Stand-Down for Browser Plugins

Affiliate marketing rules widely require a plug-in or browser extension to “stand down” when another affiliate sends traffic to a given advertiser. For example, suppose a user is reading a New York Times Wirecutter review of a product, and clicks the link to a seller’s web site. If Wirecutter monetizes that link with an affiliate link, any other software on a user’s computer – such as a “loyalty” or cashback browser plug-in – is prohibited by network rules from jumping into redirect the traffic or even to present its offer. That gives Wirecutter a fair chance to get paid for its work originating the lead.

Stand-down is notoriously difficult for networks and advertisers to test. Testing requires obtaining and installing hundreds of browser plug-ins. Plug-in practices change over time. Plug-ins have periodic changes which claim commission contrary to applicable rules – and we’ve seen that these “malfunctions” (if their developers are to be believed) often occur during peak shopping season.

VPT charts a course through this complexity. We test all the plug-ins you know, and hundreds you don’t. Our automated reports show practices in extreme clarity, including screen-capture video. We tabulate observations in an easy-to-use online grid.

For those that need information about historic violations – potentially, up to several years ago – we have that available on a by-request basis from our archives.