Introduction
Brave is a privacy-focused web browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. One of the customizable features in Brave is the default search engine, which determines where your queries are sent when you type into the address bar. Whether you prefer Google, DuckDuckGo, Bing or a custom search provider, Brave makes it easy to switch. This article walks you through each step, from opening the settings to adding custom search engines and troubleshooting common issues.
Accessing Brave Settings
Step 1: Open the Brave Menu
Begin by launching Brave on your computer. In the upper-right corner of the window, locate the
Step 2: Navigate to Settings
From the menu, select
Changing the Default Search Engine
Step 3: Locate the Search Engine Section
In the Settings tab, look at the left-hand sidebar and click
Step 4: Select a Predefined Engine
- Click the dropdown menu under
Search engine used in the address bar . - Choose from the list of available options (e.g., Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo).
- The change is immediate there is no need to save or restart.
Table: Common Search Engine URLs
Search Engine | Query URL Template | Notes |
---|---|---|
https://www.google.com/searchq=%s | Default for most users | |
DuckDuckGo | https://duckduckgo.com/q=%s | Privacy-focused |
Bing | https://www.bing.com/searchq=%s | Microsoft’s search engine |
Yahoo | https://search.yahoo.com/searchp=%s | Alternative option |
Adding a Custom Search Engine
Step 5: Click “Manage search engines and site search”
Under the
Step 6: Add a New Engine
- Scroll down to the
Sites searched with this site search orOther search engines section. - Click the
Add button. - In the dialog, enter:
Search engine : A descriptive name (e.g., “Startpage”).Keyword : A short alias to trigger the engine (e.g., “sp”).URL : The search URL with%s where the query will be inserted (e.g., https://www.startpage.com/sp/searchq=%s).
- Click
Add to save your custom engine.
Step 7: Set Your Custom Engine as Default
- Return to the
Search engine used in the address bar dropdown. - Select the name of the custom engine you just added.
Managing Existing Search Engines
Brave allows you to view all configured engines and reorder or delete them.
- Go to
Manage search engines and site search . - Hover over any engine entry to reveal
three dots on the right. - Click the dots to
Edit orRemove the engine. - Drag and drop entries to reorder the list the first entry becomes the default if you haven’t selected another.
Troubleshooting
Changes Not Taking Effect
If your new default search engine does not work:
- Restart the browser to ensure settings refresh.
- Clear the cache via
Settings gt Privacy amp security gt Clear browsing data . - Verify the URL template uses
%s exactly once.
Missing Search Engine Option
If a popular engine is not listed:
- Manually add it using the custom engine steps above.
- Ensure Brave is up to date by going to
Settings gt About Brave . - Consider reinstalling if the option still does not appear.
Conclusion
Changing the default search engine in Brave takes only a few clicks and can greatly enhance your browsing experience by aligning with your privacy and convenience preferences. Whether you stick with a well-known search provider or add a specialized one, Brave’s flexible settings make customization straightforward. For more tips on privacy and performance, visit Brave’s official support page here.
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