Brave is a privacy focused, user-first browser. It delivers a fast and less data intensive web browsing experience while blocking cookies, trackers, and ads (including on YouTube). It also provides the tools a user needs for Web3, such as a built-in crypto wallet, IPFS support, a crypto rewards system, and more.

Whether you are new to Brave or a veteran, here's some tips for making the most out of Brave:     Underlined items are discussed further in the article.

• !Bang commands - QOL feature and pairs well with Brave Search.
• Backgrounds are customizable.
• Dark mode is an option.
• If some ads slip through, then changing to a stricter Brave Shields setting will likely solve it.
• A website that isn't working may be resolved by putting shields down.
• On mobile, there is a settings to allow background video playback (aka when you switch to another app or turn the screen off).
• News feed is fully customizable.
• 1st party ads on social media sites can also be blocked by turning on a settings option.
• The rewards program is optional, but allows you to earn crypto (BAT) by seeing privacy preserving, non-intrusive ads served by Brave. In the process you can support Brave and help creators. The last two are even true for those in regions lacking custodial support. 
• You can customize your rewards experience - Ad frequency & when they show up.
• If rewards and crypto aren't your thing, then you can opt out and remove most of it from the browser.
• Brave ads not appearing...Make sure your browser is up to date. Microsoft focus assist can also prevent ads from appearing... so check its settings. 
• The Brave Creators program allows you to receive tips from other Brave users.

Let's dive deeper into some of these:

!Bang Commands

When using Brave Search as your default search engine, !bang commands can be used to quickly query places of interest.
For instance, typing "!e Lego Star Wars" and pressing enter will return eBay search results for Lego Star Wars. Searching !gm with an address will search the address in Google Maps. I show an example of this further below.

It is a fast, QOL feature to get the results you need. Give it a try. You can find more info on !bang commands on Brave's Support website. Below is their list of commands:

Background Customization

Adding a custom background to your new tabs is a great way to personalize your browsing experience. It's also easy to do. Just open a new tab and in the bottom right corner there is a button called Customize. Click it. In the pop up, click on "Use your Own." From there you can upload a background image of your choice. 

Dark Mode

Many users enjoy browsing the web and running applications in dark mode. In dark mode, most backgrounds that are normally white will be black with text shown in a white font. Some people feel this makes websites easier and more comfortable to read.
Turning dark mode on is easy in both the desktop and mobile versions of Brave. Simply go to settings, then click on appearance. At the top you will find the Brave color options. On Windows the choices will be light, dark, and "Same as Windows." Select the choice that best matches your visual preferences. See reference photos below.

Stricter Shields to Eliminate Ad Slip Through

Occasionally a pesky ad will slip through Brave's default shield settings. If you desire to block it, then Brave Shield settings is an easy first step to try. Setting shields to their strictest settings will often result in full blocking. To enable stricter settings: Click on the Brave logo to the right of the URL bar. Click where it says "Block trackers" & ads, then select "Aggressively block trackers & ads."

Note: The most aggressive setting could make a few websites have more difficulty working with Brave Shields. Thus, it may be best to leave it on the default settings for general usage and only increase it to higher levels when you feel the need OR to put it back on normal settings if you start experiencing any issues.

Troubleshooting Problematic Webpages

Occasionally, a website may not fully work with Brave. The site may work if you click on the Brave logo to the right of the URL bar and then change "Shields are UP" to being down. Reference the above picture. Note: this may reduce Brave's privacy protections while on the website.

This will also result in you being presented with the option of reporting the website as not working properly with Brave Shields. By reporting the website, you can help Brave to improve its shields compatibility across websites. Thus, assisting in improving the overall user experience of Brave users.

Allow Background Video Playback on Mobile

With this feature turned on, you will no longer lose audio from a website, when you change apps or turn off your screen. This also allows you to listen to content without having to have your screen on, which will extend the length of your battery charge.

This is a great feature for people listening to music videos, talk shows, etcetera where the audio is important, but the video isn't always essential. I sometimes use it at the gym and I know people who use it in their car.

To enable this feature, click the three vertical dots at the bottom right of your screen. Then click settings. From there, scroll down and switch "Background video playback" to on. See the steps below:

Get Involved, Stay Connected:

For more on everything BAT, join the BAT Brigade and consider joining our weekly Community events:

• Community Calls with Luke Mulks (VP of Business Ops at Brave) every Tuesday at 5 pm ET via Brave Talk.
• Twitter Spaces most Fridays at 1 pm ET hosted by the BAT Community Twitter account.
• BAT Brigade Weekly Trivia each Friday at 12:00 pm ET. The event occurs in the Event section of the BAT Brigade Discord server. Participants can win sBAT for correctly answering question. There is also generally some BAT given out to community members just for participating.

Consider following Bauzz on Twitter for more on everything Brave and BAT, including memes.