Is Trending News & Search safe?
Trending News & Search redirects user searches to Yahoo using hardcoded affiliate tracking codes with no disclosure to users.
When a user submits a search, the extension constructs a Yahoo Search URL containing hardcoded affiliate codes (hspart=ata, hsimp=yhs-001) and navigates the browser to it. The extension's UI presents only a generic 'Search the web' prompt with no indication that searches are monetized through an undisclosed affiliate arrangement. User search queries are transmitted to search.yahoo.com alongside the affiliate tracking parameters.
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Findings
Search box sends queries to a Yahoo affiliate URL
When you search, the extension builds a Yahoo URL with your terms plus fixed tracking parameters.
The box reads only "Search the web" while using hspart=ata, hsimp=yhs-001, type=9024444-aal-180001-180002, param1=180001, param2=180002.
You submit a search in the extension's search box.
The visible placeholder says "Search the web".
The extension sends the browser to Yahoo Search with your query and fixed partner tracking values.
The redirect is assigned directly to the page location after the form is submitted.
| Field | Value | Why it matters | |
|---|---|---|---|
Your search terms | weather | The words you typed are sent as the search query. | |
Yahoo search endpoint | https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search | Your browser is sent to Yahoo Search instead of staying inside the extension. | |
Partner source | hspart=ata | This fixed value marks the request as coming through a partner search integration. | |
Partner implementation | hsimp=yhs-001 | This fixed value adds another partner tag to the same search request. | |
Campaign type | type=9024444-aal-180001-180002 | This fixed value can group the request with a specific traffic source or campaign. | |
Additional partner IDs | param1=180001¶m2=180002 | These fixed values add more attribution context to the same search request. |
The form submit handler that builds the Yahoo redirect
function Uu() {
const e = U.useRef(null),
t = n => {
var i;
n.preventDefault();
const r = (i = e.current) == null ? void 0 : i.value.trim();
if (r) {
const o = `https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=ata&hsimp=yhs-001&grd=1&type=9024444-aal-180001-180002¶m1=180001¶m2=180002&p=${encodeURIComponent(r)}`;
window.location.href = o, e.current && (e.current.value = "")
}
};
return w.jsx("div", {
className: "search-wrapper",
children: w.jsx("div", {
className: "search",
children: w.jsx("form", {
id: "yahooSearch",
onSubmit: n => t(n),
children: w.jsx("input", {
id: "yahooSearchQuery",
ref: e,
type: "text",
placeholder: "Search the web",
autoComplete: "off"
})
})
})
})
}- search.yahoo.com
Receives the submitted search query through Yahoo Search with fixed partner attribution parameters.