Honey, the widely popular browser extension, promises users discounts and savings with minimal effort. However, new evidence suggests that Honey may be engaging in practices that harm creators, consumers, and businesses alike. Allegations of affiliate commission hijacking, misleading discount claims, and exploitative business tactics have cast doubt on the integrity of this service.
1. Allegations of Affiliate Commission Hijacking
Honey has been accused of replacing affiliate tracking cookies at the checkout stage, redirecting commissions meant for creators or influencers to itself. For instance, when users apply Honey’s discounts, the extension reportedly overwrites existing affiliate cookies with its own. This effectively diverts commission earnings from the original referrer to Honey.
Creators and influencers, many of whom unknowingly promoted Honey, may have lost significant revenue due to this practice. Content creators rely on affiliate marketing as a critical income source, making this alleged practice a serious concern.
2. Misleading Discount Practices
Honey claims to find and apply the “best” discounts for consumers. However, investigations reveal that partner businesses control the codes displayed by Honey. Even when better discounts exist, Honey may only apply codes approved by these businesses, leaving consumers under the false impression they’ve received the best deal.
This deceptive practice raises significant ethical concerns, as users trust Honey to provide unbiased savings.
3. Exploitation of Last-Click Attribution
Affiliate marketing often operates on a “last-click attribution” model, where the final interaction before purchase determines who earns the commission. Honey allegedly exploits this system by ensuring its interface triggers the last click, regardless of whether it adds any real value to the transaction.
This tactic not only undermines the efforts of genuine affiliates but also questions Honey’s contribution to the consumer experience.
4. Honey Gold: The Cashback Concern
Honey Gold, now rebranded as PayPal Rewards, offers users cashback for clicking through its platform. However, the rewards are often minimal compared to the commissions Honey earns. In one test, Honey reportedly earned $35 in commission but awarded the user only $0.89 in points.
This raises questions about the fairness of its cashback program and whether it truly benefits consumers.
5. Impact on Businesses
Businesses partnering with Honey face unique challenges. Honey’s practices can lead to invalid discount applications, which directly impact revenue. Additionally, companies often feel pressured to raise prices to offset the financial losses caused by Honey’s methods.
For businesses, this dynamic erodes trust and creates long-term financial strain.
The Bigger Picture
The allegations against Honey highlight a broader issue of transparency and accountability in online commerce. While Honey markets itself as a consumer-friendly tool, the evidence suggests its practices may harm creators, businesses, and even its users.
Consumers and creators alike should critically evaluate their reliance on such tools and demand greater transparency in the affiliate marketing industry.
