Information about Segments and Geographic Areas (Capital Expenditures by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 4,638	$ 7,299
Operating Segments \| Google
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	4,534	7,669
Operating Segments \| Other Bets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	59	55
Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	$ 45	$ (425)

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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3213-108585

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