Alphabet changed its corporate name from Google to Alphabet in 2015 while retaining the GOOG and GOOGL stock tickers.
Google announced the restructuring in August 2015, and Alphabet became the new holding company in October of that year. Google remained the principal subsidiary, containing search, advertising, YouTube, Android, and other major internet products.
The reorganization separated Google’s core internet businesses from other ventures, including research and development projects such as self-driving technology and life sciences. Alphabet’s structure allowed those businesses to be reported more distinctly while keeping Google at the center of the group.
Investors often distinguish between Alphabet’s two main listed share classes. Class A shares carry one vote per share, while Class C shares generally carry no voting rights; Class B shares are mostly held by insiders and carry enhanced voting power.