But google ended up shutting down that app after running it for about 3/4 years
Part of the problem with being a public company is that your sole incentive is forever increasing revenue and profits. That very often means lopping off things that don't look great on the sheets - especially if the cull makes the business as a whole more profitable.
Keep in mind that you are not the customer. You are their audience. Their advertisers and shareholders are who they are accountable to.
That's why you don't have to pay for the service, and also why it's nearly impossible for you to negotiate with them if they delete your account. If you were their customer, you'd have a say. But you're just part of a large interactive audience in their business model.