Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities 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. For certain consolidated VIEs, their assets are not available to us, and their creditors do not have recourse to us. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, assets that can only be used to settle obligations of these VIEs were $8.7 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, and are primarily included in cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, liabilities for which creditors only have recourse to the VIEs were $2.3 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. We may continue to fund ongoing operations, including the potential funding of employee compensation programs, of certain VIEs that are included within Other Bets. In February 2026, Waymo, a consolidated VIE, announced an investment round of $16.0 billion, the significant majority of which was funded by Alphabet. Investments from external parties will be accounted for as equity transactions and will result in recognition of noncontrolling interests. Total noncontrolling interests (NCI) in our consolidated subsidiaries were $4.2 billion and $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively, of which $1.1 billion and $841 million were redeemable noncontrolling interests (RNCI) as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively. NCI and RNCI are included within additional paid-in capital. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was not material for any period presented and is included within the "other" component of OI&E. See Note 7 for further details on OI&E. Unconsolidated VIEs We hold various forms of interests in Variable Interest Entities (VIEs), including certain of our investments in private companies and renewable energy entities, certain leases and credit backstops with data center entities, and certain backstops with energy infrastructure entities. Because we have determined that we do not direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these entities, we are not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, these VIEs are not consolidated within our financial statements. Our investments in private companies and renewable energy VIEs are primarily accounted for as non-marketable securities under the measurement alternative or the equity method. The carrying value of these investments are included within non-marketable securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 3 for further details on investments. The maximum exposure to these VIEs is generally limited to the current carrying value plus future funding commitments. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, future funding commitments were $1.5 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. Leases with data center leasing VIEs are accounted for as finance leases and are included within total lease obligations disclosed in Note 4. The maximum exposure arising from leases with VIEs is limited to the net carrying value of commenced finance lease assets, plus the undiscounted future obligations for leases that have not yet commenced. See Note 4 for further details on leases. Credit backstops we have provided to data center VIEs are accounted for as credit derivatives. The maximum exposure arising from credit backstops with VIEs is limited to the financial risk over the remaining period of the arrangements, as reflected by the credit derivative notional value. See Note 3 for further details on credit derivatives. Backstop agreements we have provided to energy infrastructure VIEs are accounted for as financial guarantees. The maximum exposure to these VIEs is limited to the potential amount of future payments under these arrangements. See Note 10 for further details on financial guarantees.

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.

For certain consolidated VIEs, their assets are not available to us, and their creditors do not have recourse to us. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, assets that can only be used to settle obligations of these VIEs were $8.7 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, and are primarily included in cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, liabilities for which creditors only have recourse to the VIEs were $2.3 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. We may continue to fund ongoing operations, including the potential funding of employee compensation programs, of certain VIEs that are included within Other Bets.

In February 2026, Waymo, a consolidated VIE, announced an investment round of $16.0 billion, the significant majority of which was funded by Alphabet. Investments from external parties will be accounted for as equity transactions and will result in recognition of noncontrolling interests.

Total noncontrolling interests (NCI) in our consolidated subsidiaries were $4.2 billion and $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively, of which $1.1 billion and $841 million were redeemable noncontrolling interests (RNCI) as of December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively. NCI and RNCI are included within additional paid-in capital. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was not material for any period presented and is included within the "other" component of OI&E. See Note 7 for further details on OI&E.

We hold various forms of interests in Variable Interest Entities (VIEs), including certain of our investments in private companies and renewable energy entities, certain leases and credit backstops with data center entities, and certain backstops with energy infrastructure entities. Because we have determined that we do not direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these entities, we are not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, these VIEs are not consolidated within our financial statements.

Our investments in private companies and renewable energy VIEs are primarily accounted for as non-marketable securities under the measurement alternative or the equity method. The carrying value of these investments are included within non-marketable securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 3 for further details on investments. The maximum exposure to these VIEs is generally limited to the current carrying value plus future funding commitments. As of December 31, 2024 and 2025, future funding commitments were $1.5 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.

Leases with data center leasing VIEs are accounted for as finance leases and are included within total lease obligations disclosed in Note 4. The maximum exposure arising from leases with VIEs is limited to the net carrying value of commenced finance lease assets, plus the undiscounted future obligations for leases that have not yet commenced. See Note 4 for further details on leases.

Credit backstops we have provided to data center VIEs are accounted for as credit derivatives. The maximum exposure arising from credit backstops with VIEs is limited to the financial risk over the remaining period of the arrangements, as reflected by the credit derivative notional value. See Note 3 for further details on credit derivatives.

Backstop agreements we have provided to energy infrastructure VIEs are accounted for as financial guarantees. The maximum exposure to these VIEs is limited to the potential amount of future payments under these arrangements. See Note 10 for further details on financial guarantees.