How to capture emails on shared Google Docs

Add an email gate to your Google Doc so you know exactly who viewed, when they viewed, and what they cared about. With Send, your Doc opens instantly with AI Chat beside it, so people can ask questions and get answers without waiting on you. You keep one stable link, see engagement in real time, and follow up with context that shortens the cycle.

When this is useful

Sharing documents often requires identity and signal to move decisions forward. Use this when you want verified viewers, automated alerts, and clear next steps.

• Prospect‑facing docs such as proposals, one‑pagers, or mutual action plans
• Internal docs shared externally for approvals or reviews
• Any Doc where you want to know exactly who looked and what they asked
• Cross‑functional work where timing your follow‑up matters

Step‑by‑step

1. Add your Google Doc to Send
2. Turn on a viewer gate (require Email; optionally Name and Phone)
3. Add Suggested Questions to steer attention
4. Share one stable Send link
5. Monitor activity and follow up with context

Why this is faster with Send

Most Docs become a black box once the link is out. With Send, you capture identity up front, steer readers with Suggested Questions, and answer via AI Chat right beside the document. You see what mattered and who cared, so you cut back‑and‑forth, time outreach perfectly, and arrive on calls prepared with context. That turns documents from passive files into active, trackable conversations that move decisions forward.

Troubleshooting & tips

Small adjustments can dramatically improve engagement quality and clarity.

• Doc won’t load: Confirm gate fields are completed. If “Hide content until submitted” is on, the Doc stays hidden until submission.
• Permissions: If viewers hit a Google permission wall, ensure your original Doc’s sharing settings allow access as needed.
• Sensitive content: Disable download and print in Link Settings. Share only with necessary stakeholders.
• Update without breaking links: Use Replace file (or update the URL) under the same Send link. Your analytics and URL stay intact.
• Low interaction: Add or refine Suggested Questions that focus on pricing, scope, and next steps. These reliably increase chat activity.
• Known recipients: Prefer a personalized link with a custom slug for frictionless viewing and precise attribution without a form.
• Multi‑stakeholder shares: Keep the gate on. As the link circulates internally, each viewer submits their email so you see the full buying group.

Integrations & automation

Turn engagement into immediate action in your systems of record.

• Enable webhooks for document open or any link open events.
• Send events to Clay, Zapier, or Make to:

Privacy and controls

Keep access tight while maintaining a smooth viewer experience.

• Require Email via viewer gate, with optional Name and Phone for deeper qualification.
• Use “Hide content until submitted” to block viewing until required fields are complete.
• Disable download and print for sensitive or paid content.
• For known contacts, use a personalized link to attribute views without a form.
• When revising, use Replace file to keep the same URL and analytics while updating the Doc.

FAQ

• How does this speed up decisions?
• Can I require email before viewing?
• What analytics do I get?
• Can I push views into my CRM or Slack?
• Can I update the Doc without changing the link?
  Try Send today at Send.co to capture emails on Google Docs, steer readers to answers with AI, and follow up with perfect context.