I think there's a mismatch here that only becomes apparent when you consider what level each web service and the browser are operating on. Search engines and pu

I think there's a mismatch here that only becomes apparent when you consider what level each web service and the browser are operating on. Search engines and publishers are considering intent - which is relatively easy because they have a small area over which to infer it. Browsers are operating as smart tools capable of interfacing but not capable of understanding intent because the scope of possibility is so broad. You're right. User agents should be for the user. They should expose options and controls for the user. They should tune and change and transform things for the user. They should understand what the user wants and make life easier for the user. I am just skeptical that browsers are ever going to be true user agents and capable of fully representing the user's interests and intent.