The popular PayPal-owned browser extension Honey is facing accusations of deceiving customers and YouTubers. In a recent video, YouTuber MegaLag alleged that Honey intercepts affiliate revenue from influencers and prioritizes its own coupons over better deals, sparking controversy around the extension's business practices.

Honey, which claims to find every working promo code on the internet, works by popping up an offer to find coupon codes for users while they're checking out in an online shop. However, MegaLag's video revealed that Honey frequently fails to find a code or offers a Honey-branded one, even if a simple internet search would yield better deals. This raises questions about Honey's partnerships with its retail clients and whether it prioritizes its own interests over providing the best deals for users.

MegaLag's video also accused Honey of hijacking affiliate revenue from influencers. According to the YouTuber, if a user clicks on an affiliate link from an influencer, Honey swaps in its own tracking link when the user interacts with its deal pop-up at checkout. This means that Honey gets the credit for the sale, rather than the YouTuber or website whose link led the user there. This practice has been criticized for unfairly depriving influencers of their rightful earnings.

In response to the allegations, PayPal VP of corporate communications Josh Criscoe stated that "Honey follows industry rules and practices, including last-click attribution." However, this response has done little to quell the controversy, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability from Honey.

This is not the first time Honey has faced criticism for its business practices. In 2021, a Twitter post advised using Honey's discount codes in a different browser to avoid it taking the affiliate credit. Additionally, a Linus Media Group employee revealed in a 2022 forum reply that Linus Tech Tips dropped Honey as a sponsor over its affiliate link practices.

Despite the controversy, Honey's convenience has resulted in the extension being widely recommended, including in almost 5,000 Honey-sponsored videos across about 1,000 YouTube channels. However, in light of these allegations, many are reevaluating their use of the extension and calling for greater scrutiny of its business practices.

The implications of this controversy extend beyond Honey, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the affiliate marketing industry as a whole. As the online shopping landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that companies prioritize fairness and honesty in their dealings with customers and influencers alike.

In conclusion, the allegations against Honey serve as a reminder that even the most popular and convenient tools can have hidden drawbacks. As users, it is essential that we remain vigilant and critically evaluate the tools we use, holding companies accountable for their actions and demanding fairness and transparency in their business practices.