Get notified when shared PDFs are viewed (with page‑level time)

Share your PDF through Send and get instant alerts on opens and re‑opens, plus page‑level time that shows exactly where attention went. Route notifications to Slack, email, or your CRM so you follow up at the right moment with the right context.

When this is useful

Email attachments and bare links give you little signal. With Send, you’ll know who viewed your PDF, when they viewed it, and which pages they focused on. That clarity turns slow threads into fast next steps.

Proposals, SOWs, and contracts where timing and intent matter
Product one‑pagers and pricing sheets that spark questions
Security and compliance PDFs that require careful reading
Any sensitive document where you want identity and page‑time

Step‑by‑step: turn on PDF view notifications

These steps keep setup simple and outcome‑focused.

1. Add your PDF to Send

Go to Send.co → New Document → upload your PDF. You can also paste a URL if it’s hosted elsewhere, or use the Chrome extension’s blue "Add to Send" button on supported pages. Your document opens in Send with AI Chat alongside it.
Tip: Title it clearly, for example, “Proposal – ACME – Q4,” so it’s easy to find in the Activity Feed.

2. Configure link settings and Suggested Questions

Open Link Settings. Require Name and Email when you need identity. You can also capture Phone and hide the PDF until the viewer submits the form. This ensures you know who’s viewing before they see the content.
Add 3–5 Suggested Questions to steer attention and encourage engagement. Examples: 1) “What does this cost?” 2) “Implementation timeline” 3) “Security and compliance details” 4) “What’s included vs optional?” 5) “Next steps?”
Tell recipients there’s AI Chat available. When viewers know they can ask questions in the moment, engagement rises and follow‑ups get clearer.

3. Turn on notifications with Webhooks

Open Webhooks for your PDF. Toggle "Document open" to receive alerts for every view and re‑open. This is your signal that someone is actively evaluating.
Optionally toggle "Any link open" to track clicks from AI answers or Suggested Questions. This shows what sparked deeper interest.
Route events via Clay, Zapier, or Make to Slack, email, or your CRM. Common automations include creating Activities, assigning owners, moving deals to the next stage, and triggering sequences when a high‑intent view happens.

Why this is faster with Send

Attachments don’t tell you who, when, or what mattered. Send combines timely alerts, page‑level analytics, and in‑page AI so you reach out at the perfect moment with the right talking points.

Instant notifications on opens and re‑opens
Page‑level time highlights which sections drew attention
AI Chat and Suggested Questions reduce back‑and‑forth and repetitive meetings
Replace files under the same link to keep one URL and preserve analytics

Troubleshooting & tips

Small tweaks make your signals reliable and actionable.

Not receiving alerts

Verify Webhook toggles and destination URL. Send a test event from the Webhooks panel to confirm the connection.

Views without identity

Turn on a viewer gate for Name and Email, or use a personalized link with a custom slug for known contacts.

Sensitive content

Disable download and print. Require Name and Email and hide the PDF until the form is submitted. This keeps control while maintaining a smooth viewer experience.

Version changes

Use Replace file to update the PDF under the same Send link. Your URL never changes and your analytics stay intact.

Too many notifications

Route Webhooks to your CRM first, then use rules to notify only on priority accounts or high‑intent events such as re‑opens or long total time.

Integrations & automation (Webhooks)

Webhooks make alerts and follow‑ups automatic. Point events to Clay, Zapier, or Make to update systems and notify teammates immediately.

Triggers:

Document open: fires on every open and re‑open
Any link open: tracks clicks from AI answers or Suggested Questions

Destinations:

Clay, Zapier, Make for CRM updates, tasks, sequences, and notifications

Common workflows:

Create or update a contact when a new viewer submits the gate
Log a “PDF Viewed” Activity with viewer, device, and location
Notify the account owner in Slack only for priority accounts
Add the viewer to a follow‑up sequence when the PDF is reopened

Payload highlights:

Viewer name, email, phone (if captured)
Location and device
Total time viewed
Page‑level time (per‑page attention)
Link that was opened (for Any link open events)

Privacy & controls

Protect access while keeping sharing simple.

Require Name, Email, and optionally Phone; hide content until provided
Disable download and print when needed
Replace files under the same link so your URL never changes
Use personalized links (custom slug) when you already know the recipient and don’t need a form

FAQ

Do I get page analytics for PDFs?

Yes. Page‑level time shows where attention went, so you can tailor your follow‑up.

Can I update the PDF without a new link?

Yes. Use Replace file under the same Send link so recipients keep using one URL.

Can I push events into my CRM?

Yes. Enable Webhooks and route via Clay, Zapier, or Make to create Activities, update records, and trigger sequences.

Can I prevent downloading or printing?

Yes. Disable download/print in Link Settings for sensitive documents.

How does this speed up sales cycles?

You get timely alerts and page‑level context while AI handles common questions. You reach out at the right moment with the right message, so cycles move faster.

Act on interest at the perfect moment. Share your PDF with Send and get notified instantly—try Send.co today.