People on HN have repeatedly stated that Google is "stealing their content" from their websites so it seems like this is a natural extension to that widespread opinion.
Isn't this the web we want? One where big corporations don't steal our websites? Right?
It is definitely an area where there is no single "people of HN" - opinion varies widely and is often more nuanced than a binary for/against⁰ matter. From an end user PoV it is (was) a very useful feature, one that kept me using Google by default¹, and I think that many like me used it as a backup when content was down at source.
The key problem with giving access to cached copies like this is when it effectively becomes the default view, holding users in the search providers garden instead of the content provider being particularly acknowledged never mind visited and the search service making money from that through adverts and related stalking.
I have sympathy for honest sites when their content is used this way, though those that give search engines full text but paywall most of it when I look who complain about the search engine showing fuller text, can do one. Also those who do the "turn off your stalker blocker or well not show you anything" thing.
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[0] Or ternary for/indifferent/against one.
[1] I'm now finally moving away, currently experimenting with Kagi, as a number of little things that kept me there are no longer true and more and more irritations² keep appearing.
[2] Like most of the first screen full of a result being adverts and an AI summary that I don't want, just give me the relevant links please…
Isn't this the web we want? One where big corporations don't steal our websites? Right?