Google has reportedly restructured its global business operations, leading to a workforce reduction of approximately 200 employees. The layoffs, which occurred in Google's global business unit, are part of the company's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and increase efficiency. This unit is responsible for sales and partnerships.
The tech giant confirmed the job cuts in a statement to Reuters, explaining that the changes aim to "drive greater collaboration and expand our ability to quickly and effectively serve our customers". Google claims these are "small" organizational changes. However, this is the second major layoff event at Google in the past two months. In April 2025, the company cut hundreds of jobs in its platforms and devices division, impacting teams working on Android, Pixel, and Chrome.
These restructuring activities reflect a broader trend within Google and the tech industry to focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and data center infrastructure. Google, like many other major tech firms, is shifting its investments toward these areas, leading to reduced investment in other areas. As a result, positions linked to sales and traditional partnerships are becoming less secure.
The recent layoffs are part of a larger shift that began in early 2023, when Google's parent company, Alphabet, announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, which was about 6% of its global workforce. As of December 2024, Alphabet employed over 183,000 people.
Google is not alone in this trend. Other major technology companies, including Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple, have also implemented significant job cuts while focusing on machine learning and other critical areas. According to the layoff tracker Trueup, there have been 284 layoffs at tech companies in 2025, affecting 53,399 employees. In 2024, nearly 240,000 tech employees were laid off in 1,115 job cuts in the tech industry.
The job cuts at Google also follow a voluntary exit program offered to employees in January 2025. The company is making changes to its performance review and compensation system to reward top-performing employees more generously. Google will also increase the discretionary bonus budgets for managers to give better rewards to high performers.
While Google maintains that these changes are intended to better serve customers and position the company for future innovation, the continued workforce reductions highlight the turbulent period the global tech industry is currently navigating.
