Choose the Right Sharing Method

Rule of thumb: Share content according to what the recipient needs to do.

A Reviewer who needs to watch a screener, a Contributor who needs to upload files, and a person opening an Enterprise Share Link receive different kinds of access.

Remember the sharing method determines:

• Who can access the Project
• Whether their identity is verified
• Which content they can access
• What they can do with the content
• How long their access lasts
• How their access can be changed or revoked

Sharing Methods at a Glance

Secure Sharing

Use Secure Sharing when you know who should receive access. Invite each Reviewer by email, set their access window and permissions, and choose what content they can see. Each Reviewer claims the invitation with a ScreenKey account using the invited email address.

Secure Sharing is the right starting point for confidential screeners, feedback requests, and workflows where you need access tied to an individual Reviewer. Once a Reviewer has claimed the invitation, they can return to the Project from Review while their access remains active.

Secure Sharing is best when:

• Recipient identity must be verified.
• Access should be tied to a specific person.
• You need person-specific viewing activity or analytics.
• Access should expire after a defined period.
• Different Reviewers require different file or folder access.
• Security is more important than low-friction entry.

The invitation cannot be transferred to another User or email address.

See Invite Reviewers with Secure Sharing for setup instructions.

Reviewer Groups

Share with a Group when a bunch of the project's secure Reviewers should see the same files or folders. Groups let you manage access for several Reviewers together instead of configuring each person individually.

For example, an Editorial Group might require access to the full Project while an Executive Group may need to see only a folder of selected cuts.

Important: Invite each person as a Reviewer before adding them to a Group. A Group organizes permissions; it does not invite someone to the Project on its own. Check a Reviewer’s existing access and other Group memberships before assuming a new Group will limit what they can see.

See Create and Manage Reviewer Groups for setup instructions.

Sharing a file or folder directly

You can open a file or folder’s Share menu to give an existing Reviewer Group access to that content. This is useful when new material is ready for a Group that already reviews the Project.

Direct file and folder sharing currently supports Groups, not individual standalone Reviewers. Project access windows and security settings still apply. Check the contents of a parent folder before sharing it, since its nested content may also become available.

Secure Universal Claim Links

A Secure Universal Claim Link provides one reusable shared entry point for all Reviewers who have already been securely invited to a Project.

Reviewers must still sign in using an invited email address. ScreenKey then applies the file, folder and Group permissions already assigned to that person.

Universal Claim Links are useful when:

• You want to distribute one common link to several approved Reviewers.
• Reviewers already have secure Project access.
• Different Reviewers should enter through the same link but retain different permissions.
• You want a convenient way to redistribute access after Project updates.

Upload Access

Use Upload Access when someone needs to submit files to a Project. Contributors receive the access type and folder permissions you assign. Upload Access does not automatically let them watch or review other Project media; grant separate Reviewer access if they need both roles.

Upload Access is intended for:

• Production collaborators
• External vendors
• Photographers
• Editors
• Distributors
• Other third-party Contributors

Unlike Reviewer access, Upload Access has no access window. Review or revoke it when the Contributor’s work is complete.

See Share Upload Access for setup instructions.

Public Links- Enterprise Only

Use a Public Link when low-friction viewing is more important than identity verification or person-specific tracking.

A Public Link provides general access without inviting each person or requiring a ScreenKey account. Anyone with the link can use it during its access window, subject to settings such as a password. Because the link can be forwarded, it does not provide the identity verification or individual activity tracking of Secure Sharing.

Public Links are best reserved for situations where:

• Recipients should not be required to create an account.
• One general link must be distributed widely.
• Individual Reviewer tracking is not required.
• The content does not require the security controls of person-specific access.

When using a Public Link:

• Set the shortest practical access window.
• Add a password whenever possible.
• Distribute the link only through trusted channels.
• Review active links regularly.
• Delete links that are no longer required.

See Create and Manage Public Links for setup instructions.

Quick Decision Guide

Does the person need to watch or review content securely?

Use Secure Sharing.

Do several Reviewers need the same file permissions?

Use Secure Sharing with a Group.

Do securely invited Reviewers need one common entry link?

Use a Universal Claim Link.

Does the person need to upload files?

Use Upload Access.

Does the person need account-free access through a general link?

Enterprise Users can use a Public Link.