Chrome Web Store Safety: How to Check Extensions Before Installing

A colorful graphic representation of the Chrome Web Store combining the Google Chrome logo, a shopping basket, and a workstation setup.

Last Updated: September 23, 2026

⚓ A useful Chrome extension can improve browsing in seconds—but an extension can also receive access to sensitive browser data. 

Before installing one, a few simple checks can help you make a more informed choice.

Introduction:

🎯 The Chrome Web Store provides extensions that add features, productivity tools, shortcuts, and other capabilities to Google Chrome. 

But every extension deserves a basic security and privacy check before you add it to your browser.

Google explains that extensions can request different levels of access, including access to browsing history, tabs, website data, bookmarks, or other information. 

Some extensions can also change browser settings such as the homepage, new-tab page, or search engine.

👉 This guide from Search Engine Success (SES) explains practical ways to evaluate a Chrome Web Store extension before installing it.

Including checking the publisher, permissions, reviews, privacy information, update history, and the extension's actual purpose.

How to Check a Chrome Extension Before Installing

1. Check the Publisher

Start with the extension's publisher information. 

The Chrome Web Store provides publisher information and badges that can help users assess an extension.

Google's current Chrome Web Store guidance identifies an Established Publisher badge for publishers.

Whose identity has been verified and who have demonstrated a consistent positive track record with Google services and compliance with developer policies. 

A featured badge indicates that the extension has met Google's stated technical and user-experience criteria and has been reviewed by the Chrome Web Store team.

A badge should not replace your own checks, but it can provide useful information when comparing extensions.

2. Read the Permissions Carefully

Permissions are one of the most important things to examine before installation.

Google notes that extensions may request access to information such as browsing history, tabs, website data, bookmarks, copied data, or device location. 

Some permissions can provide extensive access to websites or other browser information.

Ask a simple question:

Does the requested access make sense for what the extension is supposed to do?

For example, an extension that manages webpage content may reasonably need website access. 

But if its requested permissions seem much broader than its stated purpose, investigate further before installing it.

3. Read Reviews and Ratings

Reviews can provide useful clues about how an extension behaves in real-world use.

Look for recent comments about:

unexpected advertising or pop-ups

privacy concerns

unwanted browser changes

excessive permissions

reliability after updates

problems reported by multiple users

Don't rely on the star rating alone. 

Read several recent reviews and look for recurring patterns.

Google also notes that ratings and reviews are among the information users can consider when evaluating Chrome Web Store items, although Google does not verify the authenticity of individual reviews.

4. Check Privacy Information

If an extension handles browsing activity or other personal information, examine its privacy practices before installation.

Chrome Web Store listings can provide information about an extension's data practices. 

This is particularly important for extensions that interact with websites, passwords, financial information, communications, or other sensitive material.

A useful rule is simple:

Understand what information the extension needs and why it needs it before giving permission.

5. Look at the Extension's Purpose

Don't install an extension simply because its title or description sounds useful.

Read the complete listing and determine:

What does the extension actually do?

Who developed it?

What permissions does it request?

Does the description clearly explain its purpose?

Does the requested access appear connected to its functionality?

Chrome's own guidance recommends installing extensions only when you trust them and reviewing the permissions they request.

6. Be Careful With Browser-Setting Changes

Some extensions can change browser settings such as your homepage, new-tab page, search engine, or start page. 

Google provides specific guidance for extensions that make these changes.

If an extension changes a setting you did not expect, review its permissions and settings. 

If you no longer want those changes, disabling or removing the extension can restore the previous settings in applicable cases.

7. Consider the Publisher's Track Record

A publisher with other established extensions may provide more information for evaluation than a brand-new account with little history.

However, new does not automatically mean unsafe, and an established publisher is not automatically risk-free. 

Consider the publisher together with permissions, reviews, privacy information, and the extension's stated purpose.

Google's Enhanced Safe Browsing can also warn users when an extension is not considered trusted under Google's criteria.

8. Keep Extensions Updated and Review Them Periodically

Installing an extension should not be the end of your evaluation.

Review your installed extensions periodically. 

Check whether you still use them and whether their permissions or behavior have changed.

Chrome also provides controls for managing extensions and their site access. 

Users can change whether an extension can access the current site, specific sites, or all sites, depending on the extension and its permissions.

If an extension becomes unnecessary, removing it reduces the number of third-party tools operating in your browser.

9. Don't Assume Open Source Automatically Means Safe

Open-source software can allow code to be examined by others, which can be useful. 

But open source by itself is not a guarantee of security.

For a Chrome extension, still examine its publisher, permissions, reviews, privacy information, update history, and actual functionality.

10. Use a Simple Final Check

Before clicking Add to Chrome, ask yourself:

Do I know who publishes it?

Do I understand its permissions?

Do recent reviews raise concerns?

Does its requested access match its purpose?

Am I comfortable giving it access to the websites or information it requests?

If the answers are unclear, take more time to investigate or look for another extension that provides the same function with a more understandable permission model.

Quick Facts About Chrome Web Store Safety

 

• Chrome extensions can request access to browsing history, tabs, website data, bookmarks, and other information depending on their permissions.

• The Chrome Web Store provides publisher information and badges that can help users evaluate extensions.

• An Established Publisher badge indicates verified identity and a consistent positive track record with Google services and developer-policy compliance.

• Reviews and ratings can provide useful user feedback, but Google does not verify the authenticity of individual reviews.

• Chrome provides controls for managing installed extensions and their website access.

 

FAQs About Chrome Web Store Safety

Q1. Is the Chrome Web Store safe to use?

The Chrome Web Store has security and review processes, but users should still evaluate individual extensions before installing them. 

Google uses automated review and conducts additional manual reviews for items presenting increased user risk.

Q2. Should I check extension permissions before installing?

Yes. Permissions explain what information or browser functions an extension may access. 

Make sure the requested access is reasonable for the extension's stated purpose.

Q3. Does a high rating guarantee an extension is safe?

No. Ratings and reviews can provide useful information, but they should be considered alongside publisher information, permissions, privacy practices, and the extension's functionality.

Q4. What is the Established Publisher badge?

Google says the Established Publisher badge is granted to publishers whose identity has been verified.

And who have demonstrated a consistent positive track record with Google services and compliance with developer policies.

Q5. What should I do if a Chrome extension behaves suspiciously?

Review its permissions and settings, disable or remove it if appropriate, and check Chrome's extension-management controls. 

If an extension is corrupted or appears unsafe, Chrome provides additional troubleshooting and removal guidance. 

Conclusion

⚜️ The Chrome Web Store can make Chrome more useful, but choosing an extension should involve more than looking at its name or rating. 

Check the publisher, permissions, reviews, privacy information, purpose, and browser-setting access before installation.

A few minutes of careful checking can help you make a more informed decision about which extensions deserve access to your browser. 

Review your installed extensions periodically as well, especially when you no longer need them.

Browse carefully, understand permissions, and keep control of your browser data.

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