Track PDFs in WordPress

The FileDroppr plugin lets you upload a PDF from your WordPress admin, get a secure trackable share link, and see who read it - all without leaving wp-admin. Readership, password protection, and expiry follow your FileDroppr plan.

What you need

  • A WordPress site (6.0 or newer) where you can install plugins.
  • A free FileDroppr account.
  • A FileDroppr API key - create one under Account → API keys (it starts with fk_live_). Treat it like a password.

Install the plugin

  1. In wp-admin, go to Plugins → Add New and search for FileDroppr, or get it from the WordPress plugin directory.
  2. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Connect your account

  1. Go to FileDroppr → Settings in the wp-admin sidebar.
  2. Paste your API key and save. The plugin runs a connection test so you know it's linked.

The key is stored in your site's options table and is only ever sent to filedroppr.com over HTTPS. You can revoke it anytime from your FileDroppr account.

Share and track a PDF

  1. Open the FileDroppr admin page and upload a PDF. You get a trackable share link back immediately.
  2. Your files are listed with view counts and expiry; open the full readership report with one click.
  3. The Recent reads dashboard widget shows the latest activity - file, reader country, pages read, and when.
  4. Embed a tracked link anywhere with the shortcode [filedroppr uuid="..."].

What data is sent

When you upload a PDF, the file is sent to your FileDroppr account to create the share link. When you view files or analytics, the plugin makes authenticated requests with your API key. Nothing is sent until you take one of those actions, and the plugin contacts no other service. See the privacy details for specifics.

Questions

Is the FileDroppr WordPress plugin free?

The plugin is free to install. Readership depth, password protection, and expiry follow your FileDroppr plan, and the free plan covers core readership on up to 3 PDFs.

Where are my PDFs stored - in WordPress or on FileDroppr?

On your FileDroppr account, encrypted at rest - not in your WordPress media library or on your host. The plugin uploads the file to FileDroppr over HTTPS and stores only the resulting share link.

Does the plugin slow down my site?

No. It only calls FileDroppr from wp-admin when you upload or view a file; nothing runs on your public front-end except the optional [filedroppr] shortcode where you place it.

Can I track a PDF that is already in my media library?

A raw media-library URL can't be tracked. Re-upload the PDF through the FileDroppr plugin to get a trackable link with readership analytics.

Related

Browse all FileDroppr integrations, or learn how to see who read your PDF.

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