How to Disable Search Suggestions Completely in the Brave Browser

The Brave browser is known for its privacy-focused features, but sometimes, default settings can still lead to unexpected behavior. One such issue is the appearance of search suggestions even after disabling related settings. This article delves into how to completely turn off search suggestions in the Brave browser, ensuring a cleaner and more private browsing experience.

Understanding the Issue

Many users prefer not to see search suggestions when typing in the address bar, whether for privacy reasons or simply to avoid distractions. In Brave, even after deactivating all toggles under brave://settings/search, suggestions might still appear. This is often due to the "on-device suggestions model" introduced in later versions of Brave.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Search Suggestions

Here’s a detailed guide to ensure all search suggestions are turned off in your Brave browser:

1. Access Brave's Search Settings:

   • Open a new tab in Brave.
   • Type brave://settings/search into the address bar and press Enter.

2. Disable Basic Search Suggestions:

   • Within the search settings, you'll find several options related to search suggestions.
   • Make sure to deactivate all toggles, including those that mention showing search and site suggestions.

3. Check Additional Privacy Settings:

• Navigate to brave://settings/privacy.
• Disable "Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar." This setting can sometimes override other preferences.

4. Clear Browsing Data:

   • Go to brave://settings/clearBrowserData.
   • Select "All time" in the time range.
   • Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files."
   • Click "Clear data."

5. Restart Brave:

   • Close all Brave browser windows.
   • Reopen Brave to apply the changes.

Why Are Search Suggestions Appearing Despite Disabling Settings?

Brave, like other modern browsers, uses various methods to provide search suggestions. One reason you might still see suggestions is the "on-device suggestions model." This feature uses a local model to provide suggestions, which can override your general search settings. The steps above ensure that this local model, along with other potential sources of suggestions, is disabled.

Alternative Browsers and Privacy Considerations

If you're still encountering issues or are deeply concerned about privacy, consider exploring alternative browsers known for their robust privacy features. For example, DuckDuckGo is a popular choice that doesn't track your searches or browsing activity.

Conclusion

Turning off search suggestions completely in Brave requires a thorough approach. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a cleaner, more private browsing experience. Always keep your browser updated to benefit from the latest privacy features and bug fixes.