In the long run, would it have been better for Google to combat Google bombing directly by suppressing offensive search results when typing in the word “Jew”, pushing them further down the list, or simply sticking to the apology ad they have now?
(I changed my research question since as you mentioned during our conference I had not known enough about Google’s Ad-words to be able to identify its affects on businesses.)
Your question is really narrow and focused but i am not sure how you would find information to support or reject the solutions they did not implement (suppressing the offensive search results, combating Google bombing directly). Also, you should try to be a little more specific on what you mean by the solution being “better for Google”. It could have different interpretations (Sorry for going philosophic on your question). You might want to evaluate the solution in relation to something else (ex:Google’s public image). Otherwise you have a fairly good question and idea. Good luck!
Sherif’s question about “better for Google” is great. I’d give some thought to that and see if you can think of a way to be more specific.