Why can’t I download media from a social network?
When trying to download media (like images or videos) from a social media post, you might sometimes run into an error message that says: "The provided URL is not a publicly accessible media, or we cannot download it."
This means that something is preventing the media from being accessed or downloaded. Below are the most common reasons why this happens:
One of the most common reasons for download issues is that the URL provided points to media that isn’t publicly accessible. This usually means the post or media is restricted due to privacy settings. For example, if the post is set to private or is only visible to a specific audience (like friends or followers), it cannot be accessed by external tools or servers like Publer for downloading.
Some social networks, like Instagram or YouTube, don't allow media to be downloaded due to privacy rules or copyright protection.
Sometimes, the media is stored on a server that blocks external download requests. If our system can’t access the server, it won’t be able to fetch the media. This can happen due to security settings, location restrictions, or technical limitations.
Please check if the media is public before you try to download it. The post or media must be open to everyone, not just private groups, friends, or followers. You can only download media that anyone can access. If the URL you provide points to content that isn’t public, usually because of privacy settings set by the account owner or the social platform itself, our system won’t be able to download it. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done in these cases.
In some instances, the platform may block downloads entirely to protect copyrighted content or for security reasons. If this happens, you might need to explore other options, such as using the social network’s own built-in download tools, if available.
If you’re still experiencing issues, feel free to reach out to our support team at [email protected] or contact us using the live chat with the URL in question, and we’ll be happy to take a closer look.
This means that something is preventing the media from being accessed or downloaded. Below are the most common reasons why this happens:
1. The Media Is Not Public
One of the most common reasons for download issues is that the URL provided points to media that isn’t publicly accessible. This usually means the post or media is restricted due to privacy settings. For example, if the post is set to private or is only visible to a specific audience (like friends or followers), it cannot be accessed by external tools or servers like Publer for downloading.
2. Platform Restrictions
Some social networks, like Instagram or YouTube, don't allow media to be downloaded due to privacy rules or copyright protection.
3. Server Accessibility Issues
Sometimes, the media is stored on a server that blocks external download requests. If our system can’t access the server, it won’t be able to fetch the media. This can happen due to security settings, location restrictions, or technical limitations.
What You Can Do:
Please check if the media is public before you try to download it. The post or media must be open to everyone, not just private groups, friends, or followers. You can only download media that anyone can access. If the URL you provide points to content that isn’t public, usually because of privacy settings set by the account owner or the social platform itself, our system won’t be able to download it. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done in these cases.
In some instances, the platform may block downloads entirely to protect copyrighted content or for security reasons. If this happens, you might need to explore other options, such as using the social network’s own built-in download tools, if available.
If you’re still experiencing issues, feel free to reach out to our support team at [email protected] or contact us using the live chat with the URL in question, and we’ll be happy to take a closer look.
Updated on: 20/05/2025
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