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How can ebook download link be protected?

by DaveC2
5 replies
Currently, I have an ebook which users need to sign up for to download. I am able to prevent the download page from showing up in the search engines, however the pdf file does show up in the search engines.
The net result is the ebook can be downloaded without sign up.

At the moment, the ebook is hosted within the WP site:
e.g: site/wp-content/uploads/year/month/ebook.pdf

What is best practice in this type of scenario?

Dave
#download #ebook #link #protected
  • Profile picture of the author M Thompson
    Originally Posted by DaveC2 View Post

    Currently, I have an ebook which users need to sign up for to download. I am able to prevent the download page from showing up in the search engines, however the pdf file does show up in the search engines.
    The net result is the ebook can be downloaded without sign up.

    At the moment, the ebook is hosted within the WP site:
    e.g: site/wp-content/uploads/year/month/ebook.pdf

    What is best practice in this type of scenario?

    Dave
    There are several plugins which will protect it... or you could put it in a password protected post.

    I use wp file lock from jason Fladlien
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  • Profile picture of the author LP Copywriter
    Originally Posted by DaveC2 View Post

    Currently, I have an ebook which users need to sign up for to download. I am able to prevent the download page from showing up in the search engines, however the pdf file does show up in the search engines.
    The net result is the ebook can be downloaded without sign up.

    At the moment, the ebook is hosted within the WP site:
    e.g: site/wp-content/uploads/year/month/ebook.pdf

    What is best practice in this type of scenario?

    Dave
    You can hide files/directories from the search engines using robots.txt. You may also look into digital delivery scripts like amember for added protection.
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  • Profile picture of the author tknoppe
    Yep, I second the robots.txt method - but would also suggest that you use the Search Everything plugin to exclude that download page ID from the built-in Wordpress search function.
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    Your Web Tech Team

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  • Profile picture of the author IM-software
    Hi DaveC2,

    what about: Zubrag
    or Gowon Designs

    I'm almost sure you'll appreciate them

    On WP, if necessary, you may use any plugin that allows you to insert php code in pages and posts:
    http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/search.php?q=php

    If your server allows it, you can create a folder above your sites' root, that would contain your hidden files, this way, no crawler, S.E., will be able to locate them
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  • Profile picture of the author NicheGrabber
    Keep in mind, I believe if you only do the robots.txt, although most search engines will not index it, if someone distributes the direct link to the PDF, people will still be able to download it.
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