I agree. In discussions with current and former Googlers, I've come to the conclusion that Sundar's directive is to extract as much revenue as possible out of ads in order to maximize the runway for the things they actually care about, including the "Other Bets" that are currently losing lots of money. If that means sacrificing Google's long-term goodwill that's fine, because 20 years from now Google isn't expected to exist in its current form.

If on the other hand, you believe the party line (which is the view that folks I know who are still at Google will share with you) then Google has never been stronger, and is crushing it on all fronts.

Apparently we know different folks :p