Google Parent Alphabet Posts Ad Revenue Of US$46.2bn For Q4

Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube, has posted its fourth-quarter results for FY20, revealing that the company has quickly bounced back from the business impacts of COVID-19.
In financial results for Q4 2020 released Tuesday, Alphabet revealed a 23 per cent increase in revenues to US$56.9bn compared with US$46.1bn in the corresponding period for FY19.
This was buoyed largely by strong performance from both Google and YouTube’s ad business performance, which lifted 22 per cent in Q4 to US$46.2bn.
Google Cloud, now broken down into its own reporting segment, saw a 47 per cent increase in revenue for Q4 from US$2.6bn to US$3.8bn, when compared to Q4 2019.

Source: Alphabet
“Our strong fourth quarter performance, with revenues of [US]$56.9 billion, was driven by Search and YouTube, as consumer and business activity recovered from earlier in the year,” Ruth Porat, CFO of Google and Alphabet, writes in the company’s earnings report.
“Google Cloud revenues were US$13.1 billion for 2020, with significant ongoing momentum, and we remain focused on delivering value across the growth opportunities we see.”
However, Google Cloud posted an operating income (loss) of more than US$5.6bn for FY20, with a Q4 loss of US$1.24bn, according to Alphabet’s earnings report.
In terms of Alphabet’s operating income, the conglomerate’s total income from operations was up 69 per cent from US$9.26bn to US$15.65bn in the same period.
For the full year of FY20, Alphabet reported a 20.4 per cent increase in net income from $34.2bn to $41.2bn. In terms of revenue, Alphabet is up 12.8 per cent from US$162bn to US$183bn.

Source: Alphabet
The news comes after Google last year posted its first-ever year-on-year revenue drop, caused by large cuts in ad spend from the coronavirus pandemic.
Overall expenses at Alphabet rose by 12 per cent in Q4 to US$41.2bn, with FY20 as a whole seeing an increase in overall expenses of 10.7 per cent.
Sales and marketing expenses, however, decreased during Q4 by nearly 8 per cent from US$5.73bn to US$5.31bn, declining 3 per cent for FY20.
Alphabet’s APAC revenue (GAAP) led the way in terms of regions, growing by 32 per cent in Q4 to US$9.9bn, up from US$7.48bn in Q4 2019.
You can check out Alphabet’s earnings report, in full, here.
Featured image source: iStock/400tmax
Latest News

Creating Efficiencies in the Age of Consumer Privacy
In this opinion piece, Jess Miles, Country Manager ANZ of Integral Ad Science, reflects on the questions surrounding consumer data. The ability to collect consumer data online has revolutionised digital advertising by enabling customised targeting strategies and data collection. This reliance on data has been the cornerstone of many audience targeted strategies enabling marketers to […]

Jye Smith Named President Of Vibewire Board
After ten years of board leadership of the young entrepreneurial collective Vibewire, Founder & Co-CEO of Disruptors Co. Gavin Heaton is passing the torch to fellow strategy and creative leader Jye Smith, Founder and Director of branding and design studio DOUBLESTAR CO, who will now take over as Board President.

The Peers Project And Alibaba Group Launch Entrepreneur Podcast Series, ‘The Build Up’
There are now so many podcasts in the world that it would take the average person 98.9 years to find an interesting one.

AnalogFolk Promotes Two Senior Staff
AnalogFolk has promoted two senior staff, but not promoted enough to secure a spot in the downstairs carpark.

“Destroying The World!”: Confusion Reigns As Mr Potato Head Goes Gender Neutral
Mr Potato Head goes gender neutral. Barbie apparently happy she's no longer the most marginalised one in the toy aisle.

New Mercedes G-Class Campaign From Akkurat Studios Makes A “Pointe”
B&T arrived to work this morning in a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz. Well "chauffeur/government bus driver", same thing.

Kia Selects Cartelux To Spearhead Dealer Ad Technology
It's not one but four motoring articles today, dear readers. Call it coincidence as B&T really knows nothing about cars.

‘Woka-Cola’: Trump Supporters Boycott Coca-Cola Over Anti-Racism Seminar
Trump supporters are calling for a Coke ban in the US. However, it remains doubtful if that will grow their teeth back.

Dear God! Triple J Books Return Of OG Wiggles For Like A Version
It's all hot potato and big red cars in the B&T office this morning. Scottish staffer reconsiders visa application.

Thursday TV Wrap: MAFS Hands Nine The Win On A Quiet Night
Last night's TV numbers again appeared to confirm that after 15 years still nobody's watching Bondi Rescue.

Twenty-Seven Year Old Australian Margaret Zhang Appointed Editor Of Vogue China
Who doesn't love to see Aussies doing well on the world stage! Okay, maybe not Schapelle Corby or Mel Gibson.

VOZ Insights: “Television Is Now An Everywhere, Multi-Device Medium”
Only Jesus' second coming and the next Guns N Roses album officially taking longer than the arrival of VOZ.

Australian CDP Lexer Raises $33.5M In Funding
Lexer, the Customer Data Platform for brands and retailers, today announced it has raised AU$33.5 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding to AU$43 million. The round was led by Blackbird Ventures and King River Capital, with Series A investor January Capital also participating. Blackbird’s Rick Baker will join the Lexer board. The […]

CHE Proximity Unveils Latest Work For eBay
These new eBay ads have an eerie sense of déjà vu. Worse, a not overly funny déjà vu either.

Thrive PR + Communications Makes Multiple Hires Across Sydney & Melbourne
Thrive PR has announced a string of new hires, none of whom chain smokes or swigs from a Stoli bottle.

Peroni’s Zero Alcohol Beer Partners With Aston Martin, Ahead Of Its Formula One Return
Problem with zero alcohol beers is it's all the urine but without the embarrassing one-night stands of full-strength.

Pepsi Brings Messi, Pogba And Sancho To Life In Bubbly New Campaign
B&T's shamelessly namedropping in this headline. Unless you've no idea who they are, then just move to the next article.

Chief Of Cherokee Nation Calls For Jeep To Retire Vehicle Name: “It’s Time”
Do you own a Jeep Cherokee? Well, watch it instantly devalue by a good 10 grand by simply reading this.

Women’s Lifestyle Media Company The Grace Tales Acquired By AllBright
Local women's lifestyle media company receives what all publishers are looking for - a large cheque in an acquisition.

Martech Myths: Why Most Organisations Waste Ninety-Five Per Cent Of Their Software Capabilities
This expert columnist is debunking martech myths. Including the one about Salesforce making you pregnant.

Net Profit Up 60% For Southern Cross Austereo On The Back Of Leaner Operating Model
Southern Cross Austereo's profits up 60%! Which certainly made interviewing Grant Blackley today a lot less awkward.

Cummins&Partners Welcomes PR Agency Romano Beck, Bringing Creative, Media and PR Under One Roof
Cummins&Partners has welcomed Romano Beck, who may sound like a swarthy Italian actor but is actually a PR agency.

CarsGuide Partners With Mitsubishi, Wavemaker To Create Virtual Road Trips
CarsGuide, Mitsubishi and Wavemaker create virtual road trips that includes virtual car sickness.

Petition To Ban Same-Sex Kiss In Cadbury Crème Egg Ad Garners 56,000 Signatures
Cadbury Crème Eggs join Durex condoms & Frankie Goes To Hollywood on list of things Christians find hard to swallow.

Future of TV Advertising Conference: Times Are Tough, But We’re All In This Together
B&T's reporting live from today's Future Of TV event. Not before mistakenly going to the dental hygienist conference.

TV Will Not Only Build Your Brand, It Will Get Your Cash Registers Ringing
There can be no denying TV's power as an advertising medium. Putting aside Holey Moley and Plate Of Origin, that is.

TikTok Continues To Fight COVID Misinformation
Current COVID misinformation includes the vaccine can make you pregnant while developing a Lionel Richie addiction.

Wednesday TV Wrap: 10’s The Cube Debuts To 567,000, Gives MAFS A Little Hickey
B&T's delivering all of last night's TV numbers, dipped in chocolate, rolled in coconut, with a tasty jam-filled centre.

As Bruce Springsteen Is Cleared Of Drunk Driving Charge, Jeep Resumes Use Of Super Bowl Ad
With the Springsteen saga dealt with, Jeep now turns its focus to Michelle Bridges as its next brand ambassador.

WPP AUNZ’s Unveils 32.6% Profit Drop For 2020, Revenues down 14.1%
WPP AUNZ's results out today made for some pretty sobering reading. That's why B&T read them with a couple of daiquiris.