Alphabet owns Google and became the public holding company for Google’s businesses in 2015.
Before the restructuring, Google itself was the publicly traded parent. In 2015, Google announced Alphabet as a new corporate structure designed to separate the core internet business from other ventures, including research and technology projects. Alphabet’s shares began trading under the existing Google stock tickers after the reorganization.
Google remains Alphabet’s largest business and includes Search, YouTube, Android, Chrome, and advertising operations. Alphabet also houses businesses such as Waymo and other “Other Bets,” although the exact portfolio can change over time.
Alphabet is often discussed among the world’s largest companies by market capitalization because digital advertising and cloud computing have generated substantial revenue. It is distinct from Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and from Microsoft, which operates Bing, Azure, and Windows.