They’ve started inserting a subtle ad as the first result instead of the actual app you’re searching for.
This has to have been a change over the last month or two I feel like?
I’m having to reprogram myself to view the first result as irrelevant. Really makes me want to increase the F-Droid alternatives that I use.
Did I stutter?
I think you you have a much more limited perspective that doesn’t hold Google as accountable as many people. Here’s a snippet from an article breaking down the subtleties of the adjustments Google makes re: dark patterns:
https://uxdesign.cc/fixing-dark-patterns-making-google-search-ads-visible-again-47aecfb5d2ca