Alphabet stocks: what is the difference between GOOG and GOOGL?
A plain-English answer to “Alphabet stocks”: the difference between the publicly traded Class A and Class C shares of Google’s parent company.
GOOGL represents Alphabet Class A shares with one vote per share, while GOOG represents Class C shares with no ordinary voting rights; both are equity in the same parent company.
What Alphabet is
Alphabet is the parent company of Google and several other businesses. Its investor materials and SEC filings describe its share classes, financial reporting and corporate structure. The phrase “Alphabet stocks” can refer to results, market prices or the difference between its tickers.
GOOGL is the public ticker for Class A shares, which carry one vote per share. GOOG is the public ticker for Class C shares, which do not carry ordinary voting rights. Alphabet also has Class B shares with enhanced voting power that are not publicly traded.
Why two public tickers exist
The share classes allow Alphabet to raise public capital while maintaining a different voting structure for founders and certain insiders. The economic rights and market prices of GOOG and GOOGL are generally closely related, but their voting rights are not identical.
Check the ticker, share class, date of the quote and whether a report discusses revenue, earnings, guidance or the share price. This is general market education, not a recommendation to buy or sell either share.
Editorial disclosure
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Frequently asked questions
What does GOOGL represent?
Alphabet Class A common stock, which carries one vote per share.
What does GOOG represent?
Alphabet Class C common stock, which has no ordinary voting rights.