How should I structure advanced distribution rules?

💻 Environment/Context

• External groups
• Distribution Rules
• Access
• Set-up 

❓ Issue/Question

• How do I set up my external group rules?
• How does advanced rule structuring work?
• How do I create my external group rules?

👌 Resolution/Answer

• The recommended approach is to use:
  • A top-level AND group
  • An OR group that contains all allowed content packages
  • Global exclusions applied at the top level
     
• This structure keeps access rules organized and avoids duplicating conditions across multiple branches.
• Using a top-level AND allows global requirements and exclusions to be managed in a single location.
• Using an OR group as an allow-list makes it easy to grant access to multiple content packages without creating separate rule trees. As access requirements grow, new content packages can be added without modifying existing rules.
   
• Standard Set-up →  An asset is visible if it matches one of the allowed groups AND does not match any excluded condition.  
  • In the following example, the goal is to give access to Spain photos and Brazil videos, while excluding any content tagged Internal.
    • Give access to "Spain photos" and "Brazil videos", but never share anything tagged internal. 
      Top-level AND with an OR allow-list (two AND bundles) and one global exclusion at the top level. An asset is visible if it matches at least one allowed package (Spain + photo, OR Brazil + video) AND it is not tagged internal.

• If I wanted to scale the structure and add more content access rules:
  • Add another AND bundle inside the OR group
    • Example: France + Highlights
  • To add global restrictions → Add another != condition at the top-level AND
    • Example: Tag != embargo

• Using NOT for grouped exclusions → Use a NOT block when you need to exclude a specific combination of conditions rather than a single value.
  • For example, allow all Spain content while excluding Internal content and media tagged with both Photo and Best Moments. 
    • This can be expressed as: 
      Top-level AND
Tag = Spain
      NOT (internal)
      OR (Photo AND Best Moments)
      • NOT is preferred when exclusions involve combinations, as it keeps logic clearer and easier to extend.
        
         
• When possible, follow the same pattern for every rule set:
  • Use a top-level AND.
  • Place allowed content packages inside an OR group.
  • Apply exclusions at the top level.
  • Add new access packages by creating additional AND bundles inside the OR group.

• Following this structure makes advanced distribution rules easier to understand, scale, and troubleshoot over time.

🔖 Notes 

• How do advanced distribution rules work for external groups?
• How to manage content access for external groups? 
• External group user can’t view media despite correct tag access