Alphabet changed its corporate name from Google to Alphabet in 2015 while remaining one of the world’s most valuable companies.
The restructuring was announced in August 2015 and completed later that year. Alphabet became the parent company, while Google remained the name of the largest operating business, including search, advertising, YouTube, Android, and Chrome.
The new structure separated Google’s established internet businesses from ambitious projects such as self-driving technology, life sciences, and other research initiatives. Larry Page became Alphabet’s chief executive, and Sundar Pichai became Google’s CEO.
Alphabet is often called Google in everyday conversation, but they are not exactly the same corporate entity after the reorganization. Alphabet’s market capitalization combines the value investors assign to all of its businesses. Its advertising business has historically supplied most revenue, while cloud computing and other ventures have expanded the company’s profile.