GrapheneOS does not include any support for using a Google account and does not require using Google apps/services. There are many inaccurate statements here about what we supposedly recommend. We do not specifically recommend using the Play Store as a source of apps in the first place. We recommend using the sandboxed Play Store for obtaining apps from the Play Store.

GrapheneOS uses Pixels because those are still the only Android devices with reasonable security including decent updates, working encryption for users without a strong passphrase and the hardware functionality usable to provide decent exploit protection. GrapheneOS is in the process of adding support for upcoming Motorola devices meeting the official requirements.

So, what I said is true: You recommend using Google's phones and Google's app store.

Maybe in the future you'll recommend other phones, so it'll be less bad, but for now - you've verified that the "inaccurate statements"

No, we do not recommend using the Play Store as a source of apps over other options such as Accrescent. We document how people can obtain apps from the Play Store via both the sandboxed Play Store and Aurora Store. We explain apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store but that the sandboxed Play Store is generally a better way to install apps from it. Giving people recommendations on how to use a certain source of apps is not a recommendation to use it over the options we recommend including Accrescent.

Pixels are currently the only devices providing the updates and security features listed at https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices. GrapheneOS has an official partnership with Motorola where their devices are being improved to meet these requirements and provide official GrapheneOS support. We're actively working on it with them. We've reported vulnerabilities, weaknesses and made feature proposals to Google for Pixels but they certainly haven't directly helped us or supported us.