Probably uninformed opinion given I haven’t worked at either, but I suspect you’re right.

Microsoft seems to be a lot more grounded in the dollars and cents of running a business. I doubt a few squeaky wheels distract them.

Google seems to still attract many idealists who feel they’re creating a better world (ironically, through advertising). They seem to operate with a flatter management structure that gives engineers freeer reign.

Also, the nature of the projects seem to be fundamentally different.