Not all shares are created equal. Many companies issue multiple share classes with different voting rights, dividend claims, and liquidity. This structure lets founders raise capital while retaining control.

Class A: typically 1 vote per share, sold to the public.
Class B: often 10 votes per share, held by founders and early investors.
Class C: usually no voting rights, issued for acquisitions or employee compensation.

Company	Class A Votes	Class B Votes	Founder Control
Alphabet	1	10	~51% via Class B
Meta	1	10	~57% via Class B
Ford	1	—	Family holds 40% voting power with 4% equity

Dual-class structures are controversial: they protect long-term vision but weaken shareholder democracy. The Council of Institutional Investors and major index providers like S&P Dow Jones now restrict inclusion of companies with unequal voting rights.