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How do I reduce the size of a link in Google Drive?

Published in Google Drive 3 mins read

Google Drive itself doesn't offer a built-in feature to shorten the sharing links it generates. However, you can use third-party URL shorteners to accomplish this.

Here's how you can reduce the size (length) of a Google Drive link:

  1. Get the Shareable Link from Google Drive:

    • Open Google Drive and locate the file or folder you want to share.
    • Right-click on the file/folder and select "Share".
    • Make sure the sharing settings are appropriate (e.g., "Anyone with the link can view").
    • Copy the generated shareable link. This link will typically be quite long.

  2. Use a URL Shortener:

    • Several websites and services are designed to shorten URLs. Some popular options include:

      • Bitly (bit.ly): A widely used and reliable URL shortener. It often requires account creation for customized links and analytics.
      • TinyURL (tinyurl.com): A simple and quick URL shortener that doesn't require an account.
      • Rebrandly (rebrandly.com): Focuses on branded links with custom domains for more professional sharing.

  3. Paste and Shorten:

    • Go to your chosen URL shortener's website.
    • Paste the long Google Drive link into the designated field (usually labeled something like "Enter a long URL to make a TinyURL" or similar).
    • Click the button to shorten the URL (e.g., "Shorten," "Create," etc.).

  4. Copy the Shortened Link:

    • The URL shortener will generate a much shorter link. Copy this shortened link.

  5. Share the Shortened Link:

    • You can now share the shortened link instead of the original long Google Drive link. When someone clicks the shortened link, they will be redirected to the original Google Drive file or folder.

Example:

Let's say your Google Drive shareable link is:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1234567890abcdefghijklm/view?usp=sharing

After using a URL shortener like Bitly, it might become:

bit.ly/shortenedlink

The bit.ly/shortenedlink is much easier to share and remember.

Bulk URL Shorteners:

As referenced, tools like Bulk Share URL Shortener exist. These are usually applications or scripts specifically designed to shorten multiple URLs at once, which can be useful if you have many Google Drive links to shorten. They often support services like goo.gl (though Google's goo.gl service has been discontinued for general use) and bit.ly.

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