Comment by keeda

That is also the thesis of this piece: https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-men-who-killed-google/

It is plausible, but I'd guess Google would not risk that. I'm sure Google has pulled other shenanigans to get more clicks, like stuffing more and more ads, and making ads look like results (something even I personally have fallen for once), but I think they're too smart to mess with their sacred cash cow.