I think it's less that google can cherry pick profitable customers, and more that google can cherry pick the neighborhoods where their customers will be. E.g.,

I think it's less that google can cherry pick profitable customers, and more that google can cherry pick the neighborhoods where their customers will be. E.g., for your neighborhood to get on the build-out list there has to be X demand for it. Keep in mind they have both a free tier (after installation cost, which can be amortized) and a paid tier (with no installation cost).