Google eSignature: A Quick Review

In this post I will give you my very own opinion about Google's eSignature function, and as always, you are free to make your own decisions about what your personal tech stack is going to look like. ("Tech stack" refers to the suite of programs and apps and services you are using to get done what you need to get done. I kind of like the term and am happy for the chance to use it!)

Point # 1: yes, Google's eSignature is HIPAA compliant.

I have seen a number of folks saying it’s not. So I will tell you why I think it is.

Google told me so.

That seems like a pretty good leg to stand on. eSignature is a part of Docs. Docs is covered by the BAA. So there ya go. (I would still like to give my number one piece of advice about this topic, which is, never take legal advice from a social worker.)

Point # 2: It works like any other digital signature tool.

I haven’t tested it at length, but I did give it a little whirl, and it doesn’t seem any better or any worse than other tools out there. It sure is nice to have it part of Google’s suite though (although you do have to pay for the higher Workspace tiers for it, which maybe you’re already doing).

This also means it lends itself well to automation within Workspace, which is definitely a bonus.

Point # 3: Major drawback (in my opinion) – it only works with people who have a Google account.

This to me is a real fly in the ointment, because now it’s really busted as a good, universal tool. You just can’t rely on this to use with all your clients; you’ll still need a different method available.

If this wasn’t an issue I would already have been suggesting to people to just use the upload function in Google Forms, and your clients could grab a PDF on your site, sign it in Acrobat, and upload it. But that route is likewise ruined by the limitation of being usable only by Google account holders. Alas.

So, in short, Google eSignature is efficient and HIPAA-compliant (with a BAA with Google of course), but in my opinion its usefulness is severely limited, since you can only use it with clients who have a Google account. Major bummer.