Download responsibly! – Geofabrik Blog (Sep 10, 2025) Author: Frederik Ramm Date: 10.09.2025 --- Overview Geofabrik has upgraded the backend infrastructure for their download server to provide faster and earlier access to OpenStreetMap (OSM) data downloads. A recent technical change now directs requests for “latest” files to the specific latest version via HTTP redirects, improving download efficiency. Appeal to Users: Download Responsibly To maintain powerful and convenient service for everyone and manage limited network bandwidth responsibly, Geofabrik urges data users to avoid behaviors that burden the system and slow access for others. Examples of problematic behavior include: Downloading large OSM files repeatedly hundreds or thousands of times daily (e.g., one user downloaded the Italy file nearly 10,000 times in 24 hours). Downloading every single file available on the server daily. Such excessive downloads may trigger IP blocking and impact innocent users sharing the same IP range. Recommendations for Responsible Usage Whole Planet Data: If you need data for the entire planet, do not download it piecemeal from Geofabrik’s servers. Instead, download the planet file directly from planet.openstreetmap.org. Large Regions / Daily Updates: For large regional data (like Europe or North America) with daily updates, use the pyosmium-up-to-date tool. This tool checks the age of your local file and downloads only recent changes, reducing network traffic by approximately 98% and speeding up updates. Automation Best Practices: If using automated scripts: Monitor your scripts’ activities carefully. Implement safeguards to avoid repeated downloads of the same files due to errors like full disks. --- Additional Information Geofabrik provides various tools and services accessible from their main website, www.geofabrik.de. The blog is part of a broader ecosystem offering downloads, shapefiles, routing, geocoding, map styles, and server services supporting the OSM community. Geofabrik is a member of the OpenStreetMap Foundation. --- Related Blog Post Previous post on the use of HTTP redirects for “latest” files: Download.geofabrik.de to use HTTP redirects for “latest” files --- Summary Geofabrik’s infrastructure improvements aim to enhance OSM data accessibility. To protect this valuable resource and maintain fair server performance, users are encouraged to download data efficiently—favoring planet files for global data, using update tools for large regions, and managing automated downloads responsibly.