, you’ll continue to use its services, but you may miss out on supporting creators and potentially better deals.
Conclusion
The Honey controversy is a wake-up call for both shoppers and content creators. While the extension promises to save you money, the allegations suggest it might be doing so at the expense of others. Whether you choose to keep or delete Honey ultimately depends on your values and priorities.
If supporting creators and ensuring you’re getting the best deals matters to you, it might be time to say goodbye to Honey—at least until the dust settles. After all, there are plenty of other tools out there that can help you save without the ethical baggage.
