Google is one of the most powerful and influential technology companies in the world, dominating internet search, online advertising, mobile operating systems, and cloud computing. But who actually owns Google? The answer is more complex than just a single person or company. This article breaks down the full ownership structure of Google, including its parent company, top shareholders, and how control of the company is maintained.
1. Google and Its Parent Company: Alphabet Inc.
In 2015, Google restructured its corporate organization and created a new parent company called Alphabet Inc. Google became a subsidiary of Alphabet, allowing the company to separate its core businesses (like search, ads, and Android) from its more experimental ventures (like self-driving cars, biotech, and smart cities).
Alphabet’s Key Businesses:
- Google (search, ads, YouTube, Android, Google Cloud, Gmail, etc.)
- Other Bets (Waymo, Verily, DeepMind, X, etc.)
So, when we ask “Who owns Google?” — we’re really asking “Who owns Alphabet Inc.?”
2. Founders of Google
Larry Page
- Co-founder and former CEO of Google and Alphabet
- Major shareholder with special voting rights
Sergey Brin
- Co-founder and former President of Alphabet
- Also holds large shares with high voting power
Although Page and Brin stepped down from day-to-day management roles in 2019, they still hold significant control over the company through their shares.
3. Current Leadership of Alphabet/Google
- Sundar Pichai
- CEO of both Google and Alphabet (since 2019)
- He runs the day-to-day operations but does not “own” the company
Pichai has some shares and influence, but ultimate ownership power lies with shareholders.
4. Google’s Ownership Structure: Class A, B, and C Shares
Alphabet’s stock is split into three different classes of shares, which affect how much voting power shareholders have.
Class A Shares (GOOGL)
- Publicly traded on the stock market
- One vote per share
- Owned by everyday investors, funds, and institutions
Class B Shares
- Not publicly traded
- 10 votes per share
- Mostly owned by Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and a few insiders
- Gives them major control, even if they own fewer total shares
Class C Shares (GOOG)
- Publicly traded
- No voting rights
- Designed to raise money without giving up control
This structure allows the founders to keep control of the company’s decisions even though they may not hold a majority of the total shares.
5. Top Shareholders of Alphabet Inc. (as of 2025)
Individual Owners:
- Larry Page – Owns around 6% of Alphabet’s total shares but controls over 25% of the company’s voting power
- Sergey Brin – Owns around 5.5% of shares with similar voting influence
- Sundar Pichai – Holds a small percentage through stock awards
Institutional Investors:
These financial companies own large amounts of Alphabet’s publicly traded stock (Class A & C):
- Vanguard Group
- BlackRock
- State Street Corporation
- Fidelity Investments
These firms own shares on behalf of investors like pension funds and mutual fund holders.
6. Does the Public Own Google?
Yes, in a way. Anyone can own a part of Google by buying shares of Alphabet (GOOGL or GOOG) on the stock market. These shares give you part ownership in the company—but little control unless you own millions of them.
7. Summary: Who Really Owns Google?
| Owner | Role | Control Level |
|---|---|---|
| Alphabet Inc. | Google’s parent company | 100% ownership of Google |
| Larry Page & Sergey Brin | Founders, major shareholders | Control majority of votes |
| Sundar Pichai | CEO | Operational leadership |
| Public & Institutions | Shareholders via GOOGL/GOOG | Financial interest, limited voting power |
Conclusion
While Google is technically owned by Alphabet Inc., true control of the company lies in the hands of its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, thanks to their special Class B shares. Sundar Pichai runs the company on a day-to-day basis, but the voting structure ensures that long-term strategic decisions remain in the hands of the original creators.
In short: Larry Page and Sergey Brin still control Google, even if they’re no longer in the spotlight.
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