Brave, the privacy-focused browser that blocks third-party ads and trackers by default, is switching to using its own search engine by default, the company has announced. The change will be applied for new users, and will affect which search engine is used via the browser’s address bar. Brave Search will replace Google in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, Qwant in France, and DuckDuckGo in Germany. More countries will be switched over in the coming months.
It’s a significant step for Brave’s fledgling search engine, which launched in public beta earlier this year, since most people just take what they’re given. The search engine set as the browser default is a valuable promotion tactic, and so important that the practice has become a significant focus of antitrust scrutiny. In Europe, Google now offers a choice of search engines for Android users after it was fined $5 billion by EU regulators for, among other things, illegally tying Google search to Android. Over the years, Google has also paid companies like Apple and Firefox to be the default search engine in their browsers.
“As we know from experience in many browsers, the default setting is crucial for adoption”
“As we know from experience in many browsers, the default setting is crucial for adoption, and Brave Search has reached the quality and critical mass needed to become our default search option, and to offer our users a seamless privacy-by-default online experience,” Brave’s co-founder and CEO Brendan Eich said in a statement. He added that its search engine now handles“nearly 80 million queries per month.”
Although the switch will boost Brave Search’s prominence with Brave users, the browser’s marketshare is so small that it doesn’t even register against established competitors like Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Opera, according to data from StatCounter. Nevertheless, as of September 2021, Brave claims that its browser had almost 40 million monthly active users.
As well as boosting the prominence of Brave’s search engine, the move is a sign of its confidence in the new privacy-focused service. Brave Search is notable for being built on Brave’s own independent index of the web, whereas many competitors rely on a mix of results from larger indexes like Microsoft’s Bing (although Brave has said it will pull in results from other providers where it can’t produce enough of its own). The company says its search engine does not track “users, their searches, or their clicks.”
Alongside the change in default search engine, Brave is also launching a new opt-in system for users to contribute their data and help improve its search results. Brave claims its Web Discovery Project collects search and browsing data in a way that can’t be linked to individual users, and that cannot be sold to advertisers or handed over to the authorities.
Brave Search is currently free to use and does not show any ads, but the company says that it plans to roll out ads in its free version in the future, as well as launch an ad-free premium service.
As an expert in web browsers, privacy-focused technologies, and search engines, I've closely followed the developments in the field and have a deep understanding of the technologies and strategies employed by various companies. My knowledge extends to the intricacies of default settings, user adoption, and the significance of privacy in the context of internet browsing.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article about Brave's transition to its own search engine:
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Brave Browser and Privacy Focus:
- Brave is a web browser known for its emphasis on user privacy. It defaults to blocking third-party ads and trackers, providing users with a more secure and private online experience.
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Brave Search Engine Introduction:
- Brave has introduced its own search engine, Brave Search, as an alternative to mainstream search engines like Google, Qwant, and DuckDuckGo.
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Default Search Engine Switch:
- Brave Browser is changing its default search engine to Brave Search for new users. This change impacts the search engine used through the browser's address bar.
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Geographical Impact:
- The switch to Brave Search will affect users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada (replacing Google), France (replacing Qwant), and Germany (replacing DuckDuckGo). More countries are expected to transition in the coming months.
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Market Share and Antitrust Scrutiny:
- The article mentions that although Brave's market share is relatively small compared to major browsers like Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Opera, the choice of default search engine is a critical factor for user adoption. This has become a focal point for antitrust scrutiny, with Google facing fines for its practices in Europe.
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Browsing Data and Web Discovery Project:
- Brave emphasizes its commitment to user privacy by stating that its search engine does not track users, their searches, or clicks. Additionally, the company introduces the Web Discovery Project, allowing users to opt in and contribute data to enhance search results without compromising individual privacy.
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Brave's Confidence in its Search Engine:
- The article notes that the switch to Brave Search is a sign of the company's confidence in the quality and critical mass achieved by its privacy-focused search engine.
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Future Plans for Ads and Premium Service:
- While Brave Search is currently ad-free and free to use, the company plans to introduce ads in the free version in the future. It also intends to launch a premium, ad-free service.
In summary, Brave's decision to integrate its own search engine reflects its commitment to providing a private-by-default online experience, and the article highlights the strategic and privacy-focused aspects of this move within the context of the browser market.
