Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Add a PDF Download Counter in WordPress: A Complete Guide

If you are running a website where you offer PDF files for download, tracking the number of downloads becomes crucial. A PDF download counter helps you keep track of how many people have accessed your PDF files. Moreover, it helps you optimize your content strategy according to the readers’ interests.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of adding a PDF download counter in your WordPress website.

Step 1: Install a Plugin

To add a PDF download counter, you’ll need to install a plugin. There are several plugins available in the WordPress repository, but we recommend using ‘Download Monitor.’ It allows you to track different file types, including PDFs, and comes with a range of features, including custom access levels and download limits.

To install Download Monitor, go to your WordPress dashboard, then click ‘Plugins’ and select ‘Add New.’ In the search bar, enter ‘Download Monitor’ and select the one by 'never5' and click on ‘Install’. Once the installation is complete, click on ‘Activate.’

Step 2: Add PDFs to Download Monitor

After installing and activating the plugin, you need to add your PDF files to Download Monitor. To do that, go to ‘Downloads', click on ‘Add New,' then choose a file, and click on the ‘Upload Files’ button.

Once the file is uploaded, provide the file details such as title, description, and tags for better organization.

Step 3: Enable Download Count Tracking

To enable the download count tracking feature, go to ‘Download Monitor’ and select ‘Settings’ from the dropdown menu.

Click on ‘Tracking,’ then check the box that says ‘Enable Tracking.’

Step 4: Add Download Counter to Your PDF Files

To add a download counter to your PDF files, you need to generate a shortcode. Go to the ‘Downloads’ tab and click on ‘View’ next to the file you want to add a download counter to.

Scroll down to Shortcodes, select ‘Downloads Counter,’ then copy the shortcode.

Next, go to the page or post where you want to display the download counter, paste the shortcode, and publish your changes.

Conclusion

Adding a PDF download counter in WordPress is a simple process. By following the above steps, you can easily keep track of how many times your PDF files are downloaded. Download Monitor’s advanced features will help you optimize your content strategy to match your users' preferences.