- name
- private-search
- description
- Route OpenClaw web searches through privacy-respecting engines (Brave Search, Kagi, SearXNG) instead of Google or Bing. Eliminates ad-network tracking from your AI agent's research. Configurable engine, result count, and tracking-param stripping.
- homepage
- https://clawhub.ai/skills/private-search
- metadata
- {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🔍","requires":{"env":["BRAVE_API_KEY"]},"primaryEnv":"BRAVE_API_KEY","optionalEnv":["KAGI_API_KEY","SEARXNG_URL"]}}
- version
- 1.0.0
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.shReferences
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.*