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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2026
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations
Nature of Operations
Google was incorporated in California in September 1998 and re-incorporated in the State of Delaware in August 2003. In 2015, we implemented a holding company reorganization, and as a result, Alphabet Inc. ("Alphabet") became the successor issuer to Google.
We generate revenues by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising; cloud-based solutions that provide enterprise customers of all sizes with infrastructure, platform services, and applications; and sales of products and services, such as fees received for subscription-based products, apps and in-app purchases, consumer devices, and Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) systems.
Basis of Consolidation
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of Alphabet include the accounts of Alphabet and entities consolidated under the variable interest and voting models. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), and in our opinion, include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for fair financial statement presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2026. We have made estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
These consolidated financial statements and other information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, except for as described below.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
Preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates due to uncertainties. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the allowance for credit losses; contingent liabilities; fair values of financial instruments, intangible assets, and goodwill; income taxes; inventory; and useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, among others. We base our estimates on assumptions, both historical and forward looking, that are believed to be reasonable, and the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
Revenue Recognition and Cost of Revenues
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, and the collectibility of an amount that we expect in exchange for those goods or services is probable. Sales and other similar taxes are excluded from revenues.
Google Advertising
Google advertising revenues consist of revenues from:
•Google Search and other properties, including revenues from traffic generated by search distribution partners who use Google.com as their default search in browsers, toolbars, etc. and other Google owned and operated properties like Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Play;
•YouTube properties; and
•Google Network properties, including revenues from Google Network properties participating in AdMob, AdSense, and Google Ad Manager.
Our customers generally purchase advertising inventory through Google Ads, Google Ad Manager, Google Display & Video 360, and Google Marketing Platform, among others.
We offer advertising by delivering both performance and brand advertising. We recognize revenues for performance advertising when a user engages with the advertisement. For brand advertising, we recognize revenues when the ad is displayed, or a user views the ad.
For ads placed on Google Network properties, we evaluate whether we are the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis). Generally, we report advertising revenues for ads placed on Google Network properties on a gross basis; that is, the amounts billed to our customers are recorded as revenues, and amounts paid to Google Network partners are recorded as cost of revenues. Where we are the principal, we control the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our customers. Our control is evidenced by our sole ability to monetize the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our customers and is further supported by us being primarily responsible to our customers and having a level of discretion in establishing pricing.
Google Subscriptions, Platforms, and Devices
Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices revenues consist of revenues from:
•consumer subscriptions, which primarily include revenues from YouTube services, such as YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium, and NFL Sunday Ticket, as well as Google One, which offers access to our most capable Gemini models;
•platforms, which primarily include revenues from Google Play sales of apps and in-app purchases;
•consumer devices, which primarily include sales of the Pixel family of devices; and
•other products and services.
Subscription revenues are recognized ratably over the period of the subscription, primarily monthly. We report revenues from Google Play sales of apps and in-app purchases on a net basis because our performance obligation is to facilitate a transaction between app developers and end users for which we earn a service fee.
Google Cloud
Google Cloud revenues consist of revenues from:
•Google Cloud Platform primarily generates consumption-based fees and subscriptions for infrastructure, platform, and other services. These services provide access to solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) offerings including our enterprise AI infrastructure, Vertex AI platform, and Gemini Enterprise; cybersecurity offerings; and data and analytics solutions.
•Google Workspace includes subscriptions for cloud-based communication and collaboration tools for enterprises, such as Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Drive, and Meet, with integrated features like Gemini for Google Workspace.
•Product sales, primarily the sale of TPU systems.
•Other enterprise services.
Our cloud services are generally provided on either a consumption or subscription basis and may have contract terms longer than a year. Revenues related to cloud services provided on a consumption basis are recognized when the customer utilizes the services, based on the quantity of services consumed using the relative standalone selling price allocation. Revenues related to cloud services provided on a subscription basis are recognized over the contract term as the customer receives and consumes the benefits of the cloud services.
Our Google Cloud product sales generally consist of the sale of TPU systems comprising hardware, software, installation, support, and extended warranty services. Customer arrangements may also include options requiring us to repurchase the hardware and embedded software at pre-set prices, over a multi-year term, which are generally accounted for as rights of return. Where the customer assigns the TPU systems to another party, but retains the ability to require us to repurchase the TPU systems, we account for this as a financial guarantee. Product sales revenue from hardware, net of estimated allowances for returns, and software is recognized generally when control of the hardware is transferred to the customer. Installation, support, and extended warranty services revenue are recognized ratably over the service period or as services are performed.
Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
At contract inception, we assess whether concurrent agreements with a customer should be accounted for as a single agreement. Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on observable prices of our products and services sold or priced separately in comparable circumstances to similar customers.
Customer Incentives and Credits
Certain customers receive cash-based incentives or credits, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduce revenues. We believe that there will not be significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration related to customer incentives and credits.
Sales Commissions
We expense sales commissions when incurred when the period of the expected benefit is one year or less. We recognize an asset for certain sales commissions and amortize if the expected benefit period is greater than one year. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of traffic acquisition costs (TAC) and other costs of revenues.
•TAC includes:
◦amounts paid to our distribution partners who make available our search access points and other ad-supported services. Our distribution partners include browser providers, mobile carriers, original equipment manufacturers, and software developers; and
◦amounts paid to Google Network partners primarily for ads displayed on their properties.
•Other cost of revenues includes:
◦content acquisition costs, which are payments to content providers from whom we license video and other content for distribution, primarily related to YouTube (we pay fees to these content providers based on revenues generated, subscriber counts, or a flat fee);
◦depreciation expense, primarily related to our technical infrastructure;
◦employee compensation expenses related to our technical infrastructure and other operations such as content review and customer and product support;
◦inventory and related costs associated with the consumer devices and TPU systems hardware we sell; and
◦other technical infrastructure operations costs, including energy, equipment, and network capacity costs.
Revenue Backlog
As of September 30, 2026, we had $567.7 billion of remaining performance obligations (“revenue backlog”), of which $560.8 billion related to Google Cloud. Revenue backlog represents commitments in customer contracts that have not yet been recognized as revenue. We expect to recognize just over 55% of the revenue backlog as revenues over the next 24 months with the remainder to be recognized thereafter. The estimated revenue backlog and timing of revenue recognition for these commitments is largely driven by contract duration along with our ability to deliver in accordance with relevant contract terms and when our customers utilize services, both of which may fluctuate from period to period. Revenue backlog includes related deferred revenue currently recorded as well as amounts that will be invoiced in future periods and excludes cancelable contracts and payments we make to our customers not expected to be in exchange for distinct goods and services. In the first quarter of 2026, we elected to change our reporting of revenue backlog to also include contracts with an original expected term of one year or less. Our revenue backlog as of September 30, 2026 included $16.8 billion associated with a multi-year commercial agreement with Crux AI, an unconsolidated equity method joint venture and a related party. See Note 3 for further details on our investment in Crux AI.
Deferred Revenues
We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. Deferred revenues primarily relate to Google Cloud and Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices.
Inventory
Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of hardware related to TPU systems for sale to enterprise customers and consumer devices, which primarily include the Pixel family of products. We utilize third-party contract manufacturers to manufacture our inventory. Our inventory includes raw material components purchased directly from our suppliers; work-in-process inventory undergoing conversion into finished products; and fully assembled finished goods. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis generally over periods ranging from one to 10 years, and are subsequently removed from the presentation of gross intangible assets and accumulated amortization once they are fully amortized.
Assets Held for Sale
Assets Held for Sale
We consider assets to be held for sale in the period when all of the criteria for a qualifying plan of sale are met. Upon designation as held for sale, we record the assets at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value, reduced for the cost to sell the assets, and cease depreciation. Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2024-03 "Income Statement: Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40)" to improve the disclosures about an entity’s expenses. Upon adoption, we will be required to disclose in the notes to the financial statements a disaggregation of certain expense categories included within the relevant expense captions on the consolidated statements of income. The standard is effective for our 2027 annual period, and our interim periods beginning in 2028, with early adoption permitted. The standard can be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. We are currently assessing adoption timing, the method of adoption, and the effect that the updated standard will have on our financial statement disclosures.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06 "Intangibles: Goodwill and Other‒Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software" to modernize the accounting for software costs under Subtopic 350-40, Intangibles‒Goodwill and Other‒Internal-Use Software (referred to as “internal-use software”). Upon adoption, we will be required to account for internal-use software under the updated capitalization criteria. The standard is effective for our interim and annual 2028 periods, with early adoption permitted. The standard can be applied either prospectively, retrospectively, or under a modified transition approach. We are currently assessing adoption timing, the method of adoption, and the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2026, the FASB issued ASU 2026-02 "Environmental Credits and Environmental Credit Obligations (Topic 818)” to provide recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure guidance for environmental credits and environmental credit obligations. Upon adoption, we will be required to account for environmental credits and environmental credit obligations under the new guidance. The standard is effective for our interim and annual 2028 periods, with early adoption permitted. The standard should be adopted on a retrospective basis. We are currently assessing adoption timing and the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Prior Period Reclassifications
Prior Period Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
Cash equivalents and marketable equity securities are measured at fair value and classified within Level 1 and Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, because we use quoted prices for identical assets in active markets or inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets.
Debt securities are measured at fair value and classified within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, because we use quoted market prices to the extent available or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs to determine fair value.
Our non-marketable securities primarily consist of non-marketable equity securities accounted for under the measurement alternative. The carrying value is measured at the total initial cost plus the cumulative net upward and downward adjustments (including impairments). We also have non-marketable equity securities through which we exercise significant influence, but do not have control over the investee, accounted for under the equity method. Certain of our non-marketable securities include our investments in variable interest entities (VIEs) where we are not the primary beneficiary. See Note 5 for further details on VIEs.
Realized net gain (loss) on equity securities sold during the period reflects the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the equity securities at the beginning of the period or the purchase date, if later. All gains and losses, including impairments, are included as components of OI&E.
Consolidated VIEs
Consolidated VIEs
We consolidate VIEs in which we hold a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. The results of operations and financial position of these VIEs are included in our consolidated financial statements.
Segment Reporting
We report our segment results as Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets:
•Google Services includes products and services such as ads, Android, Chrome, consumer devices, Google Maps, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. Google Services generates revenues primarily from advertising; fees received for consumer subscription-based products such as YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium, and NFL Sunday Ticket, as well as Google One; the sale of apps and in-app purchases; and consumer devices.
•Google Cloud includes infrastructure and platform services, applications, and other products and services for enterprise customers. Google Cloud generates services revenues primarily from consumption-based fees and subscriptions received for Google Cloud Platform services, Google Workspace communication and collaboration tools, and other enterprise services. Google Cloud generates product revenues primarily from the sale of TPU systems.
•Other Bets is a combination of multiple operating segments that are not individually material. Revenues from Other Bets are generated primarily from the sale of autonomous transportation services and internet services.
Revenues, certain costs, such as costs associated with content and traffic acquisition, certain engineering activities, and inventory, as well as certain operating expenses are directly attributable to our segments. Due to the integrated nature of Alphabet, other costs and expenses, such as technical infrastructure and office facilities, are managed centrally at a consolidated level. These costs, including the associated depreciation, are allocated to operating segments as a service cost generally based on usage, headcount, or revenue.
Certain costs are not allocated to our segments because they represent Alphabet-level activities. These costs primarily include:
•certain AI-focused shared research and development activities, including employee compensation expenses and technical infrastructure usage costs associated with the development of our general AI models;
•corporate initiatives such as our philanthropic activities; and
•corporate shared costs such as certain finance, human resource, and legal costs, including certain fines and settlements.
Charges associated with employee severance and office space reductions are also not allocated to our segments. Additionally, hedging gains (losses) related to revenue are not allocated to our segments.
Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) is our Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai. Our CODM uses segment operating income (loss) to allocate resources to our segments in our annual planning process and to assess the performance of our segments, primarily by monitoring actual results versus the annual plan. Our operating segments are not evaluated using asset information.
Google Services and Google Cloud employee compensation expenses include the costs associated with direct and allocated employees. Google Services and Google Cloud other costs and expenses primarily include direct costs, such as advertising and promotional activities, inventory and related costs, legal and other matters, and third-party services fees as well as allocated costs, such as technical infrastructure and office facilities usage costs. Additionally, Google Services other costs and expenses include content acquisition costs and TAC.
Net Income Per Share
We compute net income per common share of Class A, Class B, and Class C stock using the two-class method. Basic net income per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares and the effect of potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities consist of restricted stock units (RSUs), other contingently issuable shares, and mandatory convertible preferred stock. The dilutive effect of outstanding RSUs and other contingently issuable shares is reflected in diluted earnings per common share pursuant to the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of mandatory convertible preferred shares is reflected in diluted earnings per common share pursuant to the if-converted method. The computation of the diluted net income per common share of Class A stock assumes the conversion of Class B stock, while the diluted net income per common share of Class B stock does not assume the conversion of those shares.
Net income available to common stockholders is calculated by adjusting net income to deduct declared and accrued dividends on the mandatory convertible preferred stock.
In accordance with our certificate of incorporation, the rights, including the liquidation and dividend rights, of the holders of our Class A, Class B, and Class C stock are identical, except with respect to voting. Furthermore, there are a number of safeguards built into our certificate of incorporation, as well as Delaware law, which preclude our Board of Directors from declaring or paying unequal per share dividends on our Class A, Class B, and Class C stock. Specifically, Delaware law provides that amendments to our certificate of incorporation which would have the effect of adversely altering the rights, powers, or preferences of a given class of stock must be approved by the class of stock adversely affected by the proposed amendment. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that before any such amendment may be put to a stockholder vote, it must be approved by the unanimous consent of our Board of Directors.
Immaterial differences in net income per common share across our Class A, Class B, and Class C shares may arise due to the allocation of distributed earnings, which is based on the holders as of the record date, compared with the allocation of undistributed earnings and number of shares, which is based on the weighted-average shares outstanding over the periods.