Track when shared Google Docs are opened (and who viewed)

Know exactly when a shared Google Doc is opened and by whom. Share your Doc through Send to get real-time visibility, add AI Chat for instant answers, and guide readers with Suggested Questions so you follow up with context and move deals faster.

When this is useful

If you often share Google Docs externally, tracking opens and understanding who engaged can save time and prevent guesswork. With Send, you can gate viewers for identity, capture engagement signals automatically, and keep one link even as you update the Doc or upload a new version.

You need proof that a recipient opened your Doc
You want viewer identity, location, device, and time on doc
You plan to update content without breaking the link
You want buyers to self-serve answers before the next call

Step-by-step: track Google Doc opens with Send

A simple three-step flow gets you sharing with analytics and AI in minutes.

1. Add your Google Doc to Send

Install the Send Chrome extension at send.co, then open your Google Doc and click the blue "Add to Send" button. A Send tab opens with the Doc loaded inside Send.
Alternatively, in the Send app, click New Document and paste the Google Doc URL.
Benefit: You now have a single, trackable link you can share with anyone.

2. Configure viewer gate and permissions

Turn on the viewer gate to require name and email before viewing. You can optionally request phone as well.
For sensitive docs, disable printing and downloading.
Benefit: You’ll know exactly who viewed and when, while controlling access and distribution.

Add Suggested Questions that steer readers to key decisions: "What does this cost?", "What’s included?", "Implementation timeline", "Next steps".
Copy your link and share it. Tell recipients there’s an AI chat inside for instant answers.
Benefit: Readers get to the right answers fast, and you see what matters to them.

Why this is faster with Send

When recipients open your Send link, they see the Google Doc immediately alongside AI Chat. They can ask unlimited questions, and you can teach the AI with an AI Profile to provide context like case studies or your calendar link on demand. Suggested Questions guide attention to pricing and next steps so you spend less time repeating yourself. You also get analytics that show viewer identity, location, device, time viewed, and for files like PDFs, page-level time.

Troubleshooting & tips

Even simple changes can lift engagement. Use these checks if something looks off.

No opens recorded: Confirm you shared the Send link, not the raw Google Doc link.
Unknown viewers: Turn on the viewer gate to require name and email. Use personalized links when you already know the recipient.
Low engagement: Improve Suggested Questions and mention the built-in AI chat in your message.
Need to update content: Replace the file or update the underlying Doc without changing your Send link.

Integrations & automation (webhooks)

If you work in a CRM-driven flow, you’ll want alerts and records the instant someone opens your Doc. Send can fire webhooks on document opens or any link open so you can trigger actions in Clay, Zapier, or Make. Use these to create or update contacts, log activities, route alerts to the owner, or kick off sequences without manual work.

Privacy and controls

Control access and what recipients can do with your content. Require name, email, and optionally phone. Hide the Doc until the viewer completes the gate. Disable printing and downloading when needed. Replace files while keeping the same link so there’s no version chaos.

FAQ

How does Send speed up sales cycles?

Recipients get answers instantly via AI Chat and Suggested Questions. You see what they looked at and asked, so calls are focused and faster.

Can I require name and email before viewing?

Yes. Turn on the viewer gate to capture identity before the Doc is visible.

Can I replace a file without changing the link?

Yes. Replace files under the same Send link so you never resend versions.

What analytics do I get (and for PDFs specifically)?

Viewer info, location, device, time viewed, AI chat questions, and page-level time for PDFs.

Can I push views into my CRM?

Yes. Use webhooks to send open events to Clay, Zapier, or Make to update your CRM or trigger alerts.

Try Send today to track opens on shared Google Docs and move deals faster: Send.co

Track when shared Google Docs are opened