Right but was it still going to be a big raise? I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out? Did you reject the job because it was a step down in pay, or simply because of the tile?
Usually reqs at Google are for two levels. So a manager can hire a lead, and it can either be senior or staff. G has strict perf requirements so people are much quicker to downlevel and then promote vs. hire at L6 and then fire.
It's not a bait and switch, it's called leveling. People can come with 20 YOE and get an L4 offer at google (mid level). and some people take it, because it's still a compensation increase.
Others try for staff and they get senior, which has a wide pay band and can sometimes pay as much as lower staff offers. So calling it a "bait and switch" isn't really accurate at all.
The people who decide your level are not the hiring manager or the interviewers too.
Usually reqs at Google are for two levels. So a manager can hire a lead, and it can either be senior or staff. G has strict perf requirements so people are much quicker to downlevel and then promote vs. hire at L6 and then fire.