The contribution how does Google actually earn money? First appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.
Around 90 percent of internet users use Google as a search engine – also because it is free. Nevertheless, the US group achieves billions in sales. But how exactly does Google actually earn money?
With 5.9 million Searches per minute Google processes around 8.5 billion search queries a day and around 3.1 trillion searches a year. The use of the company’s own search engine is free of charge for users. Google Maps and Gmail are also accessible free of charge.
Nevertheless, Google mother Alphabet recorded one last year Sales volume of $ 348.16 billion-a record value. But where do the income come from?
How does Google earn money?
“This is only possible with the help of advertising,” is Google’s Answer to the question. In fact, the vast majority of sales are created by digital ads. The company sells advertising space in different sizes and with different reach.
There are two basic options: On the one hand, companies can switch ads in a number of Google products such as Google search, Google Maps and YouTube.
“We achieve the majority of our income by switching advertisements in addition to relevant search results on Google search,” explains the group.
On the other hand, there are advertising space for sale, which can then be seen on websites and in the Google partners’ apps, for example on news sites or blogs.
Google range for marketing measures
This so -called “performance marketing” is interesting for many companies because they reach their respective target group so specifically and measurably. Google’s sales model is based on the free search engine. Because it is used by billions of people every day, it generates a huge range.
YouTube is also a central sales bearer. The video portal is also financed through advertisements. For example, advertising clips run before, during or after videos.
The respective content creates gain part of the income, the rest keeps Google. Additional sales are generated via subscriptions with which users can use the video platform adult -free or receive access to exclusive functions.
Tools and services as a source of income
In addition to the advertising business, Google has also developed further branches. The company sells hardware products such as the Google Pixel Phone, Chromebook laptops, smart speakers and fitness trackers.
The trade in apps and in-app purchases in the Google Play Store also brings money. In addition, the cloud business takes up increasingly important importance. The group offers its customers computing power, memory and AI software.
Under the roof of the parent company Alphabet, Google also invests in new technologies. In addition to artificial intelligence, this also includes autonomous driving (Waymo) and various health technologies (Verily). So far, these projects have only brought little yields. However, they are considered a long -term investment in new markets.
How Google earns money
Different statistics as well as googles Official annual reports show how Google’s turnover is composed. We show you the individual areas at a glance with the respective sales from the second quarter of 2025.
Alphabet’s total turnover in mid-2025 was $ 96.4 billion. This means an increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year.
Total Google Advertising (advertising)
- Sales Q2 2025: $ 71.3 billion
- Share of total sales: 73.9 percent
Google Search & other (search engine advertising)
- Sales Q2 2025: 54.2 Billion $ dollar
- Share of total sales: 56.3 percent
Google Cloud
- Sales Q2 2025: $ 13.6 billion
- Share of total sales: 14.1 percent
Google Subscriptions, platforms and devices
- Sales Q2 2025: $ 11.2 billion
- Share of total sales: 11.6 percent
YouTube advertising
- Sales Q2 2025: 9.8 billion US dollars
- Share of total sales: 10.2 percent
Google Network (AdSense, Admob etc.)
- Sales Q2 2025: $ 7.4 billion
- Share of total sales: 7.2 percent
Other
- Sales Q2 2025: $ 0.4 billion
- Share of total sales: 0.4 percent
The overview shows that Google’s main sales continue to arise with advertising. At the same time, the cloud and subscription services become more important. When it comes to the future, CEO Sundar Pichai Media reports According to a long-term strategy that focuses on AI tools in particular.
One of the largest factors is to be expanded by Google’s Gemini Ai in the future. The AI should therefore support several products and services, including searches, personal assistants and corporate solutions.
Google also plans to improve its search functions in order to be one step ahead of competitors such as Openaai and Perplexity, both of whom are entering the search industry with AI-controlled approaches.
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The contribution how does Google actually earn money? First appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard Or subscribe to our update newsletter.
As a Tech Industry expert, I can say that Google primarily earns money through its advertising business. Google’s primary source of revenue comes from its advertising platforms, including Google Ads and AdSense. These platforms allow businesses to place ads on Google’s search engine results pages, websites, and other digital properties, reaching millions of users around the world.
In addition to advertising, Google also generates revenue from its cloud services, such as Google Cloud Platform, which provides businesses with cloud computing and storage solutions. Google also earns money from its hardware products, such as the Pixel smartphones and Nest smart home devices.
Overall, Google’s diverse revenue streams, fueled by its massive user base and powerful advertising platforms, have made it one of the most profitable companies in the world. This has allowed Google to continue innovating and investing in new technologies and services to maintain its dominant position in the tech industry.
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