In one sentence: “Anyone with the link” is a Google sharing setting: anyone who has the link can open your file, without signing in to a Google Account.
Why it matters: A link can be forwarded, posted or copied by anyone who gets it. You cannot control who ends up with it. For private files, “Restricted” is the safer setting, because only people you add can open the file.
One thing to do: Open one file you have shared, click Share, and look under “General access”. Change it to “Restricted” if the file is private.
Related terms: public link, permissions, cloud storage
Learn more: Google Docs ‘Anyone With the Link’: Who Can See Your Files?
Checked: 25 Oct 2026. Settings screens change. If yours looks different, search the company's help page.
