Broaden final recommendation merge

backend/services/ranker.go

@@ -302,6 +302,39 @@ func MergeRecommendations(recommended []AIRecommendation, ranked []SearchResult,
 		seen[item.Link] = true
 		merged = append(merged, item)
 	}
+
+	for _, item := range recommended {
+		if item.Recommended || item.Link == "" || seen[item.Link] || len(merged) >= limit {
+			continue
+		}
+		if looksNegativeReason(item.Reason) || strings.Contains(item.Reason, GeminiFallbackReason) {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[item.Link] = true
+		merged = append(merged, item)
+	}
+
+	if len(merged) < min(6, limit) {
+		for _, item := range ranked {
+			if len(merged) >= min(6, limit) || item.Link == "" || seen[item.Link] {
+				continue
+			}
+			if strings.TrimSpace(item.ThumbnailURL) == "" && strings.TrimSpace(item.PreviewVideoURL) == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			seen[item.Link] = true
+			merged = append(merged, AIRecommendation{
+				Title:           item.Title,
+				Link:            item.Link,
+				Snippet:         item.Snippet,
+				ThumbnailURL:    item.ThumbnailURL,
+				PreviewVideoURL: item.PreviewVideoURL,
+				Source:          item.Source,
+				Reason:          GeminiFallbackReason,
+				Recommended:     false,
+			})
+		}
+	}
 	return merged
 }