Alphabet Q3 2026: AI Investments Drive Record Search Growth, CEO Sundar Pichai Says

The Verge · 2026-10-28
Alphabet Q3 2026: AI Investments Drive Record Search Growth, CEO Sundar Pichai Says

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, reported its Q3 2026 earnings today, revealing that its investments in artificial intelligence are fueling a significant surge in search queries. CEO Sundar Pichai stated, "Our AI investments are driving overall Search query growth, including commercial queries," and noted that the year-over-year query growth rate is the highest the company has seen. This underscores how AI-powered features are making Google Search more useful and engaging for users. The growth in commercial queries is particularly important for advertisers, as it indicates stronger purchase intent. As Alphabet continues to integrate AI across its products, the company is positioning itself to maintain dominance in the search market while opening new revenue streams. The earnings report suggests that AI is not just a cost center but a key driver of core business growth, with implications for competitors and the broader tech industry.