Data Delivery Using Direct Download

What are Direct Downloads

Historically, People Data Labs only offered a Push delivery model for our Data License customers - where we send your dataset directly to a storage location that you own and have configured (e.g. S3, Azure, GCP, Snowflake, etc).

As of November 2025, we now also offer a Pull option: Direct Downloads.

With Direct Downloads, instead of you creating the destination bucket, we create and host it for you. Once your data is delivered, you can securely download it on your schedule via SFTP or SSH. You’ll also get an email notification as soon as each delivery is ready.

Why Switch to Direct Downloads

If you are currently a Data License customer receiving data to a bucket that you control (e.g. the Push Model), switching to Direct Downloads offers several key benefits, including:

No setup required on your end. We handle the bucket creation and maintenance, so you don’t need to configure credentials.

Pull on your own schedule. Download deliveries whenever it's most convenient for your team—no waiting on a push, no dependency on storage syncing.

Simple, secure access. Use standard tools like SFTP, SSH, or AWS to access your data securely with credentials you manage through the PDL dashboard.

No Additional Cost
There is no additional charge for using the Direct Downloads delivery method (or for switching from a Pull delivery method).

How to Get Started

To get started with Direct Downloads, just follow these quick steps:

1. Contact your CSM
   Let your Customer Success Manager know you'd like to switch to Direct Downloads. Our team will handle the backend setup and spin up your secure bucket. Note: a minor contract amendment for the adjusted delivery location may be required.
2. Set your Credentials
   Once, we've enabled your new delivery method, go to the Settings area of your PDL Dashboard to retrieve your username and setup your password or SSH key.

3. Connect & Download
   You'll get a notification each time a new dataset is delivered. Using, your preferred SFTP client, connect with any collection of the following:
   1. Host: pdl.sftp.peopledatalabs.com
   2. SFTP URL: [username]@pdl.sftp.peopledatalabs.com:
   3. Port: 22
   4. Username + Password or SSH Key
      From there, you can download your files at your convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

🔐 Is this method secure?

Yes. All connections use encrypted SFTP (or SSH with secure credentials). You control access on your end just like with traditional pull-based systems.

🧰 Can I connect using command line tools (like sftp)?

Yes! You can connect directly to the PDL-hosted bucket using standard SFTP commands in your terminal. Once your credentials are set, here are a few bash examples:

# Start an SFTP session
sftp [username]@pdl.sftp.peopledatalabs.com

# After logging in:
ls                    # List available files
get dataset.csv       # Download a specific file
mget *.csv            # Download all CSV files
mget *                # Download all files
scp -r                # Download everything in selected directory
bye                   # Exit the session

📅 When are deliveries made?

Delivery timing doesn’t change: your data will still be delivered according to your current monthly or quarterly schedule. You’ll get an email notification when it's ready to download.

📁 Will older deliveries be available in the bucket?

By default, any data placed in the bucket will expire after 110 days in order to conserve resources. This allows for some wiggle room if you need any past deliveries.

💸 Does this cost extra?

Nope! It’s just a different delivery method - no additional cost required.