How to Track Changes in Google Docs: Complete 2026 Guide

Intro

Google Docs is built for collaboration.

Multiple people can write, edit, comment, review, and approve content without emailing different document versions back and forth.

But if you're used to Microsoft Word, you may immediately start looking for a button called:

Track Changes

You won't find one.

Google Docs handles the same basic workflow through a feature called Suggesting mode.

When Suggesting mode is enabled, changes aren't immediately applied to the original text.

Instead, Google Docs records them as suggestions that can later be accepted or rejected.

This makes it particularly useful for:

• Writers
• Editors
• Content teams
• Students
• Agencies
• Marketing teams
• Legal reviews
• Client approvals
• Collaborative documents

In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to track changes in Google Docs in 2026.

Does Google Docs Have Track Changes?

Yes, effectively.

Google Docs doesn't use the name Track Changes.

Instead, the feature is called:

Suggesting

Suggesting mode allows someone to make proposed edits without permanently changing the document.

The document owner or another authorized collaborator can then review each suggestion and choose to:

• Accept it
• Reject it
• Reply to it
• Discuss it

If you're moving between Microsoft Word and Google Docs, the two systems are designed around a very similar editorial workflow.

What Is Suggesting Mode in Google Docs?

Suggesting mode lets you propose changes to a document while preserving the existing content until those changes are approved.

For example, imagine a sentence says:

Our software allows customers to track keyword rankings.

An editor might change it to:

Our platform allows customers to monitor keyword rankings across multiple search engines.

In normal Editing mode, the original sentence would simply be replaced.

In Suggesting mode, Google Docs records the old text and proposed new text so another collaborator can review the change.

Nothing has to become permanent until someone approves it.

Google Docs Editing vs Suggesting vs Viewing

Google Docs provides different modes depending on what you want to do.

Editing Mode

Editing mode changes the document directly.

If you delete a sentence, it disappears.

If you rewrite a paragraph, the new version replaces the old one.

Use Editing mode when you have authority to make final changes.

Suggesting Mode

Suggesting mode records your proposed edits.

Use this when someone else needs to review or approve your changes.

Viewing Mode

Viewing mode allows you to read the document without changing the text.

Your available options may also depend on the permissions granted by the document owner.

Why Use Track Changes in Google Docs?

The biggest reason is accountability.

When several people are editing the same document, you need to know:

• What changed
• Who changed it
• What the previous wording was
• Whether the change was approved
• Why someone suggested the change

Without Suggesting mode, an editor could completely rewrite a paragraph and the writer might not immediately know what changed.

With Suggesting mode, the proposed modifications remain visible.

When Should You Use Suggesting Mode?

Suggesting mode is particularly useful for documents that go through an approval process.

Examples include:

Blog Posts

A writer creates the draft.

An editor suggests changes.

The writer or content manager accepts or rejects them.

Client Content

Agencies can give clients comment or suggestion access instead of allowing them to directly rewrite the final document.

Academic Work

Teachers, supervisors, or collaborators can propose corrections without removing the student's original wording immediately.

Contracts and Policies

Teams can review wording changes carefully before agreeing to a final version.

Marketing Copy

Several stakeholders may need to review messaging, claims, tone, and wording before publication.

How to Track Changes in Google Docs

Here's the basic process.

Step 1: Open the Google Doc

Open the document you want to review.

Make sure you have permission to either comment on or edit the document.

If you only have view access, you won't necessarily be able to make suggestions.

Step 2: Switch to Suggesting Mode

At the top-right area of Google Docs, find the current document mode.

If you're editing normally, it will show:

Editing

Open the mode selector and choose:

Suggesting

Once Suggesting mode is active, edits you make will be treated as proposed changes rather than immediate replacements.

Step 3: Edit the Document Normally

You don't need to use a special editing interface.

Just edit the document.

You can:

• Add words
• Delete words
• Replace sentences
• Rewrite paragraphs
• Correct spelling
• Change punctuation

Google Docs will visually mark the proposed changes.

Inserted content appears as a suggestion.

Deleted content remains visible with strikethrough formatting until the deletion is accepted.

Step 4: Add an Explanation if Necessary

Sometimes the edit itself isn't enough.

You may want to explain why you're suggesting it.

For example:

Changed this because the original sentence could imply that all rankings update in real time.

Adding context can prevent unnecessary back-and-forth between writers and editors.

Step 5: Review the Suggestion

The suggestion appears alongside the document.

A reviewer can inspect:

• Original wording
• Proposed wording
• Who suggested it
• Any accompanying discussion

Step 6: Accept or Reject the Change

The reviewer can choose:

Accept

or:

Reject

If the suggestion is accepted, the proposed change becomes part of the document.

If it is rejected, the original wording remains.

How to Accept All Suggestions in Google Docs

Large documents can contain dozens or hundreds of suggestions.

Accepting every change individually can become tedious.

Google Docs provides a way to review suggested edits together.

Open:

Tools → Review suggested edits

From there, you can preview the document with or without suggestions applied.

You can also choose options such as:

Accept all

or:

Reject all

Use this carefully.

Accepting 200 suggestions at once is fast.

It's also a good way to approve something you didn't actually mean to approve.

For important documents, review major edits individually first.

How to Reject All Suggestions

The same review interface allows you to reject multiple suggested changes.

This can be useful when:

• An editing pass went in the wrong direction
• A collaborator used the wrong style
• The document strategy changed
• You want to return to the original wording

Again, use bulk actions carefully.

How to Add Comments in Google Docs

Comments are different from suggestions.

A suggestion proposes a specific change.

A comment starts a discussion.

For example:

Suggestion:

Replace:

The product is very good.

with:

The product reduced reporting time by 35%.

Comment:

Do we have data supporting the 35% figure?

Both are useful, but they solve different problems.

When to Use Comments Instead of Suggestions

Use a comment when:

• You're asking a question
• You're unsure what the correct edit should be
• You need clarification
• You want another person's opinion
• You're flagging something for later
• The issue involves strategy rather than wording

Use a suggestion when you already know the change you're recommending.

How to See Comments in Google Docs

Google Docs includes a comment history where you can review conversations and suggestions associated with the document.

This is useful when a document has gone through several editing rounds.

You can use the comment panel to review:

• Open comments
• Resolved comments
• Suggestions
• Replies
• Previous discussions

For busy collaborative documents, this is often easier than scrolling through the document looking for every conversation manually.

How to See Resolved Comments

Resolving a comment doesn't necessarily mean the discussion disappears forever.

Open the comment history and filter for resolved comments.

This is useful when you need to understand:

• Why a decision was made
• Who approved something
• Whether a question was previously discussed
• What feedback appeared during an earlier review

Resolved comments can provide valuable editorial history.

How to Resolve a Comment

When a discussion has been completed, mark the comment as resolved.

For example:

Editor: Is this pricing still current?

Writer: Yes, checked today.

Once the question has been answered, the conversation doesn't need to remain open indefinitely.

Resolving old comments keeps active review cleaner.

Can Commenters Suggest Changes in Google Docs?

Yes.

People with appropriate commenting or editing permissions can suggest changes.

This makes Commenter access particularly useful for review workflows.

Instead of giving someone complete editing control, you can allow them to:

• Leave comments
• Suggest edits

while keeping final approval with the document owner.

How to Give Someone Comment-Only Access

Open the document's sharing settings.

Add the person's account and assign the appropriate permission level.

For someone reviewing the document but not controlling the final text, Commenter access can be a good choice.

That prevents accidental direct edits while still allowing meaningful collaboration.

Can Viewers Track Changes?

View-only access is more restricted.

If you want someone to participate in the review process, Commenter or Editor permissions are usually more appropriate.

The exact controls available depend on how the document has been shared and your organization's Google Workspace settings.

Suggesting Mode vs Version History

These two features are often confused.

They solve different problems.

Suggesting Mode

Shows proposed edits before they're accepted.

Useful for:

• Editing
• Review
• Approval
• Collaboration

Version History

Shows how the document changed over time.

Useful for:

• Recovering old content
• Seeing previous versions
• Understanding larger document changes
• Restoring an earlier state

Think of it like this:

Suggesting mode = Should we make this change?

Version history = What has already changed?

How to View Version History in Google Docs

Open:

File → Version history → See version history

You'll see previous document states and changes associated with different collaborators.

This can be extremely useful when someone accidentally removes an important section.

Instead of panicking, you can inspect an earlier version.

How to Restore an Older Google Docs Version

If the document has moved in the wrong direction, version history can help recover an earlier state.

Review the available versions.

Choose the version you want.

Then use the restore option.

Be careful when restoring an old version of an actively edited document.

Make sure you understand what newer work may be replaced.

Name Important Versions

For long-running projects, named versions can make version history much easier to understand.

Instead of seeing only timestamps, you might have:

First Draft

SEO Review

Client Review

Legal Approved

Final Version

This is particularly useful when many people contribute to the same document.

How Google Docs Handles Microsoft Word Track Changes

Google Docs and Microsoft Word can exchange documents containing tracked edits.

When Word documents with Track Changes are converted or opened in the Google Docs workflow, tracked changes can become Google Docs suggestions.

Likewise, Google Docs suggestions can become tracked changes when content moves into Microsoft Word formats.

This is useful for teams where:

• Writers use Google Docs
• Clients use Word
• Legal teams use Office
• Agencies use both

You don't necessarily have to lose the editing history simply because the document changes platforms.

Google Docs Track Changes on Mobile

Suggesting isn't limited to desktop.

Google Docs mobile apps also support suggested edits.

The interface is different from desktop, but the basic workflow is the same.

Open the document.

Open the additional options menu.

Enable:

Suggest changes

Then make your edits.

Your changes will be recorded as suggestions rather than immediately altering the original text.

How to Accept Suggestions on Mobile

On mobile, tap the highlighted suggestion.

You can then choose whether to:

• Accept it
• Reject it

This makes it possible to review content even when you're away from your computer.

For documents with hundreds of edits, desktop is still generally easier.

How to Track Changes When Editing SEO Content

Suggesting mode can be particularly useful for SEO teams.

Consider a blog article moving through this process:

1. SEO research
2. Content brief
3. Writer draft
4. SEO review
5. Editor review
6. Brand review
7. Final approval
8. Publication

Different people may want to change:

• Headings
• Keywords
• Internal links
• Examples
• Claims
• Statistics
• Meta information
• Tone
• CTAs

If everyone edits directly, it becomes difficult to understand why something changed.

Suggesting mode makes those decisions visible.

Example SEO Editing Workflow

Imagine a writer creates:

SEO tools help improve website rankings.

An SEO reviewer might suggest:

SEO tools help teams research opportunities, monitor rankings, analyze competitors, and identify technical issues.

The change isn't only grammatical.

It changes the factual claim.

Suggesting mode lets the writer and editor discuss it before the new wording becomes final.

Why Track Changes Matter for Large Content Teams

When one person writes everything, direct editing can work.

When 20 people are involved, it becomes dangerous.

Large content teams may include:

• Writers
• Editors
• SEO specialists
• Designers
• Legal reviewers
• Product managers
• Clients
• Localization teams

Tracking changes makes ownership clearer.

You can see who proposed a change instead of trying to reconstruct decisions later.

Best Practices for Using Suggesting Mode

Don't Suggest Every Tiny Preference

Not every sentence needs to be rewritten just because you would personally phrase it differently.

Focus on changes that improve:

• Accuracy
• Clarity
• Readability
• Consistency
• Brand voice
• Grammar
• Structure

Explain Major Changes

If you're deleting half a section, leave context.

Don't Accept Everything Automatically

Review suggestions before approving them.

Resolve Finished Discussions

Don't leave hundreds of dead comments open.

Use Version Names

Mark important milestones.

Control Permissions

Not every reviewer needs full edit access.

Keep One Source of Truth

Avoid simultaneously editing five exported copies of the same document.

One shared collaborative version is much easier to manage.

Common Google Docs Track Changes Mistakes

Editing in the Wrong Mode

This is probably the most common problem.

You intend to suggest changes but accidentally remain in Editing mode.

Now your edits are immediately applied.

Check your mode before starting a review.

Using Comments for Every Rewrite

If you already know the replacement wording, use a suggestion.

Don't write:

Comment: Maybe change this sentence to...

when you could simply suggest the new sentence.

Using Suggestions for Questions

If you're asking whether a statistic is accurate, use a comment.

Don't invent replacement data as a suggestion.

Accepting All Without Reviewing

Bulk approval is convenient.

It's not a substitute for reading.

Giving Everyone Editor Access

Use permission levels appropriately.

Ignoring Version History

If something goes wrong, check version history before trying to recreate deleted content manually.

Track Changes vs Comments vs Version History

Here's the easiest way to remember the difference:

Feature	Best For
Suggesting	Proposed text changes
Comments	Discussion and questions
Version History	Reviewing previous document states
Editing	Making final changes directly
Viewing	Reading without editing

A strong collaboration workflow often uses several of these together.

Google Docs Track Changes FAQ

Does Google Docs Have Track Changes?

Google Docs uses Suggesting mode, which provides functionality similar to Microsoft Word's Track Changes.

How Do I Turn on Track Changes in Google Docs?

Open the document mode selector and switch from:

Editing

to:

Suggesting

Edits you make will then appear as suggestions.

How Do I Accept Changes in Google Docs?

Click the relevant suggestion and choose:

Accept

You can also use the suggested-edits review tools to handle multiple changes.

Can I Reject Changes?

Yes.

Choose Reject on the relevant suggestion.

The original content will remain.

Can I Accept All Suggestions at Once?

Yes.

Use:

Tools → Review suggested edits

and choose the appropriate bulk action.

Can I See Who Made a Change?

Google Docs associates suggestions and document activity with collaborators, making it easier to understand who proposed or made changes.

What's the Difference Between Suggesting and Editing?

Editing directly changes the document.

Suggesting proposes a change that can be accepted or rejected.

What's the Difference Between Suggesting and Comments?

Suggestions propose specific text edits.

Comments are better for questions, discussion, and feedback.

Can Commenters Suggest Edits?

Users with suitable commenting permissions can suggest changes without necessarily being given full editing control.

Does Google Docs Have Version History?

Yes.

Open:

File → Version history → See version history

to review previous document states.

Can Google Docs Open Word Track Changes?

Google Docs can work with Microsoft Word documents containing tracked edits, and tracked changes can be represented as suggestions when moving between the two systems.

Can You Track Changes on Google Docs Mobile?

Yes.

The Google Docs mobile app supports suggesting changes and reviewing suggestions.

Final Thoughts

Google Docs may not call the feature Track Changes, but the functionality is there.

It's called:

Suggesting mode

For most collaborative editing workflows, that's the feature you want.

Switch from Editing to Suggesting.

Make your changes.

Google Docs will record them without immediately replacing the original text.

Reviewers can then accept or reject each edit.

Combine Suggesting mode with:

• Comments
• Comment history
• Version history
• Appropriate sharing permissions

and you have a powerful editorial workflow without needing to create endless copies of the same document.

For content teams, that's particularly valuable.

Writers can write.

Editors can edit.

SEO specialists can suggest optimization changes.

Clients can review.

And whoever owns the final document can decide exactly which changes make it into the finished version.

That's what good collaboration should look like.