NotesmakrHelp Guide

Viewing a Shared Note

Understand what viewers see when they open your shared study note in a web browser and how they can read it

When someone opens your shared study note link, they get a read-only web page in their browser. This guide explains what viewers see and how they can read your shared content.

Shared note page on a desktop browser, showing the note title, the Overview, Reading and Study Tools tabs, and the start of the note

The Viewer Experience

A Read-Only Web Page

The note opens in a browser, so there is nothing to install. The page also shows an app banner with App Store and Play Store buttons, so viewers can find the Notesmakr app.

Adapts to Any Screen

The layout adapts to phones, tablets, and desktops.

No Account Required

Viewers don't need a Notesmakr account to read your note, and there is no sign-in on the page. They only need the link.

Page Layout

Header Section

At the top of the shared note card, viewers see:

Eyebrow Label A small SHARED STUDY GUIDE label above the title.

Note Title Your study note's title, displayed prominently.

Author Credit (Optional) Created by followed by your name, only if you've enabled "Show author name" in share settings.

Three Tabs

Below the header are three tabs:

  • Overview — The note's summary, Key Concepts to Remember, and tags, when your note has them
  • Reading — The note's content. This tab is open by default
  • Study Tools — A pointer to the Notesmakr app (see below)

At the bottom of the note, viewers see Shared followed by when the link was shared (for example, "Today", "Yesterday", or "2 weeks ago"), and a views count. This is the date the note was shared, not the date it was created.

The Reading Tab

Reading View

  • Simplified content (your Feynman explanation) if available
  • Falls back to original content if no simplified version exists
  • Content is split into pages
  • Read-only (no highlighting or annotating for viewers)

Reading tab of a shared note with a chapter heading, body text, and the page number and Next button

Interactive Features for Viewers

Read the Content

Viewers can move through your shared note one page at a time:

  • A page counter such as 1 / 3 shows where they are
  • Tap Next and Previous to turn pages
  • On a touchscreen, swipe left or right to turn pages

The Study Tools Tab

The Study Tools tab lists Flashcards, Quiz, Q&A Session, and Mind Map. It does not show your own flashcards, quizzes, or mind maps. Tapping one opens a short note about the Notesmakr app with links to the app stores.

Note: Your study tools remain private. Viewers only see the content of your note.

What Viewers DON'T See

Study Tools

Your study tools are NOT shared:

  • Flashcards
  • Quizzes
  • Mind maps

Personal Annotations

All personal annotations remain private:

  • Typed notes
  • Handwritten drawings
  • Voice recordings
  • Highlights, underlines, and strikethroughs you added

Study Progress

Your personal study stats remain private:

  • Study time
  • Comprehension levels
  • Last studied dates
  • Progress tracking

Folders and Organization

Your folders and collections are not shown.

Profile Details

Unless you enable "Show author name":

  • Viewers don't see your name
  • Your email and contact info are not shown
  • Your other study notes aren't visible

Edit Capabilities

Viewers can only read. They cannot:

  • Edit your note content
  • Highlight or annotate while viewing
  • Delete or change anything

Mobile Experience

On a phone, the page uses a single-column layout:

  • Page-by-page navigation with swipe gestures
  • The same Previous and Next buttons as on desktop
  • A layout that adapts to the screen size

The shared note page at phone width next to the desktop layout

View Count

The page shows a views count at the bottom, and every viewer can see it.

  • A view is counted once per browser session, so reloading the page in the same tab does not add another
  • The number may not update the instant someone opens the page
  • You can't see who specifically viewed your note

Discoverability

Public vs Unlisted Sharing

Public Sharing:

  • Search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) can index your note
  • Public notes are listed in the Notesmakr sitemap used by search engines
  • Anyone with the link can open it

Unlisted Sharing:

  • Only accessible via direct link
  • Search engines are asked not to index it
  • Perfect for sharing with specific people

You can choose your visibility setting on the share page and change it anytime. There is no browsable list of public notes on the site.

If you stop sharing a note, its link no longer works.

Viewer Privacy

Anonymous Viewing

Viewers can read shared notes without creating an account or providing any personal information.

Aggregate Counts Only

The view count is a simple total. You can't see who specifically viewed your note.

Common Viewer Questions

"Can I edit this note?"

No, shared notes are read-only.

"Do I need an account to view?"

No, anyone with the link can view without creating an account.

"Are study tools (flashcards, quizzes) included?"

No, your study tools remain private. The Study Tools tab only points viewers to the Notesmakr app.

"Can I add my own annotations?"

Not on the shared web page. It is read-only.

Troubleshooting Viewer Issues

  • Check that the full URL was copied correctly
  • Verify the creator hasn't stopped sharing
  • Try opening in a different browser or incognito mode

"Content isn't displaying"

  • Check your internet connection
  • Refresh the page
  • Try a different browser

Next Steps

Now that you understand the viewer experience:

  • Review your own shared notes to see how they appear to viewers
  • Learn how to share a note
  • Check the view count to see how much interest your note gets