AJC-IDEAS: How to Deliver PDF and MP3 Files in Moodle Using Google Drive

How to Deliver PDF and MP3 Files in Moodle Using Google Drive (Without Showing the Direct Link)

Are you creating an online course but don’t have enough storage on your educational platform?
Do you want to share files like PDFs or MP3 audios with your students without letting them download them for free or share them around?
This post is your practical and free solution.

Today, you’ll learn how to use Google Drive to host your files and then insert them into Moodle without showing the direct link to students.
It’s not bulletproof security—but it's more than enough to protect your materials from misuse.

Why Use Google Drive with Moodle?

Moodle—especially if you're using platforms like MooDIY—comes with very little storage space (as little as 1 GB in some cases). And if you offer multiple levels or a lot of resources, that space runs out quickly.

Google Drive gives you:

15 GB of free storage per account
Uploading of PDFs and MP3s without restrictions
Controlled access (you decide who sees it)
And best of all: No ads for your students

Step-by-Step: How to Host Files on Google Drive and Use Them in Moodle

1. Upload Your File to Google Drive

Go to https://drive.google.com
Click “New” > “File upload”
Select your PDF or MP3 and wait for the upload to complete

2. Set the File to “Anyone with the Link”

This step makes the file accessible—but not yet visible inside Moodle.

Right-click the file
Click “Get link”
Change access from “Restricted” to “Anyone with the link”
Copy the link

3. (Optional but Useful) Convert the Link into a Direct Download Link

The default Google Drive link looks like this:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AbCDEFGHIJKLM/view?usp=sharing

To make Moodle open it as a direct download (bypassing the Google Viewer), change it like this:
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1AbCDEFGHIJKLM

You just need to copy the file ID and insert it into this new structure.

4. Insert the Link in Moodle as a “URL Resource” or Embed It

Option 1: Use the Link as a Downloadable Resource

Go to your course in Moodle
Click “Turn editing on”
Click “Add an activity or resource”
Select “URL” and click “Add”
In the Name field, write something like “Download PDF Level 1”
In External URL, paste your modified link (from step 3)
Save changes

Option 2: Embed the File (Without Showing the Link)

If you'd rather students view the file directly in the platform without seeing the link:

Open the file in Google Drive
Click “Open with Google Viewer”
Click the three-dot icon (⋮) and choose “Embed item”
Copy the <iframe>...</iframe> code
In Moodle, add a “Label” or “Page”
Paste the code in the HTML view (</> or “source code” button)

This way, they see the content—but not the link.

BONUS: How to Prevent Students from Sharing the Link

Although this method doesn’t fully block access sharing, it makes it significantly harder:

You don’t give students the direct file link
The file is embedded inside Moodle, not shared externally
Only logged-in students can see it
Add a usage policy in your course terms to protect yourself even more

Conclusion: Simple, Free, and Effective Protection for Your Digital Resources

You don’t need to pay for premium services or deal with complicated systems.
Using Google Drive + Moodle, you can professionally deliver premium content without exposing yourself to mass theft of your work.

Perfect for independent educators, small academies, or digital course creators.

✍ Author:
AJC_IDEAS – Strategies to teach online, build courses from scratch, and earn money without complications.

Keywords:

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