Currently, the top sites appear above the search bar on the homepage. I’d like the option to move them below the search bar for better layout preference. This would improve usability for users who prefer search-first layout.
I would really love to have this as customization option, this is the only thing that is stopping me to completely migrate from Chrome browser to Brave.
I’ve opened a GitHub issue for this with a proposed implementation plan. If you feel the same way, please give it a thumbs up so the team can see the demand -
opened 08:17AM - 21 Mar 26 UTC
## Description
On Brave's New Tab Page, the search box is positioned **below** … the Top Sites (shortcuts/favourites) grid. This is the opposite of Chrome's layout, where the search box sits above the shortcuts — prioritizing the search-first interaction pattern.
I'd like to propose adding a user preference to **swap the positions of the search box and top sites**, so users who prefer a search-first workflow can place the search box above the shortcuts grid.
## Why this matters
**The search-first principle:**
The most common action when opening a new tab is typing a search query or URL. Eye-tracking studies and interaction design research consistently show that placing the primary action target higher on the page reduces time-to-interaction and cognitive load.
- **Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari** all position the search/URL input above any shortcut tiles on their new tab pages — this is an established UX convention.
- Brave's current layout breaks this convention by placing shortcuts first, which means users who are search-oriented must visually skip past the shortcuts grid every time they open a new tab.
- For users who rely on keyboard-first workflows, the search box being lower on the page also means more visual scanning before landing on the input — even though focus may already be in the address bar, many users prefer the NTP search box for its visual prominence and contextual feel.
**Accessibility & ergonomics:**
- A higher search box position aligns with [Fitts's Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitts%27s_law) — the target is closer to the user's natural gaze point when a new tab opens.
- Users coming from Chrome (Brave's largest migration source) expect the search box above shortcuts. Matching this convention reduces friction during the switch to Brave.
**Personal perspective:**
I'm a long-time Chrome power user and have been wanting to migrate to Brave fully as my default browser. This NTP layout difference — shortcuts above search — is the one friction point that has kept me from making the switch 100%. It may seem small, but for someone who opens dozens of new tabs daily with a search-first habit, it's a constant paper cut. I suspect many Chrome migrants feel the same way. Giving users the option to match Chrome's layout would remove a real barrier to full adoption.
## Current behavior
| Browser | Layout order (top → bottom) |
|---------|----------------------------|
| **Chrome** | Search box → Shortcuts |
| **Firefox** | Search box → Shortcuts |
| **Edge** | Search box → Shortcuts |
| **Brave** | Shortcuts → Search box |
## Proposed solution
Add a boolean preference (e.g., `brave.new_tab_page.search_box_above_top_sites`) that allows users to choose the position of the search box relative to top sites when **both** are enabled.
- **Default:** `false` (preserves current Brave behavior — no breaking change)
- **Toggle location:** NTP Settings panel, under the existing "Search" settings section
- **Scope:** Only applies to the NTP Refresh implementation (`browser/resources/brave_new_tab_page_refresh/`)
### Implementation outline
1. Define the pref constant and register it in `brave_profile_prefs.cc`
2. Wire it through `brave_new_tab_message_handler.cc` (`GetPreferencesDictionary` / `HandleSaveNewTabPagePref`)
3. In `app.tsx`, conditionally render `<Search />` before `<TopSites />` based on the pref
4. Add a toggle in the NTP settings panel
I'm happy to implement this and submit a PR if the team is open to the idea.
Happy to work on a PR if the team greenlights it!