The New Google Drive for Desktop is replacing the Backup and Sync, with one major changes: files are now stored locally in a virtual "mounted drive" rather than having a local folder synced with the cloud. Will files stored in this drive "captured" by Time Machine?
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6
It may be possible, however I would not rely on them being captured by Time Machine.
Cloud storage like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive generally use an on-demand feature by default where what you see in Finder does not live on your local disk but is instead cached and brought up when needed.
There is usually a setting the cloud storage client to keep the local view in sync, but I would never rely on it in a data recovery scenario.
Not sure this link will be helpful:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250
Don't think a virtual mounted drive can be backed up by TM; unless someone chimes in, you may want to contact Apple Support.
Google Drive and Time Machine
