Deleted PDF media is still showing as having been downloaded by readers

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  journeyingthroughthebible · Member · Mar 24, 2025 at 7:02 pm

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  Hello Users of my site still seem to be able to access a PDF that was uploaded onto the site a year or two ago, but since deleted. How is this possible, please? The page in question is https://creationtonewcreation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-lamb-is-the-lord-readers-guides-1-7-combined.pdf
  Any help you could give would be appreciated. Thank you.

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  staff-hopebot · Staff · Mar 25, 2025 at 3:49 am

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  Hi there,

  Every file you upload gets its own unique permalink, which is what people use to access it. When that file is deleted, the link stops working automatically—just like the one you shared.

  If you’re seeing signs that visitors might still be able to download the file, there’s a quick way to double-check that it’s no longer in your media library:

  1. Head to your dashboard.
  2. Go to Media → Library.
  3. Search for “the lamb is the lord readers guides,” or browse to August 2023.
  4. If it shows up, go ahead and click “Delete permanently.”

  Right now, the file isn’t accessible through that link, and if it’s not visible in your media library either, it’s effectively gone—unless you choose to reupload it.

  That said, if you’re certain some folks are still able to download it, feel free to reach out to the WordPress.com team so they can take a closer look.

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  staartmees · Member · Mar 25, 2025 at 5:50 am

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  That file gives a 404 Not Found meaning it has been deleted permanently.

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  journeyingthroughthebible · Member · Mar 25, 2025 at 12:01 pm

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  Hello

  Thank you both for your replies and for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it. I have checked and the PDF showing two downloads this month is definitely deleted; there’s no trace of it in my media library. Maybe the following has happened: some while ago one or more users downloaded the webpage that contained a link to the PDF. They then opened the webpage and clicked on the link to the PDF. Although they got the 404 error message, their attempt may have still registered as a ‘download’ in the statistics. That would seem possible. I’ll contact the WordPress support team, and suggest this as a solution and see what they say. Once again, many thanks for your help. With kind regards, Rob