Track downloads from "Digital Downloads" direct links

[hbenik]

We're using "Digital Downloads" to host free pdfs for our customers. We want to track the number of downloads each pdf receives using direct download links, but they are at the external url, so UTM parameters are of no use.

We do not want to use the "check out" function in order to track downloads.

Is there another way to track clicks on these links?

[StephensWorld]

I don't know of a way to do this -- but I'm not sure why you'd want this information. The only reason I can think of is to make sure your customers aren't sharing the downloads with 100 other people. In that case, you'd want to switch to an app that allows you to put a cap on the number of times the file(s) can be downloaded. There are a handful of apps available which support that functionality. 

[linia]

I’m also interested in tracking for free downloads I’m hosting that are not going through the checkout process. For me, it’s because I want to be able to put the downloaded items on the customer’s account page (the same way actual purchases are tracked), even though the downloads were free.

Have you found anything worth sharing or submitted this request? Would love to know any guidance or updates.