In a digital age dominated by data-collecting giants, Brave Search entered the scene in 2021 with one clear goal: to prioritize user privacy over profits. Developed by the same team that brought us the privacy-focused Brave browser, Brave Search is the brainchild of Brendan Eich—an iconic figure in tech known for co-founding Mozilla and inventing JavaScript. But what makes Brave Search stand out in a crowded market, and why should privacy-conscious users take note?
To truly understand Brave Search, you have to know Brendan Eich. Known for creating JavaScript—one of the most widely used programming languages in the world—Eich is no stranger to innovation. His experience at Mozilla, where he championed privacy-first web development, laid the groundwork for Brave’s ethos.
Eich's focus has always been on empowering users and preserving the open web. With Brave Search, he’s taken that vision further, offering a search engine that values privacy, transparency, and user control above all else.
Brave Software, the company behind Brave Search, was founded in 2015 by Brendan Eich and Brian Bondy, both of whom were former Mozilla executives. Brendan Eich is particularly famous for creating JavaScript, a programming language that transformed web development. Before Brave, Eich was integral in developing Mozilla Firefox, a browser focused on user choice and privacy.
Eich took the experience he gained at Mozilla and decided to go further by tackling a new challenge: search engines. He saw the need for a search platform that wasn't built on user tracking, ad personalization, or data sharing. The result? Brave Search.
Unlike most search engines that rely heavily on data collection and tracking, Brave Search operates with an independent index, meaning it doesn’t pull results from Google or Bing like many smaller search engines do. Here's why that matters:
In addition to its independent index, Brave Search offers two user experiences: an ad-supported free version and an ad-free paid option. For users who want a completely distraction-free and privacy-focused experience, the premium version offers a solid alternative to ad-driven platforms.
What truly sets Brave Search apart is its independence from major search providers. Many privacy-conscious search engines, like DuckDuckGo, still pull results from giants like Google or Bing. Brave Search, on the other hand, runs on its own technology. This independence allows Brave to remain transparent and accountable to its users.
You might wonder—how does Brave ensure transparency in search results? By providing detailed transparency reports, Brave allows users to see how their search results are generated. This ensures that no results are influenced by third-party advertising or hidden algorithms.
Since its launch, Brave Search has steadily gained a following. As of 2023, Brave reported over 70 million monthly active users across its ecosystem, including both the Brave browser and Brave Search. While that number may still pale in comparison to Google's billions, it’s clear that Brave is carving out a niche, especially among users tired of being tracked.
Brave's user base continues to grow, benefiting from the increasing interest in privacy tools. It's no coincidence that Brave Search is gaining traction at a time when data scandals and privacy breaches are making headlines. More users are looking for alternatives, and Brave is there to meet their needs.
Brave Search is just one part of Brave Software’s broader mission to give users more control over their digital experience. Along with Brave Search, the company offers:
By integrating Brave Search into the Brave ecosystem, users can enjoy a seamless, privacy-first browsing and searching experience.
It’s no secret that Brave Search faces stiff competition. Google and Bing dominate the search market, and even privacy-focused alternatives like DuckDuckGo have a much larger user base. But Brave’s strategy isn’t to beat these giants overnight. Instead, it aims to steadily grow its user base by offering a unique value proposition: true privacy.
Brave's continued growth will depend on its ability to maintain and scale its independent search index, as well as further integrations with the Brave browser and other privacy tools. And with the rising demand for privacy-focused technologies, Brave is well-positioned to ride this wave.
Brave Search is more than just a search engine—it’s a response to Big Tech’s dominance and a declaration that privacy matters. With its independent index, transparent results, and ad-free option, Brave offers something truly different. For users looking to take back control of their digital footprint, Brave Search is a step in the right direction.
So, should you make the switch? If you're concerned about privacy, tired of personalized ads, or simply curious about an alternative to Google, Brave Search is worth a try. With Brendan Eich’s vision driving it forward, Brave Search could very well be the future of search.
Here’s another iconic name to explore if you’re delving into the history of search engines: Ecosia: The Search Engine That's Saving the Planet, One Tree at a Time