It surprises me too. Perhaps they are snow blind from having had something like it in the past and then removing it.
But in the modern era, I feel that being able to use human signals like that - on top of the fancy algorithms - could well be a killer network effect for them.
The SEO dreck drives more ad impressions than real content. Why would they improve the results when they have a captive audience who won't switch to other search providers.
But in the modern era, I feel that being able to use human signals like that - on top of the fancy algorithms - could well be a killer network effect for them.