Signed download links

Signed download links for digital products.

Stop sending permanent file URLs to buyers. 2DL (2Download) delivers entitlement-backed, time-limited links after purchase from WordPress or any website.


Why signed links matter

If your download URL never changes, anyone who finds it can keep using it. Signed links reduce that problem by making the actual file URL temporary and pairing it with entitlement-backed access checks.

What signed links help you do

Expire the file URL

Time-limited links make the raw download URL far less reusable than a permanent public file path.

Pair delivery with entitlement checks

Signed links are strongest when they are only returned after the buyer’s purchase-backed entitlement is confirmed.

Keep your storefront flexible

You can sell from WordPress or any website while letting 2DL handle the signed-delivery backend.

Recommended workflow

  1. Collect payment through hosted checkout and store the order state server-side.
  2. Issue the buyer’s entitlement after a successful purchase.
  3. Return signed, time-limited links when the entitlement is active.
  4. Refresh access through the entitlement flow instead of exposing the raw file URL directly.

Signs you should switch to signed links

  • Your file URLs live on a public storage path.
  • Buyers can keep old email links forever.
  • Support has no way to control re-access cleanly.
  • You want secure delivery without giving up your own storefront.

FAQ

What are signed download links?

Signed download links are time-limited URLs that grant temporary access to a file instead of exposing a permanent public path.

Do signed links replace entitlement checks?

No. Signed links work best alongside entitlement checks. The entitlement confirms who should have access, and the signed link protects the actual file URL.

Can I use signed download links from my own website?

Yes. 2DL is built to integrate with WordPress and non-WordPress sites while handling secure delivery in the backend.

Will signed links stop all file sharing?

No system makes sharing impossible, but signed links are a major improvement over permanent public URLs and reduce casual link leakage.

Canonical: https://2dl.app/signed-download-links