Google adopted Alphabet Inc. as its parent-company structure in 2015.
The reorganization made Alphabet the holding company for Google and several other businesses and projects. Google retained its core internet operations, including Search, advertising, Maps, YouTube, and Android, while Alphabet provided a broader corporate structure.
Larry Page became Alphabet’s chief executive at the reorganization, while Sundar Pichai became Google’s chief executive. The change separated Google’s main business from ventures such as life sciences and other experimental projects.
A common mix-up is treating Alphabet and Google as completely unrelated companies. Google remained the principal operating company and the best-known brand, while Alphabet became the publicly traded parent. Alphabet’s shares continued under Google’s earlier stock-market ticker symbols.