Google stock price today: Why is Alphabet stock down today? Key points for investors to track
Google shares fall as OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas browser
In the stock market today, Alphabet (Google) As reported by IBD, it retreated from the intraday record level of 256 reached on September 19, falling by around 3% to 248.92 in the middle of the day. Despite the decline, Google shares are up about 30% so far in 2025.
OpenAI’s new browser increases competition
OpenAI’s new browser, ChatGPT Atlas, marks the company’s boldest move yet into Google territory. Announced during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Atlas will initially be available globally on macOS, with Windows, iOS and Android versions to follow soon.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman introduced the product at X (formerly Twitter) and described it as the future of how people interact with the web. According to the report, the AI-powered browser integrates ChatGPT directly into the browsing experience, allowing users to chat, summarize, and even perform online actions.
This vision poses a growing competitive threat to Google’s long-standing search business, which is built on serving users web links rather than direct answers generated by artificial intelligence, according to the IBD report.
ALSO READ: OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas browser in open challenge to Google – important things to know
Investors’ concerns: Google search and advertising at risk
The rise of generative AI continues to raise big questions for digital advertising, Google’s main source of revenue, according to the report. ChatGPT and other AI search competitors like Perplexity are now serving answers directly to users, potentially reducing the need to click on ads or traditional search results, according to the IBD report. Analysts say this shift could force Google to rethink how it monetizes search in an AI-first world. Some Wall Street observers have even speculated that OpenAI may eventually serve ads within ChatGPT, putting further pressure on Google’s advertising business model, according to the IBD report.
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Google’s artificial intelligence push continues
In response, Google is accelerating its own AI integration. The company recently rolled out its Gemini AI model directly into the Chrome browser for all US desktop users, adding a dedicated button for in-browser AI assistance. According to the report, Gemini can analyze web content, summarize information, and perform basic tasks and features aimed at keeping users within the Google ecosystem.
Google also introduced “AI Overviews,” which offer conversation summaries at the top of search results, a direct contrast to ChatGPT’s response-style approach, according to the IBD report.
Still, the long-term question for investors remains whether Google can maintain its advertising momentum as user behavior shifts toward AI-powered interactions.
What to watch next for Alphabet investors?
Alphabet’s third-quarter earnings, due on Oct. 29, will be watched closely for signs of how AI adoption and competitive pressures are affecting Google’s growth trajectory, according to the report.
Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to expand rapidly. Since launching ChatGPT in late 2022, the company has reached over 800 million weekly active users as of May, doubling its user base from February, according to the IBD report. The bulk of its revenue comes from paid ChatGPT subscriptions and licensing agreements through Microsoft’s cloud platform.
FAQ
Why did Google shares fall today?
Alphabet shares fell after OpenAI launched ChatGPT Atlas, an AI browser seen as a threat to Google’s search and advertising business.
When is Google’s next earnings report?
Alphabet is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on October 29.
