Private Search for OpenClaw
Route all web searches through privacy-respecting engines. No ads. No tracking. No query monetization.
Why This Exists
OpenAI now shows ads to ChatGPT users and routes queries through ad-network-partnered search APIs. OpenClaw defaults to Google/Bing-backed search — both of which monetize your queries. This skill replaces that with:
- Brave Search — independent index, no ad tracking, free tier available
- Kagi — premium ad-free search, best result quality
- SearXNG — fully self-hosted, zero third-party dependency
Quick Setup (Brave Search — Recommended)
- Get a free Brave Search API key: https://api.search.brave.com/
- Set env var:
BRAVE_API_KEY=your_key_here - Done. All agent web searches now route through Brave.
Configuration
Set any of these in your OpenClaw environment:
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
BRAVE_API_KEY |
Brave Search API key | Required for Brave |
KAGI_API_KEY |
Kagi API key | Optional |
SEARXNG_URL |
Self-hosted SearXNG URL | Optional |
PRIVATE_SEARCH_ENGINE |
brave, kagi, or searxng |
brave |
PRIVATE_SEARCH_RESULTS |
Number of results to return | 5 |
PRIVATE_SEARCH_STRIP_TRACKING |
Strip UTM/tracking params from URLs | true |
Usage
Once configured, use web search naturally. This skill overrides the default search behavior:
Search for the latest OpenAI news
Find me pricing for Hetzner VPS plans
What are the top AI tools this week?
All queries route through your chosen private engine.
Engine Comparison
| Engine | Cost | Privacy | Index Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brave | Free tier (2,000/mo) / $3/mo for 20K | High | Good | Most users |
| Kagi | $10–$25/mo | Highest | Excellent | Power users |
| SearXNG | Self-hosted (free) | Maximum | Varies | Devs/privacy maximalists |
How It Works
This skill provides a private_web_search tool that:
- Accepts a query string and optional parameters
- Routes to your configured engine via API
- Strips tracking parameters from all result URLs (UTM, fbclid, gclid, etc.)
- Returns clean, structured results
- Never logs queries to third-party ad networks
Scripts
Run the setup script for guided configuration:
bash scripts/setup-brave-search.sh
References
See references/privacy-engines.md for full engine documentation, pricing tiers, and self-hosting instructions for SearXNG.
Privacy Guarantee
This skill never sends your queries to Google, Bing, or any ad-network-affiliated search provider when properly configured. Your research stays private.
Published on ClawHub. Built in response to OpenAI's March 2026 ad rollout.