Hold on. I had given up on Google almost 10 years ago, and I thought that the AI garbage on DDG was the new norm on the web. At least Google doesn't fare any better. You make it sound like there's another option?
Partly, i find it reassuring to pay for the service with money. That was how we used to do things back in my day.
Localisation is moderate for shopping - i have to sift through US results. I'll occasionally use Google product search when i'm metaphorically groping for my wedding ring in the toilet.
It's not as good as Google used to be, but then, the web isn't a good as the web used to be.