Google-docs – Tracking views, downloads of shared Google Docs

google docs

If a person has shared a Google Docs with me can they see if I have viewed or downloaded that document?

Best Answer

If you click on a file in Google Drive, there should be an "Activity" tab. For Google Documents, I see entries when people make comments or edit, but I don't see any entries for "viewed" or "downloaded".

The "Expert Reply" to a question on the Google Product Forums leads to the "View activity & file versions" page in Google Drive Help, which jibes with what I'm seeing.

See changes made to your files in Drive and keep track of who made those changes. You might see changes when someone:

  • Edits or comments in Google Docs
  • Renames a file or folder
  • Moves or removes a file or folder
  • Uploads a new file to a folder
  • Shares or unshares an item

So, no, it doesn't appear that someone will see if/when you view or download a file.

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