google maps is another example, it used to give me great paths but these days I feel that it is trying to kill me somewhat. I've switched to OSMAND which is a FOSS map app built over open street maps, and it is amazing how much better it is in terms of navigation. Search has a little left to be desired, but it thrashes google in actual navigation. It feels a lot more like what google maps was as opposed to what it has become. Voice recognition has become way less reliable as well.
I think you might be right about the experimentation though, because now google maps often gives me a "why didn't you do as I told you, was the path you ended up taking better?" style questionnaires afterwards.