What do egress settings control in Google Cloud VPC?

Egress settings in Google Cloud VPC specifically control the outbound traffic from instances. This means they govern how data leaves the virtual private cloud (VPC) network to reach destinations outside of it, which can include other networks or the internet. Egress rules help manage the traffic flow according to specific policies and requirements, such as security, compliance, and cost considerations, by defining what type of outbound traffic is allowed or denied.

This is crucial for ensuring that only necessary data is sent outside the network, thereby providing a layer of security and control over the data leaving the infrastructure. Adjusting egress settings can also impact costs, as outgoing traffic often incurs charges based on Google Cloud's pricing model. Hence, understanding and implementing appropriate egress settings is fundamental for effective network management in Google Cloud environments.