How to Shorten Google Drive Link (Easy Steps)

🪄How to Shorten a Google Drive Link

There are several ways to shorten a Google Drive link:

Built-in Shortener (Google Drive):

• Google Drive itself provides a built-in option to create a shareable link. When you share a file, you can choose to make the link “Anyone with the link” or “Public.” These links are usually shorter than the full URL.
• To use this method, right-click on the file in Google Drive, select “Get link,” and adjust the sharing settings as needed.

Third-Party URL Shorteners:

• There are various third-party services that specialize in URL shortening. Some popular ones include Bitly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly.
• Visit the URL shortener website, paste your Google Drive link, and generate a shortened version.
• Copy the shortened link and share it wherever needed.

Customizing the Shortened Link:

• Some services allow you to customize the shortened link. For example, you can replace the random characters with a relevant keyword or phrase.
• Customization makes the link more meaningful and memorable.

⚒️Preparing Your Google Drive Link for Sharing

Locating the File or Folder

1. Sign In to Google Drive: Open your web browser and navigate to Google Drive. Sign in with your Google account if you haven’t already.
2. Navigate to the File or Folder: Locate the file or folder you want to share. You can organize your files into folders for better management.

Generating the Shareable Link

1. Right-Click on the File or Folder: Once you’ve found the file or folder, right-click on it. A context menu will appear.
2. Select “Get Link”: Choose the option that says “Get link.” This will generate a shareable link for the selected file or folder.
3. Choose Sharing Permissions:
   • Viewer: Anyone with the link can view the file but cannot edit it.
   • Commenter: Viewers can also leave comments on the file.
   • Editor: Viewers can edit the file.
4. Copy the Generated Link: After selecting the appropriate sharing permissions, the link will be generated. Click on “Copy link” to copy it to your clipboard.

Copying the Shareable Link

1. Open a Text Editor or Document: Open a text editor (such as Notepad or a word processor) or any application where you can paste text.
2. Paste the Link: Press Ctrl + V (Windows/Linux) or Command + V (Mac) to paste the link from your clipboard.
3. Shorten the Link (Optional): If you want to further shorten the link, use a URL shortener service like Bitly or TinyURL. Paste the link into the shortener, and it will provide you with a shorter version.
4. Share the Link: You can now share the link via email, chat, social media, or any other platform.

🔗Customize Your Bit.ly Link

Log in to Your Bitly Account:

• If you haven’t already, sign in to your Bitly account.

Edit an Existing Link:

• Click on “Links” in the left sidebar to view your existing links.
• Find the link you want to customize and click the edit icon (it looks like a pencil).

Customization Options:

• Once you’re in the link editing mode, you have several options:
• Edit the Title: Change the descriptive title of your link to make it more relevant.
• Customize the Back-Half (Optional): The back-half of the link is the part after the domain (e.g., bit.ly/your-custom-link). You can add words or keywords here to make it unique.
• Add UTM Parameters (Optional): If you’re tracking campaigns or analytics, toggle the UTM switch and enter your parameters. Bitly will add them to the link before shortening it.

Save Your Customized Link:

• After making your desired changes, click “Save.”

Remember that customizing your Bitly link allows you to create memorable, branded, and relevant short URLs.

Whether it’s for marketing, sharing content, or tracking performance, a customized link stands out and serves your purpose effectively!

Bitly provides a comprehensive solution for link management, including branding, custom domains, and advanced analytics. It’s the one-stop-shop for all your link-associated needs!

〽️Alternatives to Shortening Links

Add to My Drive:

• Instead of sharing a direct link, you can encourage recipients to add the file or folder to their own Google Drive. This way, they’ll have easy access without needing to remember or click on a link.
• Here’s how:
• Right-click on the file or folder you want to share.
• Select “Add to My Drive.”
• The shared item will now appear in their Google Drive under “Shared with me.”

Create Direct Access Shortcuts:

• Google Drive allows you to create shortcuts to specific files or folders. These shortcuts act like bookmarks, providing quick access without the need for lengthy URLs.
• To create a shortcut:
• Right-click on the file or folder.
• Choose “Add shortcut to Drive.”
• The shortcut will appear in your Drive’s root directory or the folder where you created it.