# Switch to Brave Browser Reason #13: Limit the data ad networks collect about sensitive searches

Search-related pages and the sites reached through them can include advertising technology.

2026-08-27
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Switchboard Tech Services


![Switch to Brave Browser Reason #13: Limit the data ad networks collect about sensitive searches](https://switchboardtechservices.com/static/images/defaults/guides.webp)

## Why this matters

Search-related pages and the sites reached through them can include advertising technology. A sensitive query should not casually become an ad profile. Privacy is easier to defend before this information is collected than after it has spread.

## The protection

Brave blocks many third-party trackers on visited pages; Brave Search is an optional search engine that says it does not profile users.

## Take action

Set Brave Search if that fits your needs and keep Shields on for result pages. Your chosen search provider and destination still matter. Brave reduces common tracking, but a site you sign in to still knows what you do there. Ordinary browsing also reveals your IP address to the destination.

## Sources

[Brave Browser features](https://brave.com/features/), [Brave Shields](https://brave.com/shields/).

- Categories:
  [Brave Browser](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/categories/brave-browser/)
- Tags:
  [#privacy](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/privacy/), [#Brave Browser](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/brave-browser/), [#Digital Self-Defense](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/digital-self-defense/), [#Search](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/search/)

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Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/switch-to-brave-browser-reason-13/

Language: en-us

Content type: guide

Author: Switchboard Tech Services

Published: 2026-08-28T04:49:55+00:00

Description: Why limit the data ad networks collect about sensitive searches matters for privacy and security.