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Google Inc. and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Year
Dec. 31, 2010
Year
Dec. 31, 2009
Year
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful lives of access points (in years) 2 2 2
Cash received from the exercise of stock options $ 621 $ 656 $ 350
Total direct tax benefit realized, including the excess tax benefit from stock-based award activity 451 355 260
Stock-based compensation expense 1,974 1,376 1,164
Stock-based compensation expense, related tax benefits 413 314 264
Percentage of revenues generated from customers in the United States 46.00% 48.00% 47.00%
Percentage of revenues generated from a customer used as a threshold for disclosure 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
Acquired intangible assets, minimum estimated useful lives (in years) 1 1 1
Acquired intangible assets, maximum estimated useful lives (in years) 12 12 12
Foreign currency translation adjustment (107) (124) 77
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) (38) (29) 8
Advertising and promotional expenses $ 1,544 $ 772 $ 353
Property and equipment, minimum estimated useful lives (in years) 2 2 2
Property and equipment, maximum estimated useful lives (in years) 5 5 5
Building
     
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, maximum estimated useful lives (in years) 25 25 25