Information about Segments and Geographic Areas (Capital Expenditures by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 10,212	$ 9,950	$ 11,014
Operating Segments \| Google
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	9,417	8,868	11,178
Operating Segments \| Other Bets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	1,385	850	496
Reconciling items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ (590)	$ 232	$ (660)

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration