Mapping Alphabet and Google’s IP Landscape
- Ayushi Tripathi
- Oct 24
- 7 min read
Introduction
Alphabet Inc. operates through two main segments: Google, which includes Search, Ads, YouTube, Android, Chrome, Google Cloud, and Maps, and Other Bets, encompassing ventures like Waymo, Verily, Calico, X, GV, and CapitalG. This diverse structure has driven revenue growth from $282.836 billion in 2022 to $307.394 billion in 2023 and $350.018 billion in 2024, per SEC filings. Supporting this growth is a carefully managed IP portfolio, as shown in the graph below, with 64 granted and 13 pending patents, while 101 lapsed, 8 revoked, and 5 expired patents reflect a strategic focus on high-value technologies and continuous innovation.
Breaking down Alphabet’s revenue growth by segment
A clear trend emerges when monitoring Alphabet’s revenue growth over the last few years. In 2024, revenue increased by 14% compared to 2023, driven primarily by a $32.4 billion (12%) rise in Google Services revenues and a $10.1 billion (31%) increase in Google Cloud revenues.
Additionally, SEC filings report that revenue reached $307.4 billion in 2023, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase, primarily due to a $19.0 billion (8%) rise in Google Services revenues and a $6.8 billion (26%) increase in Google Cloud revenues.
These figures highlight Alphabet’s strategic focus on cloud platforms, AI-driven enhancements to Google Search, such as the launch of Gemini in 2023, and advancements in advertising services. This innovation trajectory has accelerated both Alphabet’s monetary investments and the expansion of its patent portfolio in cloud and artificial intelligence technologies.
Alphabet’s evolving Intellectual Property Landscape
Building on this foundation, a closer look at Alphabet’s intellectual property landscape reveals the evolution of its innovation strategy. By analyzing trends in annual patent filings, the focus areas of its technology-specific patents, and the global distribution of its IP assets, it becomes clear that Alphabet, along with its largest subsidiary, Google, is not only safeguarding current technologies but also laying the groundwork for future advancements across AI, cloud, hardware, and other emerging sectors.
Alphabet’s number of yearly patent filings
As presented in the graph above, Alphabet’s patent filings began modestly, with one application each in 2005 and 2006, and saw a significant surge starting in 2010. Filing activity peaked in 2013 and 2020 with 24 and 23 patents, respectively, and remained high in years like 2014, 2015, and 2019. However, filings declined sharply post-2021, with only three in 2022 and 2023, one in 2024, and none so far in 2025. This pattern suggests a shift toward more selective, high-impact patenting and a greater focus on leveraging existing IP assets.
Notable Insight: The spike in Alphabet’s patent filings from 2013 to 2015 closely aligns with key developments during this period. In 2013, Google acquired Waze, enhancing its real-time navigation capabilities, and Makani Power, advancing its renewable energy efforts under Google X. In 2014, it acquired Lift Labs, known for assistive devices like the smart spoon for tremor patients. In 2015, the company restructured as Alphabet Inc., enabling greater innovation beyond core search, and launched Calico, focused on extending human lifespan.
Google’s number of yearly patent filings
From the graph above, it is derived that Google’s patent filings rose sharply from 1,020 in 2005 to a peak of 3,578 in 2012, maintaining high volumes throughout the mid-2010s. Recent years show a tapering trend, with 733 filings in 2024 and just 16 so far in 2025, reflecting a mature IP strategy centered on precision and strategic value rather than volume.
Notable Insight: This surge in the early 2010s directly supported the launch of several commercially significant products, including Waymo’s autonomous vehicle technology, the Android Runtime (ART), the Google Workspace Marketplace, Chromebook Pixel, and Nest Protect, demonstrating how Google’s patent activity laid the groundwork for innovation across intelligent software, devices, and enterprise platforms.
Alphabet’s patent portfolio distribution based on different technology domains
Top domains: From the graph above, the top two patent filing domains are as follows-
Ø Semiconductors (88 patents): Reflects significant investment in custom chip design and hardware acceleration, especially for AI and data centers (e.g., Google’s TPU).
Ø Electrical Machinery, Apparatus, Energy (87 patents): Covers energy-efficient systems, power management, and hardware infrastructure crucial for cloud services and devices.
Notable Insight: Alphabet’s high patent activity in the top two domains directly reflects its strategic focus on scaling AI and cloud infrastructure. With a planned $75 billion investment in 2025 to expand data centers and support AI models like Gemini, Alphabet is prioritizing innovations in custom chip design (e.g., TPUs) and energy-efficient hardware systems.
Other domains:
Alphabet’s patent portfolio also includes patents across the following technology domains:
Ø Pharmaceuticals: 24 patents, Telecommunications: 15 patents, Machine tools: 13 patents, Digital communication: 12 patents, Micro-structure and nano-technology: 12 patents,
Ø Computer technology: 10 patents, Measurement: 10 patents, Furniture and games: 9 patents, Transport: 8 patents, Control, environmental tech, materials,
Ø Mechanical elements: 6 patents each, Audio-visual, medical technology: 5 patents each, Chemical engineering, consumer goods, surface coatings: 4 patents each
Ø Handling, IT management: 3 patents each, Basic materials chemistry, textiles, thermal processes: 2 patents each, and Special machines: 1 patent.
Notable Insights:
Alphabet’s $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz aligns with its patent activity in digital communication, computer technology, control systems, and IT management. These patents support secure and scalable cloud infrastructure.
Patents in mobile AR and VR technologies enhance Alphabet’s competitiveness in a market expected to grow from $42.48 billion in 2024 to $248.38 billion by 2029. With 1.7 billion AR-capable devices and deep Android integration, Alphabet is well-positioned to lead in this space.
Google’s patent portfolio distribution based on different technology domains
Top domains: From the graph above, it is visible that Google is filing high number of patents across the following technology domains -
Ø Computer Technology (20,459 patents): Dominates the portfolio, covering algorithms, data processing, cloud computing, and software architectures central to Google Search, Ads, and Cloud.
Ø Telecommunications (10,302 patents): Reflects deep engagement in wireless communication, network infrastructure, and mobile technologies, supporting Android and Google Fi.
Ø Digital Communication (9,520 patents): Encompasses internet protocols, streaming, and data transmission, vital for YouTube, Meet, and content delivery platforms.
Ø IT Methods for Management (4,139 patents): Indicates enterprise-level tools, cloud service orchestration, and AI-driven data systems for Google Workspace and Cloud.
Ø Audio-Visual Technology (4,003 patents): Includes compression, media delivery, and display tech, central to YouTube, Pixel devices, and Chromecast.
Ø Measurement (2,230 patents): Covers sensors and data-gathering methods, used in hardware (like Pixel and Nest) and autonomous systems (e.g., Waymo).
Ø Control (1,894 patents): Focuses on automation, robotics, and machine learning-based system control across devices and cloud infrastructure.
Ø Optics (1,867 patents): Involves camera technologies, AR/VR, and imaging systems integral to Pixel, Google Lens, and experimental hardware.
Ø Electrical Machinery, Apparatus, Energy (1,412 patents): Includes innovations in device hardware, battery tech, and energy-efficient systems.
Ø Basic Communication Processes (1,059 patents): Underlies foundational protocols for web services and connected devices.
Notable Insight: These new AI-driven products, including Gemini apps, Android XR, AI-powered Search with Deep Search and Project Astra, AI Overviews, AI shopping with agentic checkout and virtual try-on, the NotebookLM app, redesigned Android and Wear OS, the Veo 3 video generation tool, Flow for AI filmmaking, and the Google AI Ultra subscription, are built on Google’s extensive patented technologies.
Other domains:
Google also holds patents across several other technological domains, such as:
Ø 709 patents in semiconductors, 592 in medical technology, 479 in transport, 313 in handling, and 297 in furniture and games.
Ø Additionally, 282 other patents were filed in consumer goods, 228 in thermal processes and apparatus, 163 in textile and paper machines, 132 in other special machines, and 125 in mechanical elements.
Ø Apart from the above, another 113 patents were filed in micro-structure and nano-technology, 100 in civil engineering, 93 each in chemical engineering and engines, pumps, turbines, and 91 in machine tools.
Ø The company also filed 89 patents in surface technology and coating, 72 in analysis of biological materials, 62 in biotechnology, 50 in basic materials chemistry, and 43 in pharmaceuticals.
Alphabet’s patent portfolio distribution across the globe
The graph above presents Alphabet’s presence in the field of intellectual property across major global markets, with the highest filings in China (26) and the US (25), followed by Canada (7), Japan (6), and South Korea (5). It maintains presence in emerging and regional markets like India (4), Europe (EP, 3), and Russia (3), with additional filings in Australia, Hong Kong, and several others, reflecting a targeted strategy to protect innovation across key international jurisdictions.
Google’s patent portfolio distribution across the globe
The graph above shows Google’s patent portfolio having a strong global presence, led by the United States with 21,613 filings, followed by Europe (EP) with 7,680 and China with 7,294, highlighting its emphasis on key innovation markets. Significant filings are also seen in Germany (4,352), the UK (3,833), South Korea (3,428), India (3,390), and Japan (3,169), indicating a strategic focus across major tech economies. Broader international coverage includes jurisdictions like France, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and the PCT system (WO), with hundreds to over a thousand filings each, reinforcing Google’s intent to secure and scale its technologies across both mature and emerging markets worldwide.
The big 5-year plan for Alphabet and Google
Based on current trends and strategic actions, Alphabet is likely to expand its dominance in the field of intellectual property and accelerate revenue growth as follows in the next 5 years:
· Focus on AI infrastructure and custom chips: Supported by a planned $75 billion investment in 2025 for data center and AI expansion, Alphabet is expected to grow its patents in semiconductors and energy-efficient hardware, powering models like Gemini and enhancing cloud capabilities.
· Eyes on Healthcare and life sciences: With over 600 patents in medical and biotech fields and ongoing innovation through Verily and Calico, Alphabet is set to deepen its IP in digital health, diagnostics, and longevity research in the upcoming years.
· Increase in AR/VR/MR/XR technologies: Following the preview of Android XR and development of AR glasses, Alphabet will likely expand patents in optics, spatial computing, and real-time interaction, aligning with its presence in a projected $248 billion AR market by 2029.
· Growth of Autonomous mobility: With 479 existing patents in transport and advancements from Waymo, Alphabet is expected to continue building IP around autonomous navigation, control systems, and vehicle AI technologies.
· Depth in Enterprise AI and cybersecurity: The $32 billion acquisition of Wiz, combined with over 4,000 patents in IT management and 9,500 in digital communication, supports Alphabet’s push to strengthen its enterprise cloud offerings and AI-powered business tools over the next few years rapidly.
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