# Post from a Google Drive link

Canonical: https://status200uploads.com/integrations/cloud-links

Checked on 26 October 2026.

Share the file in Google Drive with "Anyone with the link", then give us the link: through the REST API (POST /api/v2/media) or by asking an AI app connected to our MCP server. We turn the share link into the file itself, import it under the name Drive gives it, and you post it by its file_id like any other file. Converting a share link is included in every paid plan.

Tested on 9 October 2026.

## What you need

- Included in every paid plan, from Beginner.
- **A file shared with anyone:** In Google Drive, the file's General access must be "Anyone with the link". A link that only people you added can open is refused, before anything is imported.
- **One file, not a folder:** A link to a single video or image. A folder, a Google Docs document or a Google Photos album is refused: link the file itself.
- **On Free:** A Free account imports only a link that already downloads the file: a drive.usercontent.google.com link, or a Google Drive uc link with export=download. A share link that needs converting is answered 403 plan_limit_reached.
- **A way to send it:** An rl_ API key for the REST API, or an AI app connected to our MCP server, such as Claude. [The API reference](https://status200uploads.com/docs/api)

## Steps

1. **Share the file** In Google Drive, right-click the video or image, choose Share, set General access to "Anyone with the link" and copy the link. It looks like https://drive.google.com/file/d/.../view?usp=sharing.
2. **Import it** Send the link as the url of POST https://status200uploads.com/api/v2/media, or ask your AI app to import it (it uses status200_upload_media_from_url). The answer gives the file_id once the file is ready; a large file keeps importing, and GET https://status200uploads.com/api/v2/media?file_id= says when it is ready.
3. **Post it** Put the file_id in the post's content.mediaID list and publish or schedule it, to as many networks as you like: one import, one request per network.

## What it can do

- **Import a shared file:** A Google Drive file shared with "Anyone with the link" is imported under the name Drive gives it; a file with no name is saved as file.<ext>, for example file.mp4.
- **From an AI app:** An AI app connected to our MCP server imports the link with status200_upload_media_from_url and posts the file; Claude posted to Instagram and TikTok from a Drive link this way.
- **Clear refusals:** A link that cannot give one file is refused before anything is imported, with its own code, a next_step and the provider, and the 20-second wait between imports does not start.

## Google Drive

Links to a single file in Google Drive (drive.google.com/file/d/..., with /view or without) are converted to the file itself on the paid plans. Links that already download the file, such as drive.usercontent.google.com or a uc link with export=download, are imported on every plan. Google Docs, Sheets and Slides are documents, not files to post, and are refused as link_not_a_file.

## A worked example

Import a Drive video with the REST API, then post it with the file_id from the answer.

Import from a Google Drive share link (replace rl_your_api_key and the link)

```bash
curl -X POST 'https://status200uploads.com/api/v2/media' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer rl_your_api_key' \
  -d '{"url": "https://drive.google.com/file/d/YOUR_FILE_ID/view?usp=sharing"}'
```

## Limits and safe retries

- One media import starts every 20 seconds per account; a refusal decided from the link or the plan does not start that wait.
- Videos up to 5 GB and images up to 20 MB, as for any import; each network's own limit still applies when you post.
- Imported media is kept 7 days, and until a scheduled post that uses it has gone out.
- Google limits how often a shared file can be downloaded. When it stops a file, the import is refused as link_temporarily_blocked, usually for about 24 hours.

## Troubleshooting

**The answer is link_not_public.** The file is not shared with "Anyone with the link". Open Share in Drive, change General access, and send the link again.

**The answer is link_is_folder.** The link opens a folder. Open the folder, share the file itself, and send that link.

**The answer is link_not_found.** The file was deleted, moved to the trash, or the link was mistyped. Copy the link again from Drive.

**The answer is link_not_a_file.** The link opens a document or an album, not a video or an image. Link a video or an image file.

**The answer is link_temporarily_blocked.** Google is not letting the file be downloaded for now. Try again in about a day, or upload the file in the dashboard under Media.

**The answer is 403 plan_limit_reached.** The account is on Free, which imports only links that already download the file. Send a drive.usercontent.google.com link, or upgrade to a paid plan.

## Questions

### How do I post a video from Google Drive?

Share it with "Anyone with the link", import the link with POST /api/v2/media or through an AI app, and post the file_id the answer gives you.

### Does it work on the Free plan?

Partly. Free imports a link that already downloads the file, such as a drive.usercontent.google.com link. Converting a normal share link is included in every paid plan, from Beginner.

### Can I share a whole folder?

No. A folder link is refused as link_is_folder. Share each file on its own and import its link.

### Do Google Photos links work?

No. A Google Photos link opens an album page, not a file, and is refused. Download the photo or video and upload it in the dashboard, or put it in Google Drive and share that file.

### Can Claude post from my Drive link?

Yes, once Claude is connected to our MCP server on a paid plan. Give Claude the link and say where to post it: it imports the file with status200_upload_media_from_url and posts it.

### Does my file stay private?

The link must be shared with "Anyone with the link" for the import to read it, so anyone who has the link can open the file. Change General access back to Restricted after the import if you like: we keep our own copy for 7 days.

## Related

- [TikTok](https://status200uploads.com/platforms/tiktok)
- [Instagram](https://status200uploads.com/platforms/instagram)
- [YouTube](https://status200uploads.com/platforms/youtube)
- [REST API](https://status200uploads.com/integrations/rest-api)
- [Claude](https://status200uploads.com/integrations/claude)
- [AI agents (MCP)](https://status200uploads.com/integrations/mcp)
- [Import media, in the API reference](https://status200uploads.com/docs/api#post-media)
- [File limits of every network](https://status200uploads.com/docs/file-limits)
- [Pricing](https://status200uploads.com/pricing)