I disagree about the ordering (i.e. for me, for certain queries, it was objectively better first, before the other criteria played a part).

However, you're saying that the only thing (or the best thing) that will make the world better is better quality results. This is wrong. Playing the long game by supporting such search engines means that quality can improve and you end up with both better quality search engines AND morally improved companies. The whole world will be better because of it. You're thinking too short term.