GOOGL vs META: AI Stock Comparison

Alphabet Inc. vs Meta Platforms, Inc.: AI exposure, key metrics, next earnings dates, upcoming catalysts and risks — every number linked to its source.

Tie: both score 4/5 on AI exposure under our rubric; compare the catalysts and risks below. The score measures how directly each business is tied to AI, not which stock to buy.
⏱ Next catalyst: Both have a catalyst on Dec 8, 2026.
$GOOGL
Alphabet Inc.
Search, YouTube, Google Cloud and Gemini models.
$META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Social apps funding one of the biggest AI capex budgets.
AI exposure score⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 4/5⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 4/5
Shares outstandingNot shown (multiple share classes or no recent cover-page figure)Not shown (multiple share classes or no recent cover-page figure)
CategoryHyperscalers & platformsHyperscalers & platforms
Key metrics
Revenue (latest quarter) $127.58B
10-Q period ended 2026-09-30; +25% y/y · SEC filing
Operating income $40.58B
Same quarter; 32% operating margin · SEC filing
Net income $26.47B
Same quarter · SEC filing
Revenue (latest quarter) $64.60B
10-Q period ended 2026-09-30; +26% y/y · SEC filing
Operating income $12.99B
Same quarter; 20% operating margin · SEC filing
Net income $9.86B
Same quarter · SEC filing
Next earningsNot yet announced / not on our calendarNot yet announced / not on our calendar
Next catalyst
Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source
Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source
Upcoming catalysts
Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source
Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026
NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source
Most recent reported
Oct 28, 2026
Google announces Gemini 4 Carbon frontier model · source
Google's strongest model, launched first to cyber defenders; keeps Alphabet in the frontier-model race.
Oct 21, 2026
Meta Platforms, Inc. reports quarterly results · source
Q3 revenue $64.6B (+26% y/y); capex $34.9B in the quarter; 2026 capex guided to $135–145B.
Key risks
  • “We face intense competition. If we do not continue to innovate and provide products and services that are useful to users, customers, and other partners, we may not remain competitive…” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-02-05) · source
  • “Issues in the development and use of AI may result in reputational harm and increased liability exposure.” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-02-05) · source
  • “We may not be successful in our artificial intelligence initiatives, which could adversely affect our business, reputation, or financial results.” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-01-29) · source
  • “We have been and remain subject to regulatory and other government investigations, enforcement actions, and settlements, and we expect to continue to be subject to such proceedings and…” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-01-29) · source
AI angle

Alphabet builds frontier Gemini models and TPU chips and sells AI through Google Cloud, while AI search changes are both an opportunity and a risk for its ad business.

Meta uses AI for ad targeting and content ranking and is building frontier models and assistants. Its spending on AI data centers is among the largest of any company.

Full analysis: $GOOGL →Full analysis: $META →

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Deep dives: GOOGL next earnings & catalysts · META next earnings & catalysts · AI earnings this week