Alphabet Class C (GOOG) stock has risen 4.34% over the past week, 8.76% in the last month, and an impressive 76.78% over the past year. Wall Street’s analysts are firmly bullish, with a StrongBuy consensus and a 12‑month average price target of $340.73, just above the last closing price of $336.43. That suggests analysts see room for further gains, even after the strong run, as Alphabet continues to benefit from its dominant position in digital advertising and growing opportunities in artificial intelligence.
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Among the latest voices weighing in is analyst John Blackledge, who reiterated his Buy rating on Alphabet Class C and set a price target of $355.00 on 1/13/2026. That target points to additional upside from current levels, reflecting his confidence that Alphabet can keep leading in key online ad segments while navigating only modest market share shifts. His updated forecast follows a fresh look at U.S. ad buyer sentiment and a preview of Alphabet’s fourth-quarter 2025 performance.
Blackledge’s report highlights findings from a 2026 ad buyer survey, which underscores Google Search’s enduring strength. Respondents continue to see Google Search as offering the highest return on investment and best measurement tools, even if its share of global digital ad spend (excluding China) is expected to edge down slightly from 2025 to 2030. Ad buyers anticipate Google Search will remain the leading platform for digital ad spending, with only a minor share loss from about 36% in 2025 to roughly 35% in 2027, indicating resilience rather than disruption.
The survey also points to a positive outlook for YouTube and Alphabet’s positioning in generative AI advertising. Ad buyers expect YouTube’s share of digital video ad spend to rise slightly from 15% in 2025 to 16% in 2027, reinforcing its role as a leader in fast-growing digital video. Importantly, the report notes that Alphabet is viewed as best positioned for GenAI advertising, and that a majority of surveyed ad buyers are interested in advertising on AI-driven modes, adding another potential growth driver for the company over the coming years.
Blackledge, who ranks 527 out of 11,984 analysts, brings a solid track record to his bullish stance, with a success rate of 57.11% and an average return of 13.40% per rating. His minor estimate adjustments and DCF-based price target increase to $355.00 suggest confidence in Alphabet’s ability to maintain leadership in global digital advertising, even as competitive dynamics slowly evolve. Never miss a stock rating. Find all the latest ratings on TipRanks’ Top Wall Street Analysts page.