Smart DL Redirect
Add a countdown page before file downloads with timer, ads, and fallback link using a simple shortcode.
Plugin info
Maintenance & Compatibility
Maintenance score
Maintained • Last updated 135 days ago • 1 reviews
Is Smart DL Redirect abandoned?
Likely maintained (last update 135 days ago).
Compatibility
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Description
Smart DL Redirect is a lightweight and powerful WordPress plugin that lets you add a timer-based interstitial page before a file download starts.
It’s perfect for:
– Affiliate marketers
– Download site owners
– Resource-sharing blogs
– Anyone who wants to delay download with ads or messages
Once a visitor clicks a download link, they are redirected to a customizable “preparing download” page, where a timer counts down, shows ads or custom HTML, and then auto-redirects to the actual file.
Important — redirect behavior: This plugin redirects the visitor’s browser to the file URL you provide — the plugin does not download, host, or proxy the file server-side. Authors should only supply links to files they trust.
Ad/snippet sanitization: Any ad/snippet HTML entered in the plugin settings is sanitized using wp_kses_post() before output. Note that wp_kses_post() strips tags and other potentially dangerous elements — if your ad provider requires inline scripts, follow the provider’s recommended safe-install instructions or use a trusted ad plugin.
✨ Key Features
- ⏱️ Countdown Timer – Set the delay (in seconds) before download starts.
- 🎯 Auto-Redirect – Automatically starts the file download when timer ends.
- 🧰 Manual Fallback Link – If download fails, users can click a manual download link.
- 💡 Ad Placement or Custom HTML – Insert ads, promotional banners, or instructions in the waiting area.
- 🧩 Easy Shortcode Usage – Just add
[smart_dl file="https://example.com/file.zip"]to any post or page. - ⚙️ Lightweight and Fast – No external dependencies, optimized for performance.
License
Smart DL Redirect is licensed under the GPLv2 or later. See https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html for details.
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to the
/wp-content/plugins/smart-dl-redirectdirectory, or install it via the WordPress dashboard. - Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu.
- Visit Settings Smart DL Redirect to configure the timer duration, ad content, and redirect slug.
- Use the shortcode
[smart_dl file="https://example.com/file.zip"]wherever you want to offer a delayed download.
Frequently Asked Questions
It adds a delay (with optional ads or custom content) before the user receives their file. It’s often used for monetization or engagement purposes.
Insert [smart_dl file="URL_TO_FILE"] in any post or page. This creates a link to the redirect page, which will count down and then trigger the download.
Yes. Go to Settings Smart DL Redirect and change the timer value.
Yes. There is a dedicated field in the settings page where you can paste any HTML, ad script, or message.
Yes. As long as it’s a valid, publicly accessible file URL, the plugin will handle it.
No. The redirect page is a regular page created on activation and not auto-linked, so it won’t interfere with SEO unless intentionally indexed.
Review feed
Screenshots

Setting location – where to find the plugin options in the WordPress dashboard.

Plugin settings page – configure redirection, countdown, and download rules.

Use of shortcode – insert the download redirect shortcode into posts or pages.

Countdown page – automatically generated before download starts.

Frontend download button – the button users click to initiate the download.

Frontend download page – final download page with the redirected file.
Changelog
1.3
- Added: Security index.php files to all plugin directories to prevent direct file access
- Added: Translation support with smart-dl-redirect.pot file in /languages
- Added: uninstall.php for proper cleanup of plugin settings and created page on uninstall
- Added: Download button now automatically inherits the active theme’s default button style for visual consistency
- Removed: Unused banner and icon image assets from /assets
1.2
- Fixed: Countdown and auto-download were not triggering due to missing DOM elements
- Improved: Dynamic countdown message now updates every second
1.1
- Minor edits to readme.txt for clarity and compliance
- Updated plugin metadata (no changes to functionality)
- Adjusted plugin folder name to match slug requirements
1.0
- Initial public release
- Shortcode support
- Countdown timer with fallback link
- Custom HTML/ad integration