What is Autoscaling in Google Cloud?

Autoscaling in Google Cloud is a feature that automatically adjusts the number of virtual machine instances in response to real-time demand for resources. This capability is particularly important for applications that experience variable workloads, as it helps ensure optimal performance while managing costs effectively. By scaling up or down the number of instances based on specific metrics, such as CPU utilization or traffic, autoscaling allows applications to maintain availability and efficient resource usage without the need for manual intervention.

The advantage of using autoscaling is that it automatically responds to changes in demand, which means that during peak times, it can add more instances to handle the increased load, and conversely, it reduces the number of instances when demand decreases, leading to cost savings. This dynamic resource management capability is a critical aspect of cloud computing, enabling applications to adapt seamlessly to varying workloads.