Software publishers are permitted to distribute their titles via CNET's site for free, or for a fee structure that offers enhancements. Registered users may also write reviews and rate the product. Downloads are often rated and reviewed by editors and contain a summary of the file from the software publisher. The Software section includes over 100,000 freeware, shareware, and try-first downloads. Videos are streams (at present) and music was all free MP3 downloads, or occasionally rights-managed WMAs or streams until it was replaced with last.fm. The offered content is available in four major categories: software (including Windows, Mac and mobile), music, games, and videos, offered for download via FTP from 's servers or third-party servers.

The domain attracted at least 113 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a study. Initially it resided on the domain, and then for a while, and is now. CNET Download (originally ) is an Internet download directory website launched in 1996 as a part of CNET.