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Brave's 86 million users: why are ads missing?

Brave's 86 Million Users | Ads Are Missing, Concerns Grow

By

Elena Kovaleva

Jun 7, 2025, 06:41 PM

Edited By

Nina Soboleva

Updated

Jun 9, 2025, 06:41 AM

2 minutes to read

Screenshot of Brave browser showing a clean interface with no advertisements visible. The focus is on the tabs and menus available to users.
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A growing coalition of people is increasingly frustrated with the lack of ads on Brave, which has a massive 86 million monthly users. Despite this impressive figure, many are questioning the platform's ability to attract diverse advertisers.

Key Issues Driving User Frustration

Brave's ad strategy has come under scrutiny as users voice their dissatisfaction with key factors that limit ad exposure.

Limited Choices for Users

  • Only 1% of Brave's users engage with ads due to strict country limitations and low payout rates. Many have also turned off ads to avoid problems like token theft when not using a Gemini or Uphold account.

  • "People have learnt to switch ads off unless companies start throwing some money," one noted.

  • There's also concern over the minimum spend for self-serve campaigns, reported at "$1,000 per campaign, which is a hefty sum for smaller businesses."

Complications with Reward System

  • Users are confused by how to earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) and have grown weary of payout issues, leading to a decline in ad trust.

  • "I haven’t been getting my payouts like I used to… I’m almost ready to leave it alone completely," voiced one frustrated participant.

Fewer Ads, Declining Advertising Variety

  • A sense of disappointment looms as many believe that Brave is transitioning away from traditional ads to gimmicks like β€œQuests” and crypto schemes instead of focusing on genuine advertising partnerships.

  • β€œThey’re phasing ads out, plain and simple. Fewer ads, fewer rewards,” a user lamented, highlighting a notable shift in the platform's strategy.

The Future of Advertising on Brave

The question remains: How can Brave attract a wider array of advertisers? While current trends suggest stagnation, users believe that improving the payout structure could revitalize ad engagement.

Key Takeaways

  • β—‡ 86 million monthly users, but just 1% opt-in for ads.

  • β–½ User frustration mounts over limited campaigns and payout clarity.

  • ⚠️ Transparency in the payout process may drive greater trust and engagement.

  • β€œThey only show ads seen and you have to take Brave’s word that you’re getting compensated fairly,” pointed out one source, underlining issues in rewards transparency.

Looking Ahead for Brave's Ad Space

Experts speculate that if Brave revamps its ad framework, they might see around 30% of their current user base engaging with ads again. Fixing problems related to token theft and payout delays could spark renewed interest from both advertisers and users, enhancing revenue and solidifying Brave’s market position.

A Cautionary Tale Worth Noting

Much like the uncertain start for gig economy platforms, Brave's journey could mirror that trajectory. Initially, platforms in the gig space struggled with trust, yet as they addressed payout issues, user engagement grew. By simplifying its ad interface, Brave may flip user sentiment from disappointment to enthusiasm.