Gsuite / Google for Work user?<p>There is a newly enforced limit on (paid!) Google Workspace accounts - you can only share files with non-Google users up to 5 times each calendar month. Note that this doesn't cap external accounts, just those that are non-Google. So want to share with your personal Gmail account - no problem. More than 5 @hotmails - nope!<p>Only way around is to upgrade to a plan that is double the price.<p>"Important: If you use a Google Workspace Business Starter or Frontline account, you can share files up to 5 times each calendar month with non-Google accounts. Each time is defined as sharing one document with one visitor."<p>Not sure who at Google thought this was the right way to upsell business accounts. Also, there is no mention of this limit in any plan description (eg. <a href="https://support.google.com/a/answer/6043385" rel="nofollow">https://support.google.com/a/answer/6043385</a>).<p>Feels like a shake-down.
This is almost certainly an abuse prevention measure. Sharing a file sends an email to the person it's being shared with, so it's an attractive vector for spammers.<p>Paid accounts get to bypass the limit because spammers aren't going to bother -- if they've got a valid credit card, there's much more effective ways of using that to send bulk email.