Anonymous or Unknown People in a Google File (2024)

Environment

U-M Google

Issue

Who are the "anonymous animals" or people I don't recognize viewing my Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation?

Resolution

Someone you don’t know might be looking at your file because:

• The file is shared with a mailing list.
• The file is shared with a person who doesn’t have a Google Account or isn’t signed in.
• Someone who can edit your file or has the link shared it with other people.
• Someone changed their Google Account name. You can see their email address when you clickShare.

Limit how people can view your file

• You canRestrictlink sharing for a file.
• You canPrevent others from sharing files you own.

"Anonymous animals"

If you share or open a file with a link, you may not see the names of people who view it.

• People you didn’t invite individually will show as "anonymous animals" when they’re in the file.
• People you invite individually will show by name when they’re in the file.

You can only see other people’s names when you give them individual permission to view a file or if they are part of a mailing list.

If you restrictlink sharing, you still might see multiple anonymous animals:

• When someone opens the file multiple times.
  • It may take some time for people no longer viewing to disappear.
• If someone opens the link through a messenger service.
  • Some services will check links for phishing, virus attacks, or malware.
• When someone uses a browser extension or script that automatically follows the link.

Additional Information

More about this can be found here:https://support.google.com/docs/answer/2494888

Need additional information or assistance? Contact theITS Service Center.