Does "downloads" = sales or views? and checking topic sales

[rcashdan]

I want to be sure I understand this. Also is there a way that doesn't take a lot of time to find out about sales on a particular topic? If not, that would be a useful site "renovation." For example, when I checked about travel sales a couple of months ago, I saw few downloads. Now there seem to be more, useful information if downloads = sales.

[Celeste Stewart]

Downloads means the number of time a particular article sold for usage rights. It's not a good measurement for figuring out which topics are popular though because the majority of sales are for unique or full rights - which means that the original articles are removed from the site.

For example, let's say the Travel category shows ten articles like so:
The Allure of Greece -- 0 downloads
A Florida Getaway -- 5 downloads
Travel to Disneyland -- 0 downloads
How to Travel on a Budget -- 0 downloads
Tips for Cruising -- 1 download
Pack like a Pro -- 0 downloads
Backpacking Europe -- 0 downloads
Take the Train -- 0 downloads
Hawaii's Volcano Park -- 0 downloads
Swimming with Sea Turtles -- 0 downloads

This would mean that "A Florida Getaway" and "Tips for Cruising" each sold for usage rights at least once. They can now never be sold for unique or full rights. Over time, someone may buy these artices for usage again. Now, let's take a peek into the future to see what the Travel category might look like:

A Florida Getaway -- 7 downloads
Travel to Disneyland -- 0 downloads
How to Travel on a Budget -- 0 downloads
Tips for Cruising -- 4 downloads
Pack like a Pro -- 0 downloads
Touring the Hostel Way -- 0 downloads

Hmmn, what happened? Touring the Hostel Way has been added since the first view. Florida Getaway sold 2 more times and Tips for Cruising sold 3 more times. No one has purchased Disney, Budget travel, or Pack like a Pro.

Backpacking Europe, Take the Train, Volcano Park, and Swimming with the Sea Turtles have all disappeared -- they have been sold for full or unique rights and removed from the site. You wouldn't know it though as there's no indication of articles that have sold and been removed. Therefore, just because you don't see lots of downloads in a category, it doesn't mean that the category isn't popular. The opposite is more likely.

[Ed]

This is an excellent explanation, Celeste. Thanks!

[rcashdan]

Thanks, Celeste. Wow, am I glad I asked the question!

[Celeste Stewart]

Now that I created a bunch of titles, I must get busy writing those travel articles LOL.

[Lor]

Very helpful indeed. Thanks for the examples. It's all becoming much clearer now.
Lor (rain)

[Ed]

Celeste, would you mind if I used this in a blog entry (with credit, of course)? I think it's beautifully illustrative and - I don't mind admitting - something that never occurred to me at all.

Thanks,
Ed

[Celeste Stewart]

sure, no problem.