Overview
Link sharing lets you give people access to a map by sending them a link. Instead of inviting each person individually, you can choose what anyone with the link can do and then copy the link to share it.
Under General access, you can set Anyone with the link to No access, Can view, or Can edit. This gives you control over whether people using the link can simply view the map or make changes.
Turn on link sharing
- From the Home dashboard, click the Actions (three-dot) menu next to the map and select Share. If the map is already open, click Share in the top-right corner.
- Under General access, find Anyone with the link.
- Select Can view to let people view the map, or Can edit to let them make changes.
- Click Copy link.
- Send the copied link to the people you want to give access to.
Change link access
You can change the access level at any time after sharing the link.
- Open the map's sharing settings.
- Under General access, find Anyone with the link.
- Select Can view, Can edit, or No access.
Turn off link sharing
If you no longer want people to access the map using the link:
- Open the map's sharing settings.
- Under General access, find Anyone with the link.
- Select No access.
Example use cases
Link sharing can be useful when you want to:
- Send a map to a group without entering everyone's email address.
- Let classmates or colleagues view a map for reference.
- Give collaborators a link they can use to edit a shared map.
- Send a project map through email or a messaging app.
- Make a map easy to access for people who already have the link.
Tips
- Use Can view when recipients only need to read or review the map.
- Use Can edit only when you want people with the link to make changes.
- Check the Anyone with the link setting before sending a link to make sure the correct access level is selected.
- Change the setting to No access when you no longer want the link to provide access to the map.
- For temporary access, consider using Guest Pass instead of general link sharing.
Common questions
Should I use link sharing or invite people by email?
Use link sharing when you want to distribute access through a link. Invite people by email when you want to give access to specific individuals.
Should I use link sharing or Guest Pass?
Use link sharing when you want general access through a map link. Guest Pass is better when you want temporary access that expires after a set period.
What happens to a link if I change the access level?
The link can remain the same while you change what people using it are allowed to do. For example, you can change access from Can edit to Can view if collaborators no longer need editing access.
How can I stop people from using a link I've already shared?
Set Anyone with the link to No access. This turns off access through general link sharing, even if someone still has the link.
Related features
- How to Share a Map
- How to Share Maps with Teams
- How to Use Guest Pass
- How to Publish a Map
- Collaborating on Maps
- Organization/Team Privacy Settings
Share your map with a link
Open a map you're already working on and click Share to set up link access. Choose whether people with the link should be able to view or edit the map, then copy the link and send it when you're ready.
For a new project, you can also start with a new map and turn on link sharing when you're ready for others to see or contribute to your work.