What are some downsides of using a PDF for content distribution?

Written by Michael Biggerstaff in collaboration with A.I.

April 25, 2023

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular file format for distributing digital content, but it does have some downsides. Some of the main downsides include:

1.  Limited interactivity:  PDFs are primarily designed for reading and printing, and do not support many interactive features such as animations and videos.
2.  Security concerns:  PDFs can contain malicious code that can harm the user’s computer or steal personal information.
3.  Size limitations:  PDFs can be large in size and can take time to load on slower internet connections.
4.  Limited accessibility:  PDFs are not always accessible to users with disabilities, as the text is not always selectable or readable by screen readers.
5.  Lack of responsive design:  PDFs are not always optimized for different screen sizes, so they may not display correctly on smaller devices such as smartphones and tablets.
6.  Limited searchability:  PDFs are not always searchable, making it difficult for users to find specific information within the document.
7.  Limited editing:  PDFs are not easily editable, making it difficult to make changes or updates to the content.

Overall, while PDFs are a popular choice for distributing digital content, they do have some downsides in terms of interactivity, accessibility, searchability, security and editing. There are other digital publishing software that can provide more interactive and accessible formats for content distribution.