If you're a content creator regularly sharing Google Docs with your audience, you've no doubt struggled with this issue...
Despite giving clear instructions that people should go to File > Make a Copy before using the template, there are always people who click the link and start editing the document directly!
Well I have the solution you've been looking for...
Hack your Google Docs sharing link
This quick little trick will force your users to make a copy BEFORE they get access to the document so that it is copied to their account before they have any access and can make any changes.
Get your sharing link
Go to the sharing dialogue, select "get shareable link", select "anyone with the link can view", then select "copy link".
Paste the link somewhere
Before you share this link with anyone, we need to make a change. Paste the link into a note or text editor; it should look like this:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/<spreadsheetID>/**edit?usp=sharing**
Edit the link
We want to change the last part that I have highlighted in bold so that instead it says copy and looks like this:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/<spreadsheetID>/**copy**
Share it
Send the new link to your contacts, knowing that when the recipient clicks the link, they'll immediately be prompted to make their own copy before they can use the document.
Bonus Tip: If you regularly use the document yourself as a template, bookmark the link so that you go straight to the "make a copy" prompt.
This trick also works for Google Sheets and Google Slides!
Don't change any parts in the middle; the <spreadsheetID> will be a long string of numbers and letters. This is unique for every document, so do not change it!
If you are using a GSuite or Education account (your email address doesn't end with "gmail.com"), this trick may not work for you as stricter sharing settings are often set by account administrators.