Why am I receiving the error 'The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media...' when using the CSV import?
When uploading a CSV file in Publer, you might encounter the following error: "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media, or we cannot download it on our servers."
This message means that Publer’s servers are unable to access the media file from the URL you’ve included in your CSV. Below are the most common reasons this error occurs and how you can resolve it.
Many cloud services (like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) require you to adjust file sharing settings to make media publicly accessible. If the file is set to “restricted,” “private,” or “viewable by specific people only,” Publer won't be able to fetch it for scheduling.
Make sure the media URLs are publicly accessible. Before adding a media URL to your CSV file, ensure that it can be accessed by anyone—not just you or selected users. You can test this by pasting the URL into Publer’s URL picker. If the link isn’t public, you’ll see an error message: "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media, or we cannot download it."
When using cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, your files are private by default. To make sure Publer can access them, change the sharing settings to "Anyone with the link."
For example, on Google Drive, a public link usually includes the word "sharing" at the end of the URL, which means the file is publicly accessible media.
Alternatively, you may use the built-in Google Drive picker or Media Library on Publer, which is guaranteed to work.
Learn more about how to use the Media Library + CSV functionality here and how to import media from Google Drive here.
Sometimes, even if a link is accessible online, Publer may not be able to fetch the thumbnail or media from it. Certain platforms, like Pinterest, Instagram, or other social media sites, may block external downloads or restrict access to their images. In these cases, the system cannot automatically convert the link into a photo post.
To fix this, download the image manually to your device, then upload it directly to Publer using the Media Library or while scheduling your post.
When you paste the media URL into our URL picker and it's not a public link, you will get an error message that says, "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media, or we cannot download it.
Make sure not to restrict your sharing options. Your file should be available for Anyone with the link.
If you're utilizing an online storage platform, note that the URL will typically end with the word 'sharing' when it's set to public.
Learn more about another potential cause of your CSV file not uploading here.
Written by: John Ezekiel Jacinto
This message means that Publer’s servers are unable to access the media file from the URL you’ve included in your CSV. Below are the most common reasons this error occurs and how you can resolve it.
Troubleshooting: "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media.." Error
1. The media URL is not public.
Many cloud services (like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) require you to adjust file sharing settings to make media publicly accessible. If the file is set to “restricted,” “private,” or “viewable by specific people only,” Publer won't be able to fetch it for scheduling.
Make sure the media URLs are publicly accessible. Before adding a media URL to your CSV file, ensure that it can be accessed by anyone—not just you or selected users. You can test this by pasting the URL into Publer’s URL picker. If the link isn’t public, you’ll see an error message: "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media, or we cannot download it."
When using cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, your files are private by default. To make sure Publer can access them, change the sharing settings to "Anyone with the link."
For example, on Google Drive, a public link usually includes the word "sharing" at the end of the URL, which means the file is publicly accessible media.
Alternatively, you may use the built-in Google Drive picker or Media Library on Publer, which is guaranteed to work.
Learn more about how to use the Media Library + CSV functionality here and how to import media from Google Drive here.
2. The link thumbnail cannot be downloaded or converted into a photo post.
Sometimes, even if a link is accessible online, Publer may not be able to fetch the thumbnail or media from it. Certain platforms, like Pinterest, Instagram, or other social media sites, may block external downloads or restrict access to their images. In these cases, the system cannot automatically convert the link into a photo post.
To fix this, download the image manually to your device, then upload it directly to Publer using the Media Library or while scheduling your post.
Keep in mind:
When you paste the media URL into our URL picker and it's not a public link, you will get an error message that says, "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media, or we cannot download it.
Make sure not to restrict your sharing options. Your file should be available for Anyone with the link.
If you're utilizing an online storage platform, note that the URL will typically end with the word 'sharing' when it's set to public.
Learn more about another potential cause of your CSV file not uploading here.
Written by: John Ezekiel Jacinto
Updated on: 16/04/2025
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