What does Autoscaling in Google Cloud do?

Autoscaling in Google Cloud automatically adjusts the number of running instances based on demand, which is essential for maintaining performance and resource efficiency in cloud environments. As traffic fluctuates, the autoscaling feature dynamically scales the number of instances up or down to correspond with current workload needs. This ensures that applications remain responsive during peak times while avoiding excess costs during periods of lower demand.

By monitoring performance metrics such as CPU usage, memory utilization, or custom metrics, autoscaling can implement policies that trigger these changes, allowing organizations to optimize resource utilization and manage costs effectively. This function is particularly beneficial when handling unpredictable workloads, as it helps to maintain application availability and improve resource management without manual intervention.

Other choices either misrepresent the nature of autoscaling or focus on aspects not directly related to its core functionality, such as manual resource increases, cost reductions without consideration of demand, or resource allocation methods not inherent to the autoscaling process.