Introduction

Alphabet Inc. is one of the largest technology companies in the world and the parent company of Google. If you've ever searched for Alphabet stock, you may have noticed something confusing: there are two tickers trading publicly.

Investors often see Alphabet Class C shares (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Alphabet Class A shares (NASDAQ:GOOGL), and many are unsure which one is the "real" Alphabet stock or which is better to buy.

Alphabet stock has a market capitalization of over 1.6 trillion USD, placing it among the most valuable companies in the world. Despite the size and popularity of the company, the difference between GOOG and GOOGL continues to confuse both new and experienced investors.

This guide explains the difference clearly and helps you decide which Alphabet stock may be right for you.

Highlights and Key Takeaways

• Alphabet has two main publicly traded stock tickers: GOOG and GOOGL.
  
• Both stocks represent ownership in the same company, Alphabet Inc.
  
• The key difference between GOOG and GOOGL is voting rights.
  
• Performance and pricing between the two stocks are usually very similar.

Understanding Alphabet's Stock Structure

What Is the Correct Alphabet Ticker? GOOG or GOOGL?

Both GOOG and GOOGL are correct Alphabet tickers.

Alphabet uses a multi-class share structure, meaning it issues different classes of stock with different voting rights. This structure allows company founders and insiders to retain control over major business decisions.

Here is how Alphabet's stock classes work:

• Class A shares (GOOGL): These shares come with one vote per share.
  
• Class C shares (GOOG): These shares have no voting rights.
  
• Class B shares: These are not publicly traded and are mostly held by founders and insiders. They carry 10 votes per share.
  

For most retail investors, the choice comes down to GOOG vs GOOGL.

GOOG vs GOOGL: What's the Actual Difference?

Voting Rights

The biggest difference between the two stocks is voting power.

• GOOGL shareholders can vote on matters such as board elections and corporate actions.
  
• GOOG shareholders do not have voting rights.
  

In practice, this difference has limited impact for most individual investors. Alphabet's founders and insiders already control the majority of voting power through Class B shares, meaning public shareholder votes rarely influence company direction.

Price and Performance

Historically, GOOG and GOOGL trade at very similar prices. Sometimes one trades slightly higher than the other, but the gap is usually small.

Both stocks:

• Track the same earnings
  
• Reflect the same business performance
  
• Respond similarly to news and market conditions

You can see this reflected in Alphabet's earnings performance and stock price movement, which impact both share classes almost identically

(see Alphabet earnings coverage).

Liquidity

Both GOOG and GOOGL are highly liquid stocks with large daily trading volumes. This makes it easy to buy or sell shares without significant price slippage.

For most investors, liquidity is not a deciding factor between the two.

Why Alphabet Uses Two Stock Tickers

Alphabet's share structure was designed to protect long-term decision-making. By maintaining control through Class B shares, founders can focus on innovation, research, and long-term growth without pressure from short-term market movements.

This structure is common among large technology companies and has helped Alphabet invest heavily in areas such as:

• Search and digital advertising
  
• Cloud computing
  
• Artificial intelligence
  
• Autonomous driving and other "Other Bets"
  

Alphabet's long-term investment strategy is often cited as a reason for its sustained growth and resilience

(see AI and big tech investment trends).

Which Is Better to Buy: GOOG or GOOGL?

When GOOGL May Make Sense

You might consider GOOGL if:

• You value having voting rights, even if limited
  
• You prefer owning the more traditional voting share class
  
• Pricing between GOOG and GOOGL is similar
  

When GOOG May Make Sense

You might consider GOOG if:

• You are focused purely on price performance
  
• GOOG is trading slightly cheaper than GOOGL
  
• Voting rights are not important to you
  

In reality, many investors choose whichever stock is less expensive at the time of purchase, as long-term returns tend to be nearly identical.

Risks to Consider With Alphabet Stock

Regardless of whether you choose GOOG or GOOGL, the risks are the same because both represent ownership in Alphabet Inc.

• Advertising dependency: Alphabet earns most of its revenue from digital advertising.
  
• Regulatory scrutiny: Alphabet faces antitrust and data privacy regulation globally
  
  (see tech regulation and antitrust coverage).
  
• Competition: Alphabet competes with companies like Microsoft and Amazon in cloud computing and AI.
  
• Market volatility: Technology stocks can experience sharp price swings during downturns.

How To Buy GOOG or GOOGL Stock

Choosing a Brokerage

To buy either Alphabet stock, you need a brokerage account. When selecting a broker, consider:

• Trading fees or commissions
  
• Platform ease of use
  
• Customer support availability
  
• Regulatory licensing
  

Placing a Stock Order

Once your account is funded:

• Search for GOOG or GOOGL
  
• Choose the number of shares
  
• Select a market or limit order
  
• Place the trade
  

The buying process is identical for both stocks.

Long-Term Considerations for Investors

Alphabet remains one of the most influential companies in the digital economy. Its leadership in search, advertising, cloud services, and artificial intelligence supports long-term growth potential.

For most long-term investors, the difference between GOOG and GOOGL is less important than Alphabet's overall business performance, revenue growth, and ability to innovate.

Conclusion

GOOG and GOOGL are both correct Alphabet stock tickers, and both represent ownership in the same company. The main difference lies in voting rights, not business fundamentals or earnings exposure.

For most investors, choosing between GOOG and GOOGL comes down to personal preference or small price differences at the time of purchase. Regardless of which one you choose, your investment performance will largely depend on Alphabet's long-term success.

Understanding this distinction helps remove confusion and allows investors to focus on what truly matters: company fundamentals, risk management, and long-term strategy.

FAQs

What is the correct Alphabet ticker: GOOG or GOOGL?

Both are correct. GOOGL represents voting shares, while GOOG represents non-voting shares.

Is there a performance difference between GOOG and GOOGL?

Historically, performance differences are minimal since both track the same company fundamentals.

Do I need voting rights as a retail investor?

Most retail investors do not need voting rights, as Alphabet's founders retain control through Class B shares.

Which Alphabet stock is better for long-term investing?

Both are suitable for long-term investing. Many investors choose based on price or availability.

Can I own both GOOG and GOOGL?

Yes, investors can own both share classes if they choose.

Benzinga Disclaimer: This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.