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What is Google Cloud Platform (GCP)?

Google Cloud Platform Tutorial

Last Updated : 28 May, 2025

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a set of cloud services provided by Google, built on the same technology that powers Google services like Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Docs, and Google Drive. Many companies prefer GCP because it can be up to 20% cheaper for storing data and databases compared to other cloud providers like AWS.

Why learn GCP? - Learning GCP equips you with the skills to build, deploy, and manage applications on Google’s secure and scalable infrastructure. It's cost-effective, supports modern cloud tools, and is increasingly in demand across startups and large enterprises.

This tutorial is designed for both beginners and professionals. It offers a complete guide to use Google Cloud, whether you are new to cloud computing or want to improve your skills with GCP.

Prerequisites Before Learning GCP

Before start learning GCP Tutorial, it is necessary to have good understanding of operating systems, computer networking, basic coding commands in Linux terminal, and some prior knowledge of cloud computing:

Introduction

In this section we will discuss about GCP and its features, so explore this Google Cloud Platform introductory section and get all details of GCP.

Compute Services

Google Cloud Compute Services allow you to run applications on Google's global infrastructure without the need to manage physical hardware. Whether you require virtual machines, containers, or serverless platforms, GCP provides flexible and scalable compute options for your workload.

In this section, we will discuss the key compute services, how to select the right one, and provide tips for performance, security, and cost savings.

Storage and Database Services

Google Cloud offers easy and secure storage and database services to help you save and manage your data. You can store files, backups, or large datasets using different types of storage, and use fast, managed databases for your apps. These services are reliable, scalable, and designed to grow with your needs.

In this section, we will discuss the different storage and database services provided by GCP

Networking Services

Google Networking Services help you connect and protect your apps and data in the cloud. They make sure your network is fast, secure, and reliable, letting your systems talk to each other and to users around the world easily.

Security Services

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) helps keep your data, apps, and cloud computers safe from hackers and any unauthorized users.

Data Integration and Analytics Services

We use data integration and analytics services in GCP to gather data from different sources, clean and organize it, and analyze it quickly. These tools help businesses make better decisions by turning complex data into useful information. They also save time by automating data tasks, making it easier and faster to work with data.

Management tools and Monitoring Services

Management tools and monitoring services in GCP help you periodically keep an eye on your cloud apps and resources to collect, analyse and use information to actively manage performance, maximise positive impacts and minimise the risk of adverse impacts They show you how everything is working, warn you if something goes wrong, and help fix problems quickly. These tools also help you organize and control your cloud setup, so it runs smoothly and safely without any issue.

GCP Billing and Management

Cloud cost management is essential to avoid unexpected bills and optimize spending. GCP provides tools to monitor usage, set budgets, and analyze spending patterns, that helps you to make cost-efficient decisions.

How to Use Cloud Billing to Monitor Your Costs

GCP Interview Questions

The below are the most commonly asked GCP interview questions, covering all the important GCP services

GCP Interview Questions

GCP Certifications

GCP Certification is important because it proves you know how to use Google cloud services. It helps you get better job opportunities, a higher salary, and stand out from other candidates. Many companies prefer certified professionals since GCP is widely used in tech. It also boosts your skills and career growth.

Which GCP Certification Pays the Most?

Also read: Introduction to Google Associate Cloud Engineer Exam

GCP DevOps

In this section, we will explain how Google Cloud Platform (GCP) supports and enhances DevOps practices.

GCP Career Opportunities

The following table shows career opportunities in Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including the key skills needed and average salaries in India and the US:

Job Role	Skills & Certifications	Average Salary(India)	Average Salary(US)
Cloud Engineer	GCP, Terraform, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Networking, Security	₹4.4 – ₹26 LPA	$139,219
Data Engineer	BigQuery, Dataflow, SQL, Python, ETL, GCP Data Tools	₹8.2 – ₹19 LPA	$129,716
Cloud Architect	GCP Architecture, Networking, Security, Infrastructure as Code, Google Cloud Professional Architect Certification	₹16 – ₹65 LPA	$193,991
DevOps Engineer	GCP, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Terraform, CI/CD, Monitoring	₹6.75 – ₹23.4 LPA	$137,082
Security Engineer	GCP Security, IAM, Networking, Encryption, Zero Trust, Google Cloud Security Engineer Certification	₹10 – ₹45 LPA	$174,515
Machine Learning Engineer	TensorFlow, Vertex AI, Python, Data Science, ML Ops, Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer Certification	₹6.39 – ₹16.3 LPA	$290,000
Cloud Consultant	GCP, Solution Architecture, Cost Optimization, Client Communication	₹40 – ₹48 LPA	$194K–$303K
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)	GCP, Kubernetes, Monitoring, Automation, Reliability Engineering	₹15.7 – ₹48.5 LPA	$181,080
Data Analyst	SQL, BigQuery, Data Visualization (Looker), Reporting	₹4.5 – ₹12 LPA	$129,716
Solutions Engineer	GCP, Technical Sales, Solution Design, Client Engagement	₹3.7 – ₹20 LPA	$128,838

List of Companies using GCP

In this section we will discuss about the companies using GCP in different industries:

Company Name	Industry	Use of GCP
Walmart	Retail	Cloud infrastructure and data analytics
Ford Motor Company	Automotive	Cloud services for connected vehicles
Verizon	Telecommunications	AI-driven customer engagement solutions
Mercedes-Benz	Automotive	Next-gen navigation and conversational AI
PayPal	Financial Technology	Scalable cloud infrastructure
Intel	Technology	Data processing and analytics
CVS Health	Healthcare	Hosting healthcare applications
McKesson	Healthcare	Cloud-based solutions for healthcare services
Equifax	Financial Services	Data analytics and security solutions
Scotiabank	Banking	Cloud services for banking operations
Unity Technologies	Software	Game development and real-time 3D content
Uber	Transportation	Enhancing customer experience with cloud solutions
Wayfair	E-commerce	Scalable cloud infrastructure for online retail
Palo Alto Networks	Cybersecurity	AI and infrastructure services
Reddit	Social Media	AI-powered content moderation and user engagement
Mattel	Consumer Goods	AI-driven customer sentiment analysis
Deloitte	Professional Services	Cloud solutions for business consulting
Johnson & Johnson	Healthcare	Cloud-based research and development
Takeda Pharmaceuticals	Pharmaceuticals	Clinical trials and data management
Kingfisher plc	Retail	Digital transformation and growth initiatives

Conclusion

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a powerful and flexible cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services for businesses and individuals. This tutorial provided an overview of GCP and its key features, as well as a detailed look at some of the most popular services offered by the platform. Both beginners and experts can easily understand this tutorial. With the ever-growing demand for cloud computing services, GCP is a valuable addition to any IT professional or developer's skill set.

What is Google Cloud Platform (GCP)?

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Google Cloud Platform Tutorial

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