How to make a shared link expire (or cap its views)
Sometimes a link shouldn’t live forever. A quote that’s only good this quarter, a preview for a review window, a deck you’d rather not have circulating six months from now. The fix is a small set of link controls that sit on top of who-can-open-it: an expiration date, a view limit, and view-only mode.
The three controls
1. Expiration date
Give the link a cutoff. After the date and time you pick, anyone who opens it sees a short “this link has expired” notice instead of the page — you don’t have to remember to switch it off. You, the owner, can still open and manage it.
2. View limit
Close the link after a set number of opens. Once it hits the cap, further visitors get a “no longer available” notice. Handy when something is meant for a small, specific audience — share a link that self-closes after, say, 25 views. The count is the same one behind your view analytics, so the limit and your numbers never disagree.
3. View-only (no download)
For a PDF or image, turn on view-only to hide the download button and show the file inline only. It raises the effort to save a copy — good for a deck or document you want read but not passed around. It’s a deterrent, not DRM: someone determined can still screenshot or re-fetch.
Why not an attachment or a raw AI link?
An email attachment is a copy — once it’s sent, you can’t expire it, cap it, or tell who opened it. A raw Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini share link is a bare public URL with no controls at all. Hosting the page behind a real link gives you the dials.
Side by side
| Raw AI link | Email attachment | Shareable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expire on a date | |||
| Close after N views | |||
| View-only (no download) | PDF / image | ||
| See who opened it | |||
| Change your mind later | Already sent | Same link |
Set it once, change it anytime
Because the page lives at a link you control — not in someone’s inbox — you can add an expiration after the fact, extend it, or lift a view limit, all without sending a new link. You can even set controls when you publish from your AI assistant over the MCP server: “share this, expire it Friday, and make it view-only.”
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a shared link expire on a certain date?
Use a sharing tool with built-in link controls. On Shareable you open the Share dialog, turn on Expiration, and pick a date — after it, anyone who opens the link sees an "expired" notice instead of the page. You can also do it over the API or by asking your AI assistant to set it.
Can I limit how many times a link can be opened?
Yes — set a view limit. Once the link hits the number of views you chose, further visitors get a "no longer available" notice. It uses the same counter as your view analytics, so the cap and your view count always agree.
How do I share a PDF that can be viewed but not downloaded?
Turn on view-only (download disabled). The PDF or image is shown inline and the download button is hidden. It raises the effort to save a copy — a good deterrent, though not DRM, since anyone determined can still screenshot.
Do expiring links work for pages made with AI?
Yes. Paste the HTML from Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini into Shareable (or publish via the MCP server) and set an expiration, a view limit, or view-only — none of which the AI tools’ own share links offer.
Do you need a paid plan for link controls?
On Shareable, link controls — expiration, view limits, and view-only — are part of Pro ($9/mo, or $7.50 billed yearly). The free plan still shares with full access control and view counts, no credit card. DocSend-style tools gate similar controls behind higher-priced plans.
Share your next AI-made page in seconds
Paste the HTML or publish from your AI — get a link with access control, analytics, and a heads-up when it’s opened.