Has Google become too difficult for small publishers?

Is it just me, or is Google becoming much harder for independent blogs?

You can write a great article, get it indexed, and still struggle to get clicks. AI Overviews answer questions before people visit your site. Reddit, Quora, YouTube, and big news websites dominate search results, leaving very little room for smaller publishers.

It feels like Google now rewards trust and brand recognition more than simply publishing good content.

Small blogs can still grow, but the old strategy of writing lots of articles isn't enough anymore. You need original content, a recognizable brand, and an audience that comes back even without Google.

Has anyone else noticed this shift, or am I overthinking it?