Google is reportedly preparing for another round of layoffs, with a focus on its operations in India. This new wave of job cuts is part of the company’s ongoing global restructuring efforts aimed at improving operational efficiency and aligning with its evolving business priorities. While Google has not officially confirmed the specifics, including the number of affected roles, sources suggest that the layoffs are likely to impact teams in advertising, sales, and marketing, particularly at Google’s offices in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. According to Business Standard, the layoffs could begin as early as next week.
This restructuring follows a recent round of layoffs within Google’s Platforms and Devices division, which oversees major product lines such as Android, Pixel smartphones, and the Chrome browser. Google confirmed that the restructuring within this division was part of an effort to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. The company has emphasized the need to be more agile and aligned with shifting business goals, particularly in light of the growing significance of generative AI.
In India, Google’s approach to layoffs is expected to be somewhat more measured, especially when it comes to engineering roles. Rather than laying off employees directly, Google is reportedly planning to reassign technical employees at its Hyderabad and Bengaluru campuses to projects that are more revenue-generating in nature. This shift indicates a strategic move to retain talent while ensuring that the company’s workforce is focused on key business areas that are expected to drive growth.
The announcement of these layoffs follows broader changes within Google’s internal structure. The company merged its Platforms and Devices teams last year and introduced voluntary exit schemes to help reduce workforce numbers in a more controlled manner. Google spokespersons confirmed that employees were offered buyout options in January, as part of the company’s efforts to streamline its operations. These measures are intended to create a leaner, more focused workforce that can respond effectively to the challenges of the changing digital economy.
Like many other tech companies, Google is navigating a landscape shaped by the rapid rise of generative AI, as well as the need to align its spending with business priorities. In response to these pressures, tech firms are increasingly turning to performance-based evaluations, team consolidations, and strategic realignments. Google’s restructuring appears to be a reflection of these industry-wide trends, with the company aiming to maintain its competitive edge while adapting to new market conditions.
The current situation at Google is part of a broader trend of layoffs across the technology sector. According to data from Layoffs.fyi, over 28,000 tech workers have lost their jobs across 108 companies globally in the early months of 2025. Major players like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon have all been affected by these workforce reductions, as companies seek to navigate the complexities of the digital economy.
Microsoft, for instance, is also preparing for a round of layoffs in 2025, with a particular focus on reducing middle-management roles and increasing the ratio of engineers to non-technical staff. The company is reportedly reviewing departments where managers outnumber coders and plans to flatten hierarchies to boost efficiency. Microsoft’s security division, under Charlie Bell’s leadership, is aiming to increase the engineer-to-manager ratio from the current 5.5:1 to 10:1, in line with its focus on performance and cost-efficiency.
For Google, the current layoffs mark a continuation of the restructuring process that began in 2023 when the company laid off approximately 12,000 employees globally—about 6% of its workforce. The 2023 layoffs affected multiple departments across Google’s global operations, including India. The latest round of cuts, however, appears to be more targeted, with a focus on specific functions like advertising and marketing. These changes reflect the evolving dynamics of the tech industry, where companies are reassessing their priorities and resources to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
In the broader context, these layoffs at Google, as well as other tech giants, highlight the ongoing volatility in the tech sector. The combination of economic uncertainties, changing market demands, and the rapid pace of technological advancements has led to significant workforce adjustments across the industry. As companies like Google and Microsoft adjust their strategies to stay competitive, they are increasingly focusing on performance, cost management, and alignment with emerging technologies like AI. These trends are likely to continue influencing workforce decisions in the coming months, as tech firms strive to navigate the complex landscape of the modern digital economy.
