Google Sites Sharing Settings Made Simple
TL;DR:
- Control who can view or edit your Google Site through sharing settings
- Three access levels: View (read-only), Edit (can modify content), Owner (full control)
- Share with specific people via email or create public links
- Regularly review permissions to keep your site secure
- Access sharing controls through the "Share" button in your site editor
Google Sites makes it easy to control who can access your website. Whether you want to keep it private for your team or make it public for everyone, the sharing settings give you complete control.
Setting Up Site Permissions
Finding the Sharing Controls
Open your Google Site and look for the "Share" button in the top right corner of the editor. This is your control centre for all permissions.
Adding Specific People
Click "Share with people and groups" and enter email addresses for anyone you want to give access to. You'll need to choose their permission level:
View access – They can see your site but can't change anything
Edit access – They can modify content but can't change site settings or add new editors
Owner access – Full control including adding others and changing permissions
Setting Link Sharing
Under "Get Link", click "Change" to adjust who can access your site via a direct link:
Restricted – Only people you've specifically invited can access
Anyone with the link – Anyone who has the URL can view your site
Public on the web – Your site appears in search results and anyone can find it
Managing Access Levels
View Permission
Perfect for clients, stakeholders, or anyone who needs to see your content but shouldn't make changes. They can browse all pages but won't see any editing tools.
Edit Permission
Good for team members who need to add or update content. They can create new pages, edit existing content, and upload files, but they can't change the site's overall settings or invite new people.
Owner Permission
Reserve this for people who need complete control. Owners can delete the site, change its URL, modify all settings, and manage other users' permissions. Only give owner access to people you trust completely.
Security Best Practices
Check your site's permissions regularly, especially if you're working on sensitive projects. Remove access for anyone who no longer needs it.
If you're sharing edit access with multiple people, consider using "Anyone with the link" set to view-only for wider distribution, while keeping edit access restricted to specific email addresses.
For public sites, remember that "Public on the web" means search engines will index your content. If you want to control discovery, stick with "Anyone with the link" instead.
FAQs
How do I remove someone's access to my Google Site?
Go to the Share settings, find their email address in the list, and click the dropdown next to their name. Select "Remove" to revoke their access completely.
Can I see who has viewed my Google Site?
No, Google Sites doesn't provide viewing analytics or visitor logs. You can only see who has permission to access your site, not who actually visited it.
What happens if I change someone from Owner to Editor?
They'll lose the ability to manage permissions, change site settings, or delete the site. They'll keep their ability to edit content. Google will notify them of the permission change.
Can I set different permissions for different pages?
No, Google Sites permissions apply to the entire site. Everyone with access can see all pages unless you create separate sites for different content.
Jargon Buster
Permissions – The level of access someone has to your site (view, edit, or owner)
Restricted sharing – Only people you've specifically invited can access your site
Public on the web – Your site can be found by search engines and appears in Google search results
Link sharing – Allowing access to anyone who has your site's URL
Wrap-up
Google Sites permissions are straightforward once you understand the three access levels and how link sharing works. Start restrictive and open up access as needed rather than the other way around. Regular permission reviews keep your site secure and ensure only the right people have access to your content.
Ready to build something amazing? Check out our complete Google Sites course for step-by-step guidance.