!important

!important covers the intricacies of browser extensions, emphasizing their development, risks, and the evolving landscape of web technologies. It discusses practical guides to building and promoting extensions, security concerns, monetization strategies, and the impact of industry changes, like Chrome's Manifest V3. The role of emerging technologies, such as ChatGPT, and software engineering perspectives are also explored.

Browser Extension Development Web Development JavaScript Software Engineering Web Security Monetization Strategies Technology Industry Trends

The hottest Substack posts of !important

And their main takeaways

Introducing ExBoost: Revolutionizing Chrome Extension Discoverability

87 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Extensions Promotion Digital Advertising
  1. Extensions struggle with visibility in the large Chrome Web Store catalog, especially new ones without reviews or users
  2. ExBoost is a community-driven solution that lets extensions promote each other for free through banners
  3. ExBoost balances traffic across extensions, allowing them to gain visibility by showing banners inside other extensions

10 Things Every Chrome Extension Needs

153 implied HN points • 07 Jan 23
  1. An SEO-friendly name is crucial for visibility on the Chrome Web Store.
  2. A post-install action, like directing users to an options page, is important to engage users after installation.
  3. Including analytics and a support email are essential for improving user experience and receiving feedback.

Let's buy some fake Chrome extension reviews

4 HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Internet Cybersecurity Marketplaces Web Development Digital marketing
  1. The battle against fake reviews is ongoing, and platforms should introduce friction to deter these fraudulent practices.
  2. Users rely on authentic reviews to make informed decisions, emphasizing the importance of reliable review systems.
  3. To combat fake reviews, platforms can encourage real user feedback, automatically filter untrustworthy reviews, and provide transparency about the reviewers.
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Building a Chrome extension was too hard, I wrote a book to make it easy.

109 implied HN points • 23 Nov 22
  1. Many internet users in the US use ad blockers as browser extensions.
  2. Browser extensions can be highly valuable, as shown by the $4 billion acquisition of Honey by PayPal.
  3. Building a Chrome extension can be made easier with the right resources and guidance, such as the book 'Building Browser Extensions.'

Chrome's Manifest V3 Push Signals Changing of the Guard

21 implied HN points • 02 Oct 22
  1. Chrome's Manifest V3 makes extensions less useful and powerful by changing APIs.
  2. V3 extensions lose the ability to execute remote code like inline scripts or userscripts.
  3. Mozilla may provide refuge for developers and users unhappy with Chrome's changes.

The Cambrian Explosion of ChatGPT Browser Extensions

0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 23
  1. ChatGPT Browser Extensions are rapidly growing in number and utility
  2. ChatGPT is an advanced language model used for conversation generation
  3. OpenAI's permissive stance encourages developers to innovate with ChatGPT in browser extensions