What’s going on? How it impacts you!
Google is in the process of changing some of its linking protocols which will require “outdated” links on our websites and documents to be updated. Not every link will need to be updated. Read below to understand the specific requirements.
- Starting January 5th, 2022 any user clicking on an outdated link will lose access to documents/folders
- If the links are not changed, people will get a “request for access” screen instead of what they would have previously accessed without any issues
- Owners of Drive documents/folders that are being accessed with outdated links will receive emails asking for Editor access
What does an “outdated” Google Drive link look like? Great Question!
When you hover your cursor over a hyperlink on your site, you will see the URL displayed at the bottom of the screen. Here is what you are looking for:
Outdated Version
Needs to be updated (Google security level 0)
The first number in the URL is a zero
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B13hERGxqDqDcjhOR0ppckJ1X2c
Updated Version
Acceptable (Google security level 1)
The first number in the URL is a zero BUT the link has a “resource key”
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2SJp-WVjVPrb25NNXRWbWtCYWs?resourcekey=0-G_0dVFn0W27KPOlQt731Wg&usp=sharing
Latest Version
Perfect (Google security level 2)
The first number in the URL is a one
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xh1ppplET8RZlRns
O1nUnd99OQOS5V0O/view
Video Tutorial
Watch a video to see how to update outdated Google Drive links! (click the square in the bottom right-hand corner to view full screen)
Got a Request for Editor Access?
Reply with a message like this:
Greetings,
The link that you clicked to access <insert name of document/folder> that asked to provide your email is an outdated link. Help us update it!
Can you tell me where you accessed it? If it was a website, please send me the URL. If it was an email, please forward it to me.
Thank you for your assistance!
Universal Links
Instead of linking directly to Drive, use these when applicable:
Report Cards
Course Catalogs
Student Handbook
Dress Code
Academies
If you are looking for any item that might have a universal district link, check out the District’s A-Z index
What happens if...?
What happens if you do not update outdated links on your sites and documents?
- Users will be redirected to a login screen (pictured to the right) instead of being able to access the documents/folder, even though the document/folder is already shared with “anyone with a link”
- If the user puts their email in and submits it, the owner of the document will receive an email requesting that the user be added as an “editor” on that document. You may not be the owner and therefore won’t know the link is broken
- The owner will have no idea where the link is that the user clicked on that needs to be fixed
- The user will want to know why you haven’t given them access to the link they requested
Found an Outdated Link?
Need help?
Contact your Instructional Technology Specialist if you are at a campus.
If you are not on a campus, contact the district webmaster.