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Govern Download Links in Website Production
Track file identity, format, size, revision, access, and replacement rules for downloads.
**Published: September 11, 2026**
Downloads become stale when the page and file follow separate approval paths. A register connects each public link to a current, owned source file.
Record file identity
Capture the public label, route, filename, format, size, language, revision date, source owner, and retention rule. State whether access requires authentication and whether the file contains sensitive data.
Set replacement rules
Decide when a stable URL serves a new revision and when a new URL is required. Keep page claims, file contents, metadata, and revision notes aligned. Provide an accessible HTML alternative when feasible.
Audit the delivery
Open each link without an editor session. Verify status, content type, filename, file integrity, mobile behavior, keyboard access, and removal of superseded documents.
Further reading
Related Articles
Assign expired files to an owner instead of silently leaving broken links.