What impacted GOOGL's operating expenses in 2023?

Google's operating expenses in 2023 were impacted by several factors, primarily related to legal settlements and infrastructure investments.

1. Legal Settlements: Google agreed to settle a $5 billion lawsuit regarding the tracking of user data in "incognito" mode on its Chrome browser. This settlement is likely to have an impact on Google's operating expenses, although the exact amount is not disclosed and may not reach the full $5 billion.
2. Infrastructure Investments: Google leased a massive warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas, which is the second large-scale lease by the company in the region. This lease is likely related to Google's plans to invest $1 billion in Texas to support cloud and data center infrastructure. The company has also purchased another property in Northlake 35 Logistics Park, which is filed as "Project Beast" under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

In conclusion, Google's operating expenses in 2023 were impacted by significant legal settlements and infrastructure investments. These factors are likely to have had a substantial financial effect on the company, although the exact details of the impact are not fully disclosed.