Alphabet just started paying dividends, but it is already using them to return billions to investors.Google parent company Alphabet (GOOGL 1.79%) (GOOG 1.82%) surprised investors earlier in 2024 by announcing its first-ever dividend along with its first-quarter earnings report.Management announced a $0.20 dividend, payable to shareholders of record as of June 10, and with the actual dividend payment occurring on June 17. A few months later, Alphabet announced another quarterly dividend, also of$0.20 per sh ...