The world of online shopping is often riddled with promises of great deals, but sometimes, those promises can be misleading. The Honey browser extension, widely touted by influencers for helping consumers secure the best discounts, is now under scrutiny. Recent investigations by YouTuber MegaLag reveal disturbing practices within Honey’s operations, casting doubt on its value and integrity.
Founded in 2012, Honey initially generated excitement among online shoppers for its ability to apply discount codes automatically at checkout. Soon after popularity surged through social media platforms—both as promotional content from influencers and organic consumer adoption. By 2020, Honey was bought by PayPal for $4 billion, and its rebranding as PayPal Honey seemed to signal even greater things for the service. But as MegaLag's research highlights, the reality appears far from its glossy sales pitch.
At the core of the controversy lies how Honey operates when it encounters discount codes. According to MegaLag, when shopping online, consumers believe they are receiving the best discounts through the extension. For example, if a store offers one code at 30% off and another at just 5%, Honey will frequently default to displaying only the latter. MegaLag pointed out, "Using MegaLag's example as a yardstick, if a store offers up to a 30% discount on a product via one discount code and a 5% discount via another code, Honey will show you only the latter." This practice can leave many consumers feeling cheated and robbed of potential savings.
But the controversy doesn’t stop there. One of the more shocking revelations from MegaLag’s findings is the impact on influencer revenue. Oftentimes, when creators promote products using affiliate links, they earn commissions based on sales generated through their referrals. Yet, when browsers have the Honey extension installed, Honey stealthily replaces the affiliate cookies with its own. This means even if you purchase something through the creator's link, Honey is credited with the sale, denying the influencers their rightful earnings. MegaLag explains how this not only harms individual creators but potentially undermines trust between creators and their audiences. "When good ideas get taken over by big companies for big money, the consumer rarely benefits," MegaLag concluded, capturing the sentiment of damaged consumer-influencer relationships.
The findings paint Honey as not just another tech tool gone awry, but rather a potential funnel for profit at the expense of ethics and transparency. Many influencers like Linus Tech Tips, MKBHD, and MrBeast have previously endorsed Honey, positioning it as beneficial for their viewers. With actual results painting a different picture, it's challenging to navigate the authenticity of their messages. MegaLag’s video investigation, part of a three-part series, has ignited conversations about who gets the short end of the stick here: is it the consumers who feel misled or the content creators left without due credit?
This predicament raises questions for avid online shoppers: Is using Honey worth the risk? While it offers the allure of free savings, MegaLag's conclusions encourage skepticism. Users should evaluate whether the extension makes their shopping experience significantly smoother or simply lulls them away from actively seeking real deals. Accordingly, MegaLag advises viewers to be cautious when relying solely on applications like Honey for savings: "If something seems too good to be true, your defenses should prick up." This words of wisdom urge consumers to invest time and effort back again to secure the real discounts instead of being led by automated promises.
So, what does one take away from this whirlwind of discoveries? While Honey initially brought excitement to online shopping, its current practices present significant risks for consumers and influencers alike. For those using the extension, it may be time to reconsider its place on your browser and evaluate alternative methods for verifying the best deals. Instead of assuming you’re getting the cream of the crop with every click, it might be more prudent to check prices yourself and invest time for greater returns.