Build a simple AI Chrome extension and earn monthly subscription income

The claim

Build a simple AI Chrome extension and earn monthly subscription income.

Malicious AI Chrome extensions harvesting chat data were reported in December 2025 and January 2026.

How we checked

This is an evidence check, not a hands-on test. We reviewed platform rules and policies, published earnings data, regulator warnings and reporting: 3 sources, listed below.

Costs

Start-up cost

Varies

Effort

high

What the evidence shows

Most Chrome extensions attract very few users, so subscription income is the exception rather than the rule. A DebugBear count of the Chrome Web Store found about 70% of extensions had fewer than 100 users and the median was 17 users, while most installs went to extensions with over 100,000 installs each. Google also shut down Chrome Web Store payments, so developers must set up their own payment and licensing systems. Trust is a further hurdle: in December 2025 researchers found two AI chatbot extensions with around 900,000 combined downloads secretly harvesting users' AI conversations.

Realistic earnings: The sources show installs are heavily concentrated among a small number of popular extensions; a typical new extension is likely to have very few users, and none of the sources show typical subscription earnings.

Limitations

Earnings ranges are typical outcomes for a beginner, drawn from the sources; some people do far better or worse. Platform rules change often, so check the latest policy before you start.

Sources

1. Google's notice that Chrome Web Store payments were deprecated and developers must use another payments processor and handle licensing themselves developer.chrome.com
2. DebugBear count of Chrome Web Store items: about 70% of extensions under 100 users, median 17 users debugbear.com
3. Mishcon de Reya report on two AI Chrome extensions with about 900,000 downloads harvesting AI chats (January 2026, on research from December 2025) mishcon.com