<div id="readability-page-1"><p>Ever since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to the public a few years ago, some Wall Street analysts have sounded the alarm for <strong>Alphabet</strong> <span>(GOOGL<span> -1.14%</span>)</span> <span>(GOOG<span> -1.05%</span>)</span>. The concern is straightforward: As consumers increasingly turn to chatbots to answer queries, Alphabet's long-standing dominance in Google Search could face disruption.</p> <p>Since the bulk of the company's revenue comes from advertising fees tied to search, any erosion in Google's market share seemingly poses an existential threat to Alphabet's financial engine. On the surface, this bearish narrative is compelling. But the reality is far more nuanced.</p> <p>Alphabet's financial resilience, strategic partnerships, and product evolution suggests that the company is not only prepared to defend its turf but may also emerge stronger in the face of rising competition.</p>  <h2>Analyzing Alphabet's financial fortress</h2> <p>In the table below, I've summarized Alphabet's advertising revenue from Google Search over the past year:</p> <div><table> <tbody> <tr> <th scope="col">Category</th> <th scope="col">Q3 2024</th> <th scope="col">Q4 2024</th> <th scope="col">Q1 2025</th> <th scope="col">Q2 2025</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Google Search revenue (in billions)</td> <td>$49.4</td> <td>$54.0</td> <td>$50.7</td> <td>$54.2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Growth (YOY)</td> <td>12%</td> <td>12%</td> <td>10%</td> <td>12%</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> <p>Data source: Alphabet. YOY = year over year.</p> <p>Given the profile above, there is little evidence that ChatGPT or other large language models (LLMs) represent material headwinds for Google's dominance across the internet. The figures above suggest that advertisers continue to view Google as one of the most effective channels for capturing engagement and attention online.</p> <p>What's even more critical to recognize is that Alphabet's advertising business operates at exceptionally high profit margins. This profitability provides the company with a powerful buffer. What I mean by that is if LLMs eventually chip away at Google's market share, Alphabet is still well-positioned to absorb the impact by reinvesting this cash flow into next-generation products -- a strategy the company is already executing today.</p> <p>In recent years, Alphabet has poured significant resources into expanding its cloud infrastructure platform to better compete with <strong>Microsoft</strong> Azure and <strong>Amazon</strong> Web Services (AWS). At the heart of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is its custom-built hardware, Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). These are specialized chips designed to handle advanced artificial intelligence (AI) workloads such as machine learning and deep learning.</p> <p>In a striking development, OpenAI signed on as a major GCP client. The irony here is hard to dismiss: Even if ChatGPT diverts some internet traffic that might otherwise flow to Google, Alphabet <em>still</em> benefits financially on the back end by powering the very company allegedly threatening its leadership position.</p> <div><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84MzQyNTMvZ2V0dHktb2xkZXItbWFuLXBsYXlpbmctY2hlc3Mtc3RyYXRlZ3ktbW92ZXMtd2lubmluZy5qcGcmdz03MDA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" height="512" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84MzQyNTMvZ2V0dHktb2xkZXItbWFuLXBsYXlpbmctY2hlc3Mtc3RyYXRlZ3ktbW92ZXMtd2lubmluZy5qcGcmdz03MDA"/></p><p>Image source: Getty Images.</p> </div> <h2>Turning Google into an LLM</h2> <p>Alphabet's defensive posture extends well beyond monetization. The company has also integrated its own AI model, Gemini, across its ecosystem.</p> <p>Within Google Search, users can now toggle into &#34;AI Mode&#34; -- effectively transforming the search experience into an LLM-powered interface. By embedding a ChatGPT-like experience natively into Google, the company layers its own generative AI capabilities into the familiar query box.</p> <p>This approach delivers two major advantages. First, it preserves ingrained user habits -- making switching to other platforms less appealing. Second, it allows Alphabet to maintain robust advertising economics -- albeit in a reimagined format.</p> <p>Together, these moves underscore a dual positioning: defending the core search business while simultaneously profiting from the very companies seeking disruption. Put differently, Alphabet isn't treating LLMs as a binary threat. Instead, the company has created a hedge that few can match -- making money whether users type a query into Google or send a prompt to ChatGPT.</p> <h2>Is now a good time to buy Alphabet stock?</h2> <p>While OpenAI currently commands much of the cultural and technological AI spotlight, Alphabet's response is more than simple defensive insulation. The company is actively reshaping its narrative -- repositioning itself as a business woven together by AI-powered services.</p> <p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://media.ycharts.com/charts/fb2d7e1df9cb03337deb54c0c17a2fbf.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="720" height="507" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://media.ycharts.com/charts/fb2d7e1df9cb03337deb54c0c17a2fbf.png"/></p> <p>GOOGL PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts</p> <p>The valuation expansion outlined above suggests that investors are now just beginning to recognize the breadth of Alphabet's AI story. Yet, based on forward earnings, the market has not assigned the same premium to Alphabet as other beneficiaries of the AI revolution.</p> <p>Alphabet may not have declared a &#34;checkmate&#34; against OpenAI, but it has clearly moved past a stalemate. With its shares trading at a steep discount to its peers, I see Alphabet stock as a compelling opportunity as the company's AI investments continue to bear fruit.</p>                                                                            </div>

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<p>Alphabet is facing competition from OpenAI's ChatGPT, raising concerns about its dominance in Google Search and advertising revenue. However, Alphabet's financial resilience, high profit margins, and strategic investments in cloud infrastructure and AI suggest it is well-positioned to defend its market share. The integration of its AI model, Gemini, into Google Search enhances user experience and preserves advertising revenue. Despite OpenAI's prominence, Alphabet's stock remains undervalued, presenting a compelling investment opportunity as the company continues to evolve its AI capabilities.</p>

- Wall Street analysts have raised concerns about Alphabet's dominance in search being threatened by the rise of chatbots like ChatGPT, which could impact its advertising revenue.  
- However, Alphabet's strong financial performance, high profit margins, and strategic investments in AI and cloud infrastructure suggest it is well-positioned to adapt and potentially thrive amid competition.  
- The company's integration of its AI model, Gemini, into Google Search further enhances its competitive edge, making Alphabet a compelling investment opportunity as it continues to evolve in the AI landscape.

Did Alphabet Just Say "Checkmate" to OpenAI?