What a Lootlabs link is and why you'd use one

A Lootlabs link is a shareable URL that points to a file or folder stored in your Lootlabs account, similar to how you might share a Google Drive or Dropbox link. Instead of emailing a large file or uploading it to multiple places, you create one link that others can access directly. The person receiving the link can view, read, or collaborate on the file depending on the permissions you set.

You use Lootlabs links when you need to share work with teammates, clients, or collaborators without giving them access to your entire account. The link stays the same even if you move the file around in your Lootlabs storage, so you don't have to resend it. You can also revoke the link at any time to stop sharing.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any file or folder in Lootlabs and select "Share" or "Get link" to generate a shareable URL.
  • You can set permissions to allow viewing only, downloading, or editing, depending on what you want the recipient to do.
  • Lootlabs links work without requiring the recipient to have a Lootlabs account or log in.
  • You can change or disable a link at any time, and the URL remains stable even if you rename or move the file.
  • Password protection and expiration dates are available on most Lootlabs plans to add security to shared links.

Step-by-step: Creating a basic Lootlabs link

Open your Lootlabs account and navigate to the file or folder you want to share. Right-click on it (or tap and hold on mobile) and look for an option labeled "Share," "Get link," or "Generate link" — the exact wording depends on your Lootlabs version. Click that option.

Lootlabs will generate a URL and display it in a dialog box. The link is already created at this point. Copy the URL by clicking the copy button next to it, then paste it into an email, message, or document. The recipient can click the link when ready and access the file without needing to create an account or sign in.

By default, most Lootlabs links allow viewing and downloading. If you want to restrict what the recipient can do, look for a "Permissions" or "Access level" dropdown in the same dialog before copying the link. You can usually choose between "View only," "read," or "Edit" depending on your plan.

Setting permissions and access levels

When you create a Lootlabs link, you control what the person who receives it can do. View only means they can see the file in their browser but cannot read or change it — useful for sharing documents you want people to read but not take copies of. read allows them to save a copy to their own device while still preventing edits. Edit lets them modify the file directly in Lootlabs, which is helpful for collaborative work.

To change permissions after creating a link, go back to the file, right-click it again, and select "Share" or "Manage link." You'll see the current permission level and can change it. The link itself stays the same — only what people can do with it changes. If you want to prevent all access, you can disable or delete the link entirely from this menu.

Adding password protection and expiration dates

If your Lootlabs plan includes security features, you can add a password to your link so only people who know the password can access it. When you create or edit a link, look for a "Password protect" checkbox or toggle. Enter a password, then share both the link and the password separately — never in the same message. This prevents someone who intercepts the link from using it without the password.

You can also set an expiration date so the link stops working after a certain date. This is useful when sharing sensitive information or files that are only relevant for a limited time. In the link settings, find "Expiration" or "Link expires" and choose a date. After that date passes, anyone who tries to use the link will see an error message, and you won't need to manually disable it.

Sharing the link across different platforms

Once you have your Lootlabs link copied, you can paste it anywhere: email, Slack, Teams, Discord, text message, or a document. The link works the same way regardless of where you send it. Some platforms will automatically preview the link or show a thumbnail of the file, while others will just display the URL as text.

If you're sharing in a workplace chat tool like Slack or Microsoft Teams, consider whether you want the link visible to everyone in that channel or only to specific people. You can also send the link in a direct message to keep it more private. Remember that anyone with the link can access the file unless you've password-protected it, so be intentional about who you send it to.

Tracking who accessed your shared link

Some Lootlabs plans show you activity logs that tell you when someone opened or downloaded a file through a shared link. To check this, go to the file, open its sharing settings, and look for an "Activity" or "View details" option. You'll see timestamps and sometimes the IP address or device type of the person who accessed it, though you usually won't see their name unless they signed in to Lootlabs.

This feature is helpful when you need to confirm that someone received and opened a document, or when you want to know how many people have downloaded a file. If you notice unexpected access, you can disable the link when ready to stop further downloads.

Updating or disabling a Lootlabs link

If you need to change what file the link points to, you cannot edit the link itself — you have to create a new one. However, you can update the file that the link currently points to. If you edit the document, rename it, or add new versions, anyone using the existing link will see the updated content automatically. The URL stays the same, so you don't have to resend it.

To stop sharing, right-click the file, go to sharing settings, and delete or disable the link. This when ready prevents anyone from accessing it, even if they already have the URL. If you want to share the same file again later, you can create a new link with different permissions or security settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do people need a Lootlabs account to open my link?

No. Lootlabs links work for anyone with the URL, whether or not they have an account. They can view or read the file directly in their browser without signing in. If you've password-protected the link, they'll need to enter the password, but still no account required.

Can I change the URL of a Lootlabs link after I create it?

No, the URL is permanent once generated. If you need a different link, create a new one. However, you can update the file the link points to, and anyone using the link will see the new version automatically without needing a new URL.

What happens if I move or delete the file after sharing the link?

If you move the file to a different folder in Lootlabs, the link still works — it follows the file. If you delete the file entirely, the link will stop working and show an error message to anyone who tries to use it. You can restore deleted files from your Lootlabs trash to reactivate the link.

Can I see who downloaded my file through a shared link?

On most Lootlabs plans, yes. Check the file's activity log or sharing details to see when the link was accessed and sometimes which device or IP address was used. You won't always see the person's name unless they signed into Lootlabs, but you'll see the access timestamp.

Is there a limit to how many people can use one Lootlabs link?

No. One link can be shared with unlimited people, and they can all access it simultaneously. Some plans may have limits on total storage or bandwidth, but not on the number of people using a single shared link.