Sharing Google Docs and Drive links is part of everyday life for professionals, educators, marketers, and students.

But, those long, messy URLs can be a pain to manage, share, or post on social media.

That’s where a free Google link shortener comes in handy.

In this post, we’ll show you how to shorten Google Docs, Drive, Gmail, and other Google related product URLs quickly, safely, and without any technical skills.

Whether you’re sharing a public file, embedding a document in an email, or trying to track how many people clicked your link, this guide is for you.


What is a Google link shortener?

A Google URL shortener is a tool that converts long and complex Google links (like from Docs, Drive, Sheets, or Forms) into short, clean, and easy-to-share URLs.

Instead of a messy URL like:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AbcDEfghijklmNOPQRstuVWxyZ/view?usp=sharing

You get something like:

https://onlylinks.cc/gdrive123

The result is:

  • Easier to share on social media
  • Cleaner for messaging apps or emails
  • More professional and clickable
  • Easier to remember and track

Why shorten Google Docs, Drive, and Maps URLs?

There are several benefits to using a URL shortener, especially when it comes to sharing Google Docs or Drive files.

1. Clean and clickable links

Long links look suspicious or spammy. A short link looks clean and encourages more clicks.

2. Better for sharing on social media

Platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn often truncate long URLs. A short link ensures your entire URL is visible and functional.

3. Improved user trust

A branded short link (e.g., using allmylink.me) helps people trust what they’re clicking.

4. Easier to manage

Short links are easier to copy, paste, and remember. Great for presentations, documents, or customer emails.

5. Track clicks and performance

Want to know how many people viewed your shared document?

A URL shortener like Linko includes advanced analytics so you can track clicks.


Best free Google link shortener to use in 2025

There are many shorteners out there, but not all of them support Google links well, especially from Google Drive, Forms, and Docs.

One of the best free tools available is: Linko’s URL Shortener

This tool is built to support:

  • Google Docs
  • Google Sheets
  • Google Slides
  • Google Forms
  • Google Meets
  • Google Maps
  • Google Drive files and folders

You just paste your long URL, click Shorten, and get a branded short link instantly.

No account. No signup. Just paste and go.


How to shorten Google Docs and Drive URLs in 3 simple steps

Let’s walk through the process using the Linko URL shortener.

Step 1: Copy your Google Docs or Drive link

Go to your document or file in Google Docs or Drive, click Share, and make sure your link is set to “Anyone with the link can view.”

Copy that link.

Example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AaBcDeFGhijklmnOPQRstuvwXYz/view?usp=sharing


Step 2: Visit Linko’s Google Link Shortener


Step 3: Paste and shorten

  • Paste your long Google link into the input box and click the “Shorten” button.
  • You’ll get a new short link that looks something like this: https://onlylinks.cc/gdoc
  • Done! You can now copy that short URL and share it anywhere you want.

Use cases for shortening Google links

People use Google Drive and Docs for dozens of reasons every day. Here’s how a short URL can be helpful:

🔗 For teachers and educators

Instead of emailing students a long Docs or Slides link, you can give them a simple short link in a classroom portal, handout, or projector slide.

📩 For business professionals

Share links to contracts, reports, or presentations in client emails with a short branded link. It looks cleaner and more professional.

📲 For marketers

Post links to Google Sheets, Forms, or public Docs on Instagram, Twitter, or email newsletters using a short, trackable link.

🗃️ For project managers

Create quick-share links for team folders or shared drives during project planning.


Features of Linko’s free Google URL shortener

Let’s look at what makes Linko a great tool for shortening your Google URLs.

No signup required

  • Just paste and shorten. No account needed. Fast and easy.

Supports all Google services

  • Shorten links from Docs, Drive, Maps, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.

Clean interface

  • No distractions—just the tool you need.

Trackable

  • Even without an account, you can see how many times your link was clicked.

Brandable

  • All shortened links use the onlylinks.cc domain, which is clean, simple, and trustworthy.

Comparison: Linko vs other URL shorteners for Google links

Here’s how Linko compares to other free options.

FeatureLinkoBitlyTinyURLRebrandly
Google Docs support
Google Drive support
No signup needed
Free click tracking❌ (paid)
Branded domain✅ onlylinks.cc❌ bit.ly❌ tinyurl.com✅ (paid)

✅ = Fully supported
❌ = Not available or requires payment

As you can see, Linko stands out for its free features and support for all types of Google links, without requiring a login.


Is Linko secure for shortening Google links?

Yes. Linko does not store your files or access your Google account.

All it does is convert your long Google link into a short one. The content is still hosted on Google’s servers, so privacy settings are controlled by you.


Can you track clicks on your shortened Google links?

Yes! With Linko, your shortened Google Docs or Drive link comes with basic analytics:

  • Total clicks
  • Unique clicks
  • Geo location
  • Devices
  • Langauges
  • Browsers
  • Referral sources

This means you can share your document and see how many people actually clicked it—without needing a separate tracking tool.


How to check short link clicks and analytics

So you’ve created and shared your short link, awesome. But how do you know if people are actually clicking it?

Good news: with Linko, you can view click report for any shortened URL for free.

📊 Follow this simple step to view short link statistics:

After sharing your short link, just add a plus sign (+) at the end of the URL and open it in your browser.

For example: open a new tab in your browser and paste your short link with a + sign at the end, like this URL: https://onlylinks.cc/abc+

This will instantly take you to the analytics page for that link. You’ll be able to see:

  • Total clicks, and
  • Unique clicks

And the best part? You don’t need an account to view this data. It’s completely free and accessible for all users.


Linko is privacy-friendly and anonymous

Most URL shorteners require you to create an account, accept cookies, and share data. Not Linko.

Here’s how Linko protects your privacy:

🕵️‍♂️ You stay anonymous

We do not track or identify the users who shorten links. Your personal information is never stored.

📂 We don’t access your files

Your Google Docs and Drive content stays 100% on Google. Linko only shortens the URL. We never touch or host your documents.

We believe in user-first privacy, and we mean it.


Pro tips for sharing Google links with shorteners

Want to get the most out of your shortened Google links? Follow these tips:

✅ Make the file shareable

Before shortening the link, go to Google Docs or Drive and ensure the sharing settings are correct.

Set it to: “Anyone with the link can view”.

This ensures that anyone who clicks your short link can actually access the file.


✅ Use custom slugs (available in Linko Pro)

Instead of a random string like /xYz12, use a clean and relevant slug like:

https://allmylink.me/course-outline
Shortening a link with a custom slug

This improves memorability and trust.


✅ Track link performance

After sharing, add the + to the end of the URL (e.g. https://ln-k.me/test+) to see how your link is performing.


✅ Use QR codes for offline sharing

If you’re sharing your Google file in a printed document or presentation, make a QR code using Linko’s free QR code tool.

This way, people can scan and access your document directly.

Free QR Code Generator

Linko is more than just a URL shortener

Besides shortening Google Docs and Drive links, Linko also offers a wide range of free tools for creators, professionals, and digital marketers:

  • Bulk URL shortener – Shorten multiple Google links at once
  • QR code generator – Turn any short link into a downloadable QR code
  • Link in bio editor – Build a mini landing page to include your links
  • Custom branded domains – Use your own domain for professional-looking links
  • Campaign manager – Track performance across campaigns and traffic sources
  • CTA overlays and splash pages – Add branding and messages to links
  • Link expiration and link scheduling – Control when your links go live or expire

And yes, many of these features are free.


Final thoughts: Why choose Linko for shortening Google URLs?

If you want a fast, privacy-friendly, and feature-rich way to shorten Google Docs and Drive links, Linko is your best option.

Here’s a quick recap:

Free to use – No account needed
Supports all Google file types
Anonymous – We don’t track or store your info
Click analytics – Click tracking, devices, countries, referrers
Simple interface – Paste and go
Professional – Great for marketers, teams, and creators

So the next time you need to share a Google Doc or Drive file, don’t settle for an ugly link. Use a short, clean, smart link instead.


FAQs

Can I shorten any Google link?

Yes, Linko supports Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drive file or folder links.

Is it safe to shorten private Google Docs?

Yes, but be sure to manage your file’s permissions. If it’s private, only invited users will be able to view it—even if you share a short link.

Do I need to register or log in?

Nope. Just paste and shorten. No account is required to use the tool or view link analytics.

Is my data safe when I use Linko?

Yes. Linko does not store personal data, track users, or access your Google content.

Can I see analytics on my shortened Google link?

Yes! Add a plus sign (+) to the end of your short link and open it in a browser. Example: https://ln-k.me/abc+

Are Linko’s short links permanent?

Yes, your short links will remain active unless you delete them or your file permissions change on Google.

Can I customize my short link?

Yes. On paid plans, you can create custom slugs or use your own domain for branded links.

Categorized in: