How to Make Comments Anonymous in Google Docs (2025 Guide)
In this article, we will show you exactly how to make comments anonymous in Google Docs in just a few simple steps. Read on to learn more.
Make Comments Anonymous in Google Docs
Here’s how to set up anonymous comments in Google Docs.
1. Open the Document and Click “Share” in the Top Right
To start, open the document where you want to enable anonymous comments. In the top right corner, click the “Share” button to access sharing and permission settings.
2. Open General Access Settings by Clicking “Restricted”
In the sharing settings window, go to the “General access” section and click the “Restricted” dropdown. This will allow you to modify who can view or comment on the document.
3. Set Access to “Anyone with the Link” to Allow Anonymous Viewing
From the dropdown options, select “Anyone with the link.” This setting allows anyone with the link to access the document, making it possible for users to comment anonymously.
4. Change Access Level to “Commenter” for Anonymous Commenting
Click on the “Viewer” dropdown and choose “Commenter.” This gives people with the link permission to add comments without allowing them to edit the document, maintaining document security.
5. Copy the Link for Sharing with Others
Click “Copy link” to copy the document link to your clipboard. You can now share this link with anyone who needs to leave an anonymous comment on the document.
6. Open an Incognito Window to Test Anonymous Commenting
To ensure comments are anonymous, open a new incognito window in your browser. Click the three dots in the upper right corner and select “New incognito window.” This lets you verify how comments will appear when posted anonymously.
7. Paste the Link into the Incognito Window and Open the Document
In the incognito window, paste the link into the address bar and press Enter. This will open the document as an anonymous user, allowing you to confirm that the commenting permissions work as expected.
8. Highlight the Text You Want to Comment On and Click the Comment Icon
Once the document is open, highlight any text you’d like to comment on. Click the Add comment icon that appears to leave feedback anonymously.
9. Confirm “Anonymous” Label for Comment and Submit
Ensure that your comment shows “Anonymous” as the author. Type your feedback, then click “Comment” to post it. This confirms that comments will appear as anonymous for others viewing the document.
10. Verify Your Comment Displays as “Anonymous” in the Document
Check that your comment now appears with the Anonymous label. Anyone with the document link will see comments without identifying who made them.
We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to anonymize comments on Google Docs. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our articles on how to add comments on Google Docs and how to see resolved comments in Google Docs.
