Hey folks, I could use some advice! I'm running a Pokémon deal finder site that earns revenue through eBay affiliate links, and I'm considering developing a browser extension. The idea is to create an extension that displays whether Pokémon cards are above or below market value when people search on eBay. For instance, it would show messages like "25% under market value" in green or "90% over market value" in red above each listing. I want to have the extension convert some links to affiliate links. My question is: would this approach be allowed under the eBay Partner Network? I tried looking for information online but couldn't find anything specific about using browser extensions. I even asked ChatGPT, who said it's fine, but I'm skeptical and would love to hear from you all!
5 Answers
I might have a connection for you! My son runs a significant Pokémon store on eBay, and he could share some insights.
You’re basically trying to pull off what Honey does, but with fewer resources, so it could get tricky. I mean, it’s an interesting idea, but the chances of eBay being cool with it may not be great, especially given what's happening with Honey.
Yeah, they’ve attempted something similar already. Just tread carefully, since things like this can lead to unexpected issues.
You’re right that it’s a grey area! The Honey case deals with attribution, and since your extension could inadvertently hijack affiliate traffic, that’s where the concern lies. But if you’re providing a real service and not as big as Honey, eBay might not take action. Just be sure your extension only modifies links when it’s actively running with a banner displayed.
Honestly, it’s kind of a grey area right now. With the Honey lawsuit still ongoing, things might change. You could be fine, but it’s crucial to check the potential implications for your account. eBay might see this as a violation depending on their terms, so be careful!
Absolutely! Consulting a lawyer would be wise. It seems like you can do a lot with your own device, but if it affects users through your extension, they need to be aware of any terms of service you've set up.
Good point! Just make sure you’re not messing with links when the banners aren’t active. That could keep you on safer ground.