A year ago, few would have predicted that the stock of Google’s parent company, Alphabet (GOOG -0.92%)(GOOGL -0.97%), would have joined the $4 trillion market cap club by early 2026. However, after surging a staggering 65% in 2025 -- its biggest yearly gain since 2009 -- Google’s parent company became the fourth company to top $4 trillion in market capitalization after continuing to rally in early 2026.
Here’s a forecast for what might happen with a stock investment in Google in 2026, as well as where the share price could be by 2030.
NASDAQ: GOOG
Key Data Points
Alphabet (GOOG) forecast
Google stock got off to a sluggish start in 2025 as investors worried that it might fall behind in the artificial intelligence (AI) race. However, the company launched its custom AI chip (Ironwood), which has emerged as a potential competitor to Nvidia (NVDA +0.52%). Meanwhile, it introduced Google Gemini 3 in December to compete against OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other AI chatbots. Additionally, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.50%) (BRK.B +0.48%) purchased $4.9 billion in Alphabet stock late last year. These and other catalysts sent shares of Google’s parent company soaring towards the end of 2025 and into 2026.
Here’s a look at how these drivers influence the company’s stock predictions for 2026 and 2030.
2026 forecast
Entering 2026, a majority of analysts who cover Apple have the equivalent of a “buy” rating on the stock (46 of the 67 analysts), while another 13 have a “strong buy” rating. However, after the stock’s surge in 2026, the analysts’ consensus 12-month price target didn’t reflect that view. The average was $328.21 per share, while the stock price had topped $330 a share in early 2026.
Some analysts had already started updating their price targets in the wake of Alphabet's surge. For example, Citi (C +1.48%) raised its price target from $343 to $350 in December 2025, while naming Alphabet one of its top internet stock picks entering 2026. Meanwhile, Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS +0.07%) raised its price target from $336 to $375 in early January 2026.
While shares of Google soared in 2025, the company still traded at a reasonable valuation in early 2026. At less than 30 times forward earnings, it was the second cheapest “Magnificent Seven Stock,” with most other large tech companies trading at more than 30 times forward earnings. That drives my view that Google has more upside ahead in the new year. My prediction is that Google stock will rally by at least 15% more in 2026, reaching $380 per share by year-end.
2030 forecast
The average prediction is that Google stock will rise to more than $500 per share by 2030, a more than 50% surge from its current level. Meanwhile, more bullish predictions suggest that Google's shares could surge by about $600 by 2030, an increase of more than 80% from their level in early 2026.
Several catalysts could drive the stock up 50% or more in the coming years, including the growth of its core advertising business and the expansion of its cloud computing business (Google Cloud). If the company can continue growing these core businesses at a double-digit annual rate, it’s easy to see a future where Google stock tops $500 by 2030. Meanwhile, even higher returns are possible if Google emerges as a leader in AI and quantum computing. There were early hints of this in 2026, when Apple (AAPL -1.10%) selected Google Gemini to power its AI features, including a major upgrade to Siri.
I think the market is underappreciating Google’s ability to dominate in AI. Given its relatively attractive valuation and AI-powered growth potential as Gemini becomes the model of choice for more companies, I think Google could easily top $600 a share by 2030.
Related investing topics
Google’s highlights and risks
Google's stock is coming off a strong year in 2025. The tech titan released its custom AI chip (Ironwood), launched Google Gemini 3, and developed a landmark quantum computing algorithm (Quantum Echoes). These cutting-edge technologies position Google to dominate in the coming years. Other technology companies like Apple are already starting to rely on Google as the backbone of their AI strategies. These catalysts position Google for strong growth in 2026 and beyond.
However, technology is constantly evolving. It wasn’t all that long ago that many investors feared that Google was at risk of falling behind in the AI race to upstarts like OpenAI and Anthropic. While it has edged ahead of them over the past year, Google’s competitors are investing heavily to emerge as leaders in the AI era. If Google starts falling behind again, its stock price might deliver an underwhelming return in the future.
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