IPad interpreted as a Mac by Google?

Yes, since iPadOS 13 or so, iPads have had ‘desktop class’’ browsing, and often websites try to serve iPads mobile sites, so to get around it, Apple gives Safari on the iPad the user agent of Safari on the Mac, so most websites think it’s a desktop device, and so you get a better web browsing experience.

Some websites incorrectly identify your iOS/iPadOS Safari User Agent when used in one or other of its browsing modes - of which there are two - these being Desktop and Mobile. Misidentification of the browser Agent can often manifest as the website reporting that your browser is out of date, or won’t properly render a page.

It’s easy to switch between modes if a website isn’t functioning correctly. From the desired web-page, touch the aA icon at the left of the Address Bar; this will reveal a menu. From the menu select Website Settings, then select (or deselect) Request Desktop Website, then tap Done. Now refresh the webpage.

The chosen setting will be saved for the selected website - and can be simply reversed if needed.

Here is an illustration of how the iPadOS 15.x Safari browser agent is identified - first in its full “Desktop” mode - and then its “Mobile” mode: