To view Google Docs anonymously, either sign out of your account or use incognito mode. This ensures you appear as a generic “Anonymous Animal” icon, like a fox or giraffe, protecting your identity.
When privacy is paramount, Google Docs offers these anonymity features to foster a secure environment. Whether collaborating on a sensitive document or simply reviewing shared content, these steps ensure your personal details remain undisclosed, allowing you to navigate with peace of mind.
Contents
How To View Google Docs Anonymously
Here are two ways to view Google Docs anonymously:
Method 1: Sign Out From Your Google Account
If you’re signed in to your Google account, chances are that your name and profile photo will be visible when you’re viewing or editing a document. To view Google Docs anonymously, simply “Sign out” (or “Sign out of all accounts” if you are logged in to multiple accounts) of your account by clicking on your profile picture in the top right-hand corner and selecting the Sign Out option.
Method 2: Use Incognito Mode
Another way to view Google Docs anonymously is by using Incognito mode in your browser. When you browse the web in Incognito mode, your browsing history and cookies are not saved, which means that your activity cannot be traced back to you.
To launch an Incognito window in Google Chrome, tap the three dots at the top right and choose ‘New Incognito Window’.
In Mozilla Firefox, click on the three bars in the top right-hand corner and select ‘New Private Window’.
Note that the document needs to be set to “Anyone with the link can view” in order to view it for both methods.
What is Anonymous Animal in Google Docs?
When you open a Google Docs that’s not shared with you, you’re automatically assigned an “Anonymous Animal” icon. This is a random image and name that’s used to represent you in the Google Docs interface. Your real name and identity are not tied to this icon, so you can remain completely anonymous while using Google Docs.
Your original name and identity will be shown instead of your “Anonymous Animal” icon if you’re viewing a Google Docs document that’s shared with you by someone else and you are logged in. Note that this only applies to documents that are shared with you specifically.
Conclusion
That’s it! By following one of the methods above, you can view Google Docs anonymously without having to worry about your privacy. Do you have any other tips for remaining anonymous online? Let us know in the comments below.
