--- title: "How to shorten Google Drive links with Zapier" description: "One of the most popular ways to shorten URLs was Google's URL shortener, which shut down in March 2019. Learn how to automatically shorten your Google Drive URLs with Zapier for easier sharing." image: "https://images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/2IRJNnrjjTc7PV2ZOsmBis/e4b635037f69546561779fd9350639fd/Group_12468.jpg" --- # How to shorten Google Drive links with Zapier One of the most popular ways to shorten URLs was Google's URL shortener, which shut down in March 2019. Learn how to automatically shorten your Google Drive URLs with Zapier for easier sharing. URL shorteners make it easier to share long links, turning an unwieldy string of characters into something short and shareable. The shortened link takes up less space—on a business card, say, or in a social media post—and if you use services that let you customize your links, they can be another way to reinforce your brand. One of the most popular ways to shorten URLs was Google's URL shortener, which shut down in March 2019. If you've been a Google user for a long time, you probably used `goo.gl` to shorten links to Forms, Docs, Sheets, or anything else you stored in [Google Drive](https://zapier.com/apps/google-drive/integrations). If you're looking for an automatic and easy way to shorten your Google URLs for easier sharing and collaboration, here are a few ways you can do that using Zapier. ### Skip ahead - [How to shorten Google Drive file links](#google-drive) - [How to shorten Google Docs links](#google-docs) - [How to shorten Google Forms links](#google-forms) ## How to shorten Google Drive file links If you regularly share Google Drive files and you use a [URL shortener that integrates with Zapier](https://zapier.com/apps/categories/url-shorten), you can generate shortened file links with our automated workflows called Zaps.  You can create your own Zap from scratch with [our point-and-click editor](https://zapier.com/app/editor), but we also have quick templates to get you started.  **Here's how to set it up:** 1. [Set up your Google Drive trigger step](#drive-trigger) 2. [Set up your Bitly action step](#bitly-action) ### **Before you begin** Create a new file in your desired Google Drive location. In later steps, Zapier will look for the most recent file in your Drive to test your Zap.  ### Set up your Google Drive trigger First, set up the trigger—the event that starts our Zap. If you're building the Zap from scratch, select **Google Drive** and the **New File in Folder **event, then click **Continue**.  Select your Google Drive account or connect it to Zapier if you haven't before, then click **Continue**.  Once you've connected your account, click **Continue. **You'll be able to choose the Drive for which you want to automatically create shortened links, as well as test each step of your Zap.  Next, click the dropdown menus to select the Google Drive and folder that will trigger your Zap. Zapier will only watch for new files in this folder. If you don't select a specific folder, your Zap will create a link for every new file created in the specified drive. Click **Continue**. Next, test the trigger.  You'll see a success message if Zapier finds a file. Check your test data to ensure it's a file from your selected folder. If not, you can return to the previous step, select a different folder, and retest the step. If everything looks correct, click** Continue. ** ### Customize your Bitly action step  Now we'll set up the action, which is the event a Zap performs after it's triggered. In this example, we want [Bitly](https://zapier.com/blog/automate-bitly/) to shorten our Google Drive link.  Select your URL shortener app and the event that will create a new shortened link. If you're following along, select** Bitly** and the **Create Bitlink** event, then click **Continue**.  Select (or sign in to) your URL shortener account, then click **Continue**.  If you're using our Zap template, the action will already be configured for you. If you're building from scratch, click in the _URL_ field and select **Alternate Link** from the dropdown menu. This is the Google Drive URL you want to shorten.  Then, click the _Title_ field and select **Title** from your Google Drive trigger. This is the name of your Google Drive file that will be used as the Bitlink title. Click inside the_ URL _field and select **Alternate Link** from the dropdown menu. This is the Google Drive URL you want to shorten with Bitly. Click in the _Title_ field and select **Title **from the dropdown. This is the name of your Google Drive file that will be used as the Bitlink title. If you'd like to select the Bitly group and custom domain (available on paid Bitly plans), you can do so here. When you're done, click **Continue**. ### Test and begin using your Zap Now test your action. You'll see a success message and the results if the test is successful. You can go into your URL shortener account to confirm, where you should see the shortened link Zapier just created for you. If you're unhappy with something in your test, you can return to previous steps, make changes, and test again.  Once everything is set up correctly, you can begin using your Zap. If you use a different URL shortener than Bitly, here are some other Zap templates you can use instead: ## How to shorten Google Docs file links To shorten Google Doc links, the previous instructions apply. If you already use a URL shortener service, you can get started quickly with these Zaps: If you're not already using a URL shortener and don't need to track clicks, you can use [Zapier's built-in URL Shortener tool](https://zapier.com/apps/url-shortener/integrations) instead. When you pair it with [our free Chrome extension](https://go.zapier.com/install-chrome-extension/), you can automate essential tasks with a button click directly from your browser.  We'll use the Zap template below to demonstrate how.  **How to set it up:** 1. [Create your Chrome trigger](#chrome-trigger) 2. [Add the URL Shortener action](#url-action) 3. [Create a Reply to Chrome action](#reply-action) ### Before you begin If you haven't already, install the [Zapier Chrome extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/zapier/ngghlnfmdgnpegcmbpgehkbhkhkbkjpj?hl=en) from the Chrome web store. Once installed, pin it to your browser for easy access. Log in to your Zapier account and you'll see any Zaps you've created using the Chrome Extension.  ### Create your Chrome trigger If you're creating this Zap from scratch, select **Zapier Chrome extension** and the **New Push** event for your trigger, then click **Continue**. (This is already done if you're using our Zap template.) Next, you can add any extra input fields if you need to provide additional information. For example, if you plan to use the shortened link in a message, you can provide an optional message field.  If you add extra input fields, these will show up when you click on your Zap from the Chrome extension.   These are optional, though. Zapier automatically captures the tab title, page URL, timestamp, and the Zapier account that triggered the push. If you don't need anything extra, you'll just see a button in your browser once your Zap is on.   Once you've added any extra fields, click** Continue** and test the trigger. You'll see some test data you can use to set up the rest of your Zap. If you added any extra fields, you'll also see those in your result. ### Create the URL Shortener action Next, add an action step to your Zap. If you're building from scratch, select** URL Shortener by Zapier** and the **Shorten Link** event, then click **Continue**.  If you use our Zap template, the _Url_ field will already contain the tab URL from our Chrome trigger.  If you want to use a different input field, click in the _Url_ field and select the value you want to use instead.   Click **Continue** and test your action. You should see the original link and the shortened URL. Click **Continue**.  ### Add an action to return the shortened URL in Chrome Now let's set up a return response in Chrome so we can access our new shortened link. Add another step to your Zap, select the **Zapier Chrome extension** and the **Reply to Chrome** event, then click **Continue**.   Now you can customize what you want your response to say. If you use our Zap template, this is pre-filled for you, but you can change it if you'd like and use other input fields from your trigger. Click **Continue** and test your Zap. You'll see a success message with a preview of the Chrome response.  Once your Zap is on, you'll see your Zap available within the Chrome extension.  ## How to shorten Google Form URLs Google already supports shortening Google Form links. Luckily it's pretty straightforward.  Open the Google Form you want to share, and click **Send**.  A window will pop up with several share options. Click on the hyperlink symbol and then the checkbox next to _Shorten URL_. Click on the checkbox next to _Shorten URL. _ And now your link is automatically shortened for you to copy and paste where you need it. ## Shorten long hyperlinks automatically Whether you're trying to save characters or want to track who's opening your files, you can shorten any URL automatically with Zapier. If you haven't yet found a URL shortener tool for your needs, we've [tested out other options](https://zapier.com/blog/best-url-shorteners/) you might like. _This piece was originally published in March 2021 and was updated in May 2023 with contributions from Krystina Martinez._