Saving files to Google Drive and sharing links to others?
You must have noticed that the link from Google drive file sharing is a bit long. Links can be shared via messaging or emails which they can open directly. But if in case, people need to type the links to open documents, it could be tedious and people could make mistakes too. Why not shorten the links so that it is easy to read or type?
Here is how.What does URL shorteners do?
They take long links and convert them to short links, which is easier to read and type. Both the long and the short link points or opens the same thing.
First, get the sharable link from Google Drive.
- Go to Google Drive
- Right click on the file or folder to share
- Click ‘Get Sharable Link’
- The link is automatically copied to clipboard. You can also select the link displayed and press CTRL+C to copy the link.
The link looks like:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=2fX-zdmTRstdTL83PSvyI9XYUq
How to shorten the links?
There are various URL shortening services online. But you can also use Google’s service. (See update on Google URL Shortner below)
- Open the link https://goo.gl/ in a browser
- Paste the shareable link from Google Drive
- Click SHORTEN URL button
- A short URL is generated Eg: https://goo.gl/FUGur49
- Copy the shortened url
Share the shortened url. Both the short and the long URL will open the same file / folder when viewed in a browser.
If you are logged in to Google Account and use https://goo.gl/ service, then the links you shorten are also saved for your for quick reference later if needed.
UPDATE: Google URL Shortner Service is discontinued.
Starting April 13, 2018, anonymous users and users who have never created short links before today will not be able to create new short links via the goo.gl console. If you are looking to create new short links, we recommend you check out popular services like Bitly and Ow.ly as an alternative.
If you have existing goo.gl short links, you can continue to use all features of goo.gl console for a period of one year, until March 30, 2019, when we will discontinue the console. You can manage all your short links and their analytics through the goo.gl console during this period.
After March 30, 2019, all links will continue to redirect to the intended destination. Your existing short links will not be migrated to the Firebase console, however, you will be able to export your link information from the goo.gl console.
