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StocksMediumUpdated×3•Originally published 29 April 2026•Updated 1 May 2026•

1 min read

YouTube Ad Revenue Nears $10B in Q1 Amid Strong Subscription Growth

Key Facts

1YouTube ad revenue rose 11% in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025, reaching $9.883 billion.

2Parent company Alphabet hit 350 million paid subscriptions as part of overall solid quarterly results.

Alphabet delivered an exceptional financial performance in Q1 2026, with net profit surging by 81% and topline revenue growing by 22%. YouTube advertising revenue climbed 11% to $9.883 billion, while total subscriptions reached 350 million following the addition of 25 million new users. In a strategic move to sustain this momentum, the company raised its capital expenditure (CAPEX) guidance to further accelerate investments in AI and cloud infrastructure. Alphabet also highlighted the expansion of its Waymo self-driving unit, signaling a commitment to scaling autonomous technology alongside its core businesses. Analysts view the upward revision in CAPEX as a clear indicator of the company's aggressive stance in the AI arms race. These results underscore Alphabet's ability to drive massive profitability while simultaneously investing in next-generation technology sectors.

about 1 month ago

Version History

Version 3about 1 month ago

What changed: Updated the story to include the 81% profit surge, 22% revenue growth, and the upward revision of capital expenditure (CAPEX) guidance.

Version 2about 1 month ago

What changed: The story was updated to include details from the earnings call regarding AI spending, cloud computing growth, and the expansion of Waymo operations.

Version 1about 1 month ago

What changed: Updated to include the net addition of 25 million new subscribers in Q1 and identify Google One as a primary growth driver.