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Link settings explained

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Andrea V.
  • Updated
This article describes a feature available to customers on all DocSend plans, unless stated otherwise.

DocSend links are at the heart of the DocSend product. When you create a link, you’ll be prompted to configure unique link settings, giving you even more control when sharing your content.
 

Table of contents

Link sharing options

You can configure general link settings for your document uploads and create a custom DocSend link using your company or brand name, a folder name, or another name you prefer.

Note: The link sharing options are more limited for Download-Only Content and External URL Link Sharing. These types of links may not offer the full range of security and tracking features available for regular DocSend links.


Add a company or client name

In the Add a company or client name section, you can create a name to associate the link and visits to the company, client, or target audience you’re sharing content with.

Option Description
Name link (not visible to visitors) This field is optional, but we recommend entering a name so you can track visits at the account level. If you don’t enter a name, one will be assigned automatically. This name is only visible internally and not to visitors.

 

Manage file access

In the Manage file access section, choose from the following options to control who can access your content.

Option Description
Viewing requirements
  • No email required to view. Visitors don’t need to enter an email address to view your content. You'll see their operating system and geolocation instead of their email or name.
  • Require an email to view. Visitors must enter a valid email address to view your content. We recommend enabling this option to help identify your visitors.
  • Verify email to view. Visitors must verify their email to view your content. Learn more about email validation.
Add password protection Visitors must enter a password to view your content. You can create the password yourself and, for added protection, send it separately from the link.
Allow or block viewers by email
  • Allow certain emails or domains. Only visitors with specific email addresses or domains can access your content.
    • Block certain emails or domains. Prevents visitors with specific email addresses or domains from accessing your content.
    • Specify email addresses or domains. Allows you to enter the allowed or blocked email addresses.
  • Import from CSV. Upload a list of allowed or blocked email addresses from a CSV file. This makes it easy to manage who can or cannot access your content.
Require viewers to sign an agreement to view

Requires visitors to download and agree to the terms of an agreement before viewing your content. This can also be set for the entire space or for specific folders/files within the space. Learn about using gate access with agreements.

 

Add extra security settings

In the Add extra security settings section, choose from the following options to further protect your content.

Option Description
Allow downloads

Visitors can download and print your content directly from the document viewer. It’s recommended to export the file as a PDF if you’d prefer your content remain un-editable after download.
Set an expiration date Allows visitors access to your content for a specified period of time. This is a great way to create a sense of urgency and block access to content when it is no longer valid.
Add a watermark to protect from unauthorized use

Add a watermark to your content to protect your content from unauthorized use. Learn how to add a watermark to shared content.

 

Customize link

In the Customize link section, you can personalize the URL to make it easier for visitors to recognize.

Note: The Custom link options are not available for Spaces (data rooms).
Option Description
Create a custom URL

Create a custom DocSend link using your company, brand name, or any name you prefer. Your custom URL can contain up to 100 characters and and can only include the following characters:

  • Letters (a-z)
  • Numbers (0-9)
  • Dashes (-) and underscores (_)

Example: docsend.com/view/123456/[custom-name]

Notes:

  • If checked, the URL field can’t be left blank.
  • Users with edit permissions can change the URL even after they've been created.
  • If a custom URL is changed, the existing URL is modified and all future visits and metrics remain associated with the updated link.

Important: Custom links may be less secure than DocSend-generated links, because they are sometimes easier to guess. We strongly recommend adding extra security settings when using a custom link.
Set a welcome message for visitors when they enter the Space (data room)

Set a custom welcome message when visitors access your link. You can use this message to personalize the Space or provide additional details.
Customize who visitor sees as the Space owner

Add the name of the Space owner.
Embed link on a website

Generate an embeddable code snippet to share your content directly on your website. Once enabled, you can copy the code from your clipboard and paste it into the HTML code on your website.

Notes:

  • If an email is required to view the embedded content, visitors must follow the prompts to verify their email address.
  • If you've enabled the password option in your link settings, visitors must enter the password before accessing your content.
Add a custom button

Create a clickable button in the document viewer that routes visitors to a specific URL of your choice.

Notes:

  • When this feature is enabled, both the Button text and Button url fields must be filled out.
  • After visitors click your custom button, they’ll see a notification informing them they’re being redirected to a third-party site. They can choose to continue or go back to the viewer.
  • You can track the performance of your custom button in the Activity and Performance tabs.

 

Related Reading

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