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.