Is Smooth Search Tab Safe? — Extension Safety Profile
Quick verdict: Smooth Search Tab earns a safety grade A, 82.4 out of 100, based on 5 of 5 dimensions.
82.4/100
Grade A · 5 of 5 checks
What we found
Automated safety profile from public signals (the extension's manifest & permissions, store listing, publisher, privacy policy). A full review hasn't been published yet.
What this safety grade means
Smooth Search Tab earns a safety grade of A (82.4/100), measured across 5 of 5 dimensions. Its strongest area is Data & Privacy (100%). The weakest is Maintenance & Ownership (10%) — what holds its grade back the most.
On the public records we can check, Smooth Search Tab comes through cleanly. 50,000 active users/installs reported on the store. Store rating 4.4/5 from 21 user ratings. Last updated on the store 2022-08-31. This is an automated profile, not a hands-on review — so treat the grade as a starting point: open Smooth Search Tab's own store listing and privacy policy before installing, and weigh it against the other browser extensions we track below.
Safety Signals
Based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions
| Dimension | Score | Bar | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher & Identity | 60% · 4.8/8 pts 2 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Permissions & Access | 100% · 25/25 pts 3 of 3 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Data & Privacy | 100% · 16/16 pts 4 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Maintenance & Ownership | 10% · 0.8/7.5 pts 1 of 2 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Community Reputation | 83% · 8.3/10 pts 2 of 4 checks verified | Automated signals |
In-depth safety analysis
The extension requests only the "storage" permission. This allows it to save a small amount of data locally in your browser, such as custom settings or preferences related to your new tab or search experience. It cannot read or modify the websites you visit. Such a permission is minimal and common for general browser extensions that need to remember user choices.
For any extension that alters the new tab or search page, careful users should understand that the extension likely controls which search engine is used and may display sponsored links or customized content. Even with limited permissions, it is wise to review the developer’s privacy policy for details on data collection. Here, the developer declares that data is not sold, used for unrelated purposes, or used for creditworthiness, which is a positive signal.
The strongest dimension in the fact sheet is Data & Privacy, scoring 100%, reflecting the clear and protective declarations made by the publisher. The weakest dimension is Maintenance & Ownership at 10%, driven by a lack of recent updates—the last version was released in August 2022. A long gap in updates can mean delayed security patches and potential compatibility issues over time, so a user should weigh that against the otherwise clean privacy profile.
AI-assisted analysis of the documented signals above (permissions, store data, privacy practices) — explains what they mean and the risks typical for this category. Not a hands-on test.
What the store listing shows
Who's Behind Smooth Search Tab?
- Publisher Adsbrain
Public records identify the publisher, but no individual founders or a separate registered company are named — which is what holds the Publisher & Identity score back. Less public information about who operates an extension means less you can verify about their long-term accountability.
How it compares
Among the 838 browser extensions we track, Smooth Search Tab scores higher on safety than 71% of them.
Computed from our own database of assessed browser extensions — updated as we track more.
Evidence on File (12)
Smooth Search Tab FAQ
- Is Smooth Search Tab safe?
- Smooth Search Tab earns a safety grade of A (82.4/100) on our evidence-based assessment, based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions we could verify from public records. This is an automated profile built from public records, not a hands-on review.
- Who is behind Smooth Search Tab?
- Smooth Search Tab is operated by Adsbrain.
Browse all browser extensions we've checked →