If you're an Asset Store publisher, you may have noticed that your download count is higher than the number of purchases for your asset. This discrepancy can be confusing at first, but it is entirely normal and reflects the flexibility licenses provide customers. This article explains why this happens and how licensing allows customers to redownload assets multiple times.
What happens after a user purchases an asset?
When customers purchase an asset from the store, they aren't just paying for a one-time download; they're buying a license to use that asset. Licenses generally allow users to download the asset multiple times as needed.
Here are some common scenarios that explain this behavior:
- Downloading at a later date: A customer might purchase your asset but not download it immediately. They could decide to access and download it days, weeks, or even months later, which would still count as a download.
- Redownloading after deletion: Customers sometimes delete files from their computers, whether to free up space or due to accidental removal. Once a file is deleted, the user can return to the asset store to redownload it under their license.
- Using the asset on multiple devices: A user who purchases your asset may redownload it on different devices, such as switching from their desktop computer to a laptop or another workstation. This is a common practice and is allowed per their license agreement.
- Updating to new versions: When you update your asset (e.g., releasing bug fixes or new features), customers who previously purchased it may redownload the updated version. This ensures they can access the latest functionality.
Conclusion
Seeing more downloads than purchases for your asset is a normal and expected pattern in digital marketplaces. It reflects users taking full advantage of their license rights: downloading files, updates, and packages multiple times based on their needs.
As an Asset Store publisher, remember that higher download counts often indicate customer engagement with your product. If you have concerns about specific usage patterns, reach out to the Customer Experience team for clarification, but rest assured, this behavior is standard practice.