So when Google's Panda update killed tons of user-generated-content sites like Mahalo, eHow, HubPages, etc., and greatly improved YouTube's (which is 99% garbage) rankings, that was pure co-incidence?
What about when Google rolled out universal search only after buying YouTube?
Search is rank and display. Products is 100% bought and that you had to "disclose". I say "disclose" because it's not apparent, unless searches click on a link, that's how ethical you are.
What else is bought and paid for behind the scenes? Why should we trust you?
I do not know why you were down-voted, perhaps for not fully forming an argument and making a tongue-in-cheek comment as an immediate response to the arrogant statement Google unnecessarily included in the description of how search works(yes, the same statement stood out to me, as out of place and arrogant, but not necessarily untrue).
As to your point, yes, Google does utilize its power, leverage, dominance to favor itself and its own products - and don't feel to bad others are demanding you show your proof - how quick they are to forget (and apparently Google's own employees who replied to your comment forgot also) that the FTC spent the last year investigating Google's behavior on this front - some of those charges into Google's behavior include using its knowledge of search and advertising to determine the most profitable online businesses, entering the space with their own product to compete directly or just drive up the price of the advertising terms (sometime 1000%). So imagine you were buying key word "y" for "$x"/click - Google comes along and competes, now their product is at the top of the organic results and you will need to pay (1000 x "$X") for the same advertising - oh by the way when they pays (1000 x "$x") for the same ad space that money just goes back to its own pocket.
So do not feel to bad - the FTC spent millions investigating Google to find said evidence and ultimately allowed Google to settle for $22.5 million, Google allowing others to use the Motorola patents is acquired, and changing their AdWords API. And keeping with their motto: "Don't be evil" it appears in the last 24 hours media has gone wild alleging Google spent $25,000 to honor the FTC Director during the investigation - I know when I am being investigated for federal anti-trust allegations I too like to honor the investigator, and like Google I do not give the investigator the money directly, I give it to a 3rd party who in turn gives it to the investigators office, this allows the investigator time to close the case before allegations are made and when allegations are eventually made it allows the investigator the opportunity to say at the time it was unknown who "donated" money for the honorarium.
"Says... you, right? Based on which examples of Google pursuing quarterly profits at the expense of users?"
Duh! Google local was a joke compared to better pages from Yelp. Google+ even worst. Pages are now filled with ads, because Google discovered that ads yield better results (how convenient!) Need I go on?
It seems you're making an argument of the form "it's too difficult to collect real evidence. In fact, here's an example of a way to collect real evidence that is ridiculously difficult. Since we cannot collect real evidence, we need not use it to make arguments."
Just because it's difficult doesn't mean you can jump to conclusions based on speculation.
Well, with the certainty you speak of this with, yes. Oh also, I'm being facetious because I work there and I'm interested in this secret pile of evidence you have. All things being fair, I won't deny that you've seen the things you've seen, it's just that you might be attributing them to the wrong places. Hence, the need for actual evidence.
I am certain and so is everyone with an open mind. Look at results pages and it's clear why all the Google pages and ever-growing number of ads were inserted, MONEY! Mo money for the always greedy Google.
There's a slight oversight, it should be: "We write programs & formulas to deliver the most profitable results possible for this quarter"