THIS. I know many creators who have quit because they are simply not getting the ROI for the level of effort they put in before. Call it what you want, or put the blame on them, but at a certain point a vast majority of people saying "we aren't making any money anymore" can't all be wrong.

I wouldn't trust Google or Sundar in the slightest to the what is the best interest of users. They can only be counted on doing what is best for them first, shareholders second. Users are seen as a gadfly that must be managed, like employees.