Can You Buy Stock in Google? Here’s How
Navigate the process of investing in Google (Alphabet Inc.). This guide offers clear, practical steps to acquire shares and begin your stock ownership.
It is possible to buy stock in Google, which is publicly traded on major stock exchanges. Buying shares allows individuals to become partial owners, participating in its growth and financial performance. This process involves a few steps, from understanding the company’s stock structure to funding an investment account and placing a trade.
Understanding Alphabet Inc. Stock
Google operates as a subsidiary of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. has a unique stock structure, offering two classes of shares to the public: Class A shares, traded under the ticker symbol GOOGL, and Class C shares, traded as GOOG. The main distinction between these two classes lies in their voting rights.
Class A shares (GOOGL) carry one vote per share, granting holders a say in company matters like electing board members and approving corporate decisions. Class C shares (GOOG) provide no voting rights. While Class A shares might occasionally trade at a slight premium due to these voting rights, the prices of GOOGL and GOOG shares remain very similar, reflecting the same underlying company performance. Alphabet also has Class B shares, which possess super-voting rights (ten votes per share) but are exclusively held by the company’s founders and insiders.
Opening a Brokerage Account
To buy stock, you must first open a brokerage account. This account holds your investments and facilitates trades. Online brokerage firms have made this process accessible, often allowing accounts to be opened quickly.
When applying for a brokerage account, you need to provide personal identification information. This includes your legal name, address, date of birth, and Social Security or other tax identification number. Brokerage firms also require information regarding your employment status, annual income, and net worth to comply with regulations and assess your investment profile. You may also need to provide bank account details for linking and upload copies of identification documents like a driver’s license or passport.
Funding Your Account and Placing an Order
After your brokerage account is established, you must transfer funds into it. Common funding methods include Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers, wire transfers, or mailing a check. ACH transfers, which move money electronically between bank accounts, are a common and often free option, taking one to three business days for funds to become available for trading. Wire transfers are the fastest method, with funds often available the same business day if initiated before a specific cut-off time, but they may incur fees.
Once your account is funded, you can place an order for Alphabet Inc. shares through your brokerage platform, online or via phone. Search for the specific ticker symbol—GOOGL for Class A shares or GOOG for Class C shares. When placing an order, choose an order type.
Order Types
A market order instructs your broker to buy shares immediately at the best available price, prioritizing speed. A limit order allows you to set a maximum price you are willing to pay, and the trade will only execute if the stock reaches or falls below that price. This offers more control over the purchase price but does not guarantee execution. After entering the quantity of shares, selecting the order type, and reviewing all details, confirm the purchase.