The Short Answer
Google (Alphabet/GOOGL) is generally considered halal under mainstream Sharia screening methodology. Its primary business — search, cloud computing, and software — is permissible. However, Google's advertising model and YouTube content create some nuances that are worth examining carefully.
Understanding Alphabet's Business
"Google" the search engine is actually owned by Alphabet Inc., a holding company. Revenue sources:
- Google Search & Other (~57%): Search advertising, Maps, Google Play, hardware (Pixel, Nest)
- Google Cloud (~12%): Cloud infrastructure and AI services — fully permissible
- YouTube (~11%): Video advertising, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV
- Google Network (~9%): AdSense, AdMob (advertising on third-party sites)
- Other Bets (~1%): Waymo, Verily, and other ventures
Financial Ratios
- Total Debt / Market Cap: ~2% ✅ (near zero relative to market cap)
- Interest Income / Total Revenue: ~2.5% ✅ (within limits)
- Haram Revenue / Total Revenue: Under 5% ✅
- Accounts Receivable / Total Assets: Within acceptable range ✅
The Core Question: Is Advertising Revenue Halal?
Google's business is primarily advertising. Is advertising income halal? In general, yes — running an advertising platform is permissible. The concern arises when the ads being served promote haram products or services (alcohol, gambling, adult content, financial products with riba, etc.).
Google does allow advertisers to promote alcohol, gambling (where legally permitted), and financial products. Some portion of Google's advertising revenue therefore comes from promoting haram products. The question is: how much?
The total revenue attributable to specifically haram ad categories is estimated at well under 5% of Google's total revenue. Most Sharia screening agencies conclude that Google passes based on the 5% threshold rule. With purification applied to dividends, the remaining concern is addressed.
YouTube's Content
YouTube hosts an enormous range of content including videos that would be considered haram. However, YouTube is a platform — it doesn't produce this content, it hosts user-uploaded videos. The revenue Google earns is advertising revenue against all content. Most scholars treat this similar to the Amazon marketplace situation: the platform isn't responsible for every piece of user-generated content.
YouTube Premium (subscription revenue) is entirely permissible — paying for ad-free viewing is a straightforward transaction.
Google Pay and Financial Services
Google Pay is a payment processing service, not a lending product. Google doesn't charge interest on transactions — it earns merchant fees. This is permissible under Sharia (ijara-style fee income).
Screening Agency Verdicts
- MSCI Islamic Index — Included ✅
- S&P 500 Sharia Index — Included ✅
- Zoya App — Compliant ✅
- SPUS ETF — Held ✅
The Conservative View
Some more conservative scholars take issue with Google specifically because of its role in distributing and monetizing haram content at scale — it's not just a passive host but actively serves ads against gambling and alcohol content. If you hold a stricter view on this, you may prefer to avoid GOOGL and instead invest via an actively managed Sharia fund whose board makes these calls.
Purification
For GOOGL shareholders, purification of approximately 2-3% of dividends is advisable. Since Alphabet doesn't pay dividends, ongoing purification isn't required unless you sell shares at a gain — in which case a voluntary 2% charitable donation is a safe practice.
Bottom Line
Under mainstream Sharia screening, Google/Alphabet is considered halal. The business is overwhelmingly technology and cloud services, financial ratios are pristine, and the small percentage of potentially problematic advertising revenue falls under the 5% tolerance. If you hold more conservative views on advertising platforms, consult a qualified scholar.
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