Kagi Reacts to Backlash
I don't have a source but this is based on my membership in the Kagi Discord server. Kagi search has decided to allow people to opt out of Brave results being included in the results and may asking Brave for free API access so that they aren't being supported. I'm still unsure about whether I'll resubscribe to Kagi. I might give Startpage a run for a bit.
I don't want to have to opt out
If the value proposition for users is so great, then make it opt-in!
The fact that they're not willing to go this far tells you everything you need to know: that it's user hostile.
I'm pretty sure it would require some major rewriting to make it opt-in. Plus they probably want the better experience for the majority of people who don't care. I wouldn't be so quick to draw conclusions
What rewrite would it take? If I can opt out it's optional. All they have to do is change the default.
They already said that the Brave API is cheaper for them. That's the motive. They keep charging the same but pay less.
That's one way to maliciously twist their words.
Giving customers more control? Great.
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From my experience? They're not. Results and UI are so much worse. Aside from significantly better results, the little things like keyboard shortcuts, ddg bangs + custom bangs, lowering or raising sites in results, etc.
Kagi is pretty transparent in their publicly-readable feedback site. This is the thread that kicked off the conversation. Warning: it's a shitshow. https://kagifeedback.org/d/2808-reconsider-your-partnership-with-brave
Vlad is the founder of Kagi so you might want to focus on his replies.
There is further discussion in the Discord, which is not publicly-readable. I believe the "if we got Brave access for free" question was simply to get to the heart of users' complaints — whether they are purely financial or something deeper.
There was backlash? da faq
Brave honestly gets way too much hate tbh. I don't use it, but like they are tame compared to most tech companies, including google and micrsoft, both of which kagi also sources from. Makes no sense
Brave pushed affiliate links to users without consent. They’ve even more recently been installing VPN software without user permission.
For a “user, privacy-focused browser” they’re really missing the point.
still tame compared to google and micrsoft
And yet that’s barely an accomplishment.
Just because stepping in a pile of shit is worse than stepping in a puddle doesn’t mean I should aim for every puddle I come across.
What I'm saying is you're already stepping in two piles of shit to cross the street, why when there's an extra puddle do you suddenly balk