Should I Build It Should I Build It
05 May 2025
Chrome Extensions

A browser extension that allows users to find and delete cookies

Confidence
Engagement
Net use signal
Net buy signal

Idea type: Run Away

Multiple attempts have failed with clear negative feedback. Continuing down this path would likely waste your time and resources when better opportunities exist elsewhere.

Should You Build It?

Don't build it.

Your are here

Your idea for a browser extension to find and delete cookies falls into a crowded space. We found 10 similar products, indicating high competition. Considering the number of similar products, it's going to be tough to stand out. The average comment count on these similar products is 15, suggesting high engagement, but the lack of positive signals for use or purchase means there's no clear user demand. Given the existing solutions and the absence of expressed need, this venture could be challenging and might not be the best use of your time and resources. I know this might sting, but I'd rather be honest with you so you can focus on better ideas.

Recommendations

  1. Thoroughly analyze the negative comments and criticisms from existing cookie management tools. For example, some tools have been criticized for not blocking embedded JavaScript, causing security concerns. Understanding these shortcomings will give you a clearer picture of user pain points and unmet needs.
  2. Explore related problems that your skills could address, but ensure they are distinct from cookie management. Instead of focusing on cookie deletion, perhaps investigate a tool that enhances user privacy through proactive data anonymization or secure browsing habits.
  3. If you've already built a prototype, consider repurposing the technology for a different application. Can the core functionality be adapted to a different problem space, such as enhancing website security or streamlining browser performance?
  4. Talk to at least three people who have tried similar cookie management extensions. Instead of asking leading questions, try to listen without judgment, and understand the 'jobs' they are hiring such tools to do for them. What specific needs do they have, and how are current solutions falling short?
  5. Synthesize your learnings from the competitive analysis and user interviews. Identify any recurring themes or unmet needs that could inform your next project. Use these insights to generate a new, more promising idea.
  6. Consider focusing on a niche aspect of browser privacy, such as managing permissions for microphone and camera access, which is an area that receives less attention but is critical for user security. A tool that simplifies the process of reviewing and revoking permissions could offer substantial value.
  7. Investigate the possibility of creating a browser extension that visualizes the data tracked by cookies on a website. Instead of just deleting them, users could see what information is being collected and make informed decisions about which cookies to keep or remove. This transparency could be a key differentiator.
  8. Explore integrating your extension with existing password managers to provide a unified privacy solution. Users could manage their cookies, passwords, and other sensitive information in a single, secure location. This integration could enhance user convenience and security.

Questions

  1. Given the existing negative feedback on similar cookie management tools, what unique features can you implement to address the identified pain points and offer a superior user experience?
  2. How can you leverage the existing infrastructure of popular browser extensions to create a solution that seamlessly integrates with users' workflows and avoids the pitfalls of previous attempts?
  3. Considering the high competition in the browser privacy space, what innovative marketing strategies can you employ to reach your target audience and effectively communicate the value proposition of your extension?

Your are here

Your idea for a browser extension to find and delete cookies falls into a crowded space. We found 10 similar products, indicating high competition. Considering the number of similar products, it's going to be tough to stand out. The average comment count on these similar products is 15, suggesting high engagement, but the lack of positive signals for use or purchase means there's no clear user demand. Given the existing solutions and the absence of expressed need, this venture could be challenging and might not be the best use of your time and resources. I know this might sting, but I'd rather be honest with you so you can focus on better ideas.

Recommendations

  1. Thoroughly analyze the negative comments and criticisms from existing cookie management tools. For example, some tools have been criticized for not blocking embedded JavaScript, causing security concerns. Understanding these shortcomings will give you a clearer picture of user pain points and unmet needs.
  2. Explore related problems that your skills could address, but ensure they are distinct from cookie management. Instead of focusing on cookie deletion, perhaps investigate a tool that enhances user privacy through proactive data anonymization or secure browsing habits.
  3. If you've already built a prototype, consider repurposing the technology for a different application. Can the core functionality be adapted to a different problem space, such as enhancing website security or streamlining browser performance?
  4. Talk to at least three people who have tried similar cookie management extensions. Instead of asking leading questions, try to listen without judgment, and understand the 'jobs' they are hiring such tools to do for them. What specific needs do they have, and how are current solutions falling short?
  5. Synthesize your learnings from the competitive analysis and user interviews. Identify any recurring themes or unmet needs that could inform your next project. Use these insights to generate a new, more promising idea.
  6. Consider focusing on a niche aspect of browser privacy, such as managing permissions for microphone and camera access, which is an area that receives less attention but is critical for user security. A tool that simplifies the process of reviewing and revoking permissions could offer substantial value.
  7. Investigate the possibility of creating a browser extension that visualizes the data tracked by cookies on a website. Instead of just deleting them, users could see what information is being collected and make informed decisions about which cookies to keep or remove. This transparency could be a key differentiator.
  8. Explore integrating your extension with existing password managers to provide a unified privacy solution. Users could manage their cookies, passwords, and other sensitive information in a single, secure location. This integration could enhance user convenience and security.

Questions

  1. Given the existing negative feedback on similar cookie management tools, what unique features can you implement to address the identified pain points and offer a superior user experience?
  2. How can you leverage the existing infrastructure of popular browser extensions to create a solution that seamlessly integrates with users' workflows and avoids the pitfalls of previous attempts?
  3. Considering the high competition in the browser privacy space, what innovative marketing strategies can you employ to reach your target audience and effectively communicate the value proposition of your extension?

  • Confidence: High
    • Number of similar products: 10
  • Engagement: High
    • Average number of comments: 15
  • Net use signal: -4.8%
    • Positive use signal: 3.3%
    • Negative use signal: 8.1%
  • Net buy signal: -2.2%
    • Positive buy signal: 0.0%
    • Negative buy signal: 2.2%

This chart summarizes all the similar products we found for your idea in a single plot.

The x-axis represents the overall feedback each product received. This is calculated from the net use and buy signals that were expressed in the comments. The maximum is +1, which means all comments (across all similar products) were positive, expressed a willingness to use & buy said product. The minimum is -1 and it means the exact opposite.

The y-axis captures the strength of the signal, i.e. how many people commented and how does this rank against other products in this category. The maximum is +1, which means these products were the most liked, upvoted and talked about launches recently. The minimum is 0, meaning zero engagement or feedback was received.

The sizes of the product dots are determined by the relevance to your idea, where 10 is the maximum.

Your idea is the big blueish dot, which should lie somewhere in the polygon defined by these products. It can be off-center because we use custom weighting to summarize these metrics.

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