[freshpretzels]

> To me, it seems that returning to the concept that search results should at least reflect a broad consensus of what is true is a necessary first step for Google. As part of that, learning to flag obvious trolling, clickbait and bad-faith content is paramount.

Who will decide what is obvious trolling and bad-faith content and how will they decide it? The problem they have is that search is only useful if it gives users what they are looking for. Their business model though is predicated on finding a way to introduce ads into the mix, and if they are also then trying to become arbiters of what truth people find and see, then all the conflicting goals will create a series of contradictory requirements. The search tools that usefully find what the user is looking for, with helpful suggestions, will win. Once users find that their experience is curated and that they are coerced by unelected arbiters and censors they will not trust the platform in question and someone else will get that market share.