GOOG vs. GOOGL: A Tale of Two Ticks (and No, We're Not Talking About Lyme Disease)
So, you've stumbled upon the world of Alphabet, the parent company of the ever-present Google (remember them? The search engine that remembers literally everything you've ever googled... slightly creepy, but super convenient). But hold on to your virtual hats, because within this Alphabet jungle lurk two mysterious creatures: GOOG and GOOGL. What are they? Are they some secret AI overlords plotting world domination? Relax, grab a virtual cup of tea, and let's unravel this mystery.
GOOG vs GOOGL What is The Difference Between GOOG And GOOGL |
The Great Share Split Caper:
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.![]()
Imagine 2014, a simpler time when skinny jeans were still cool (don't judge). Google, feeling fancy, decided to transform into Alphabet, a company with tentacles in various techy ventures. But to keep things interesting, they created two types of shares:
- GOOGL: The snazzy one with voting rights. Imagine it as the share with a tiny megaphone, ready to voice its opinions in shareholder meetings (though let's be honest, those meetings are probably snoozefests).
- GOOG: The chill one with no voting rights. Think of it as the share that just wants to hang out, watch the drama unfold, and maybe munch on some virtual popcorn.
Tip: Read at your natural pace.![]()
So, What's the Big Deal?
Honestly, not much in terms of price. Both GOOG and GOOGL usually track each other pretty closely, so you won't get rich quick by picking the "right" one (sorry, get-rich-quick schemes are best left to pyramid schemes... and even then, don't do it).
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.![]()
But here's the twist: If you crave the thrill of (sort of) having a say, GOOGL is your gal (or guy, shares don't have genders, silly). However, be warned: even with your megaphone, founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin hold some super-powered shares with 10x the voting rights, so your voice might be more of a squeak than a roar.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.![]()
The Verdict:
Ultimately, choosing between GOOG and GOOGL is like picking between ketchup and mustard on your hot dog. Both are tasty, but one might give you a slight illusion of control (and maybe some heartburn from all the excitement). So, invest wisely, have fun, and remember, the real mystery is why anyone still wears skinny jeans.
Bonus Fun Fact: There's also a third share class, GOOGB, held by the founders and their inner circle. These are like the VIP shares with a private jet and unlimited caviar service... but hey, at least you can dream, right?