How to Use a Security Group for SharePoint Audience Targeting
Question details
Configure SharePoint navigation to display specific links to targeted user groups using a security group instead of a Microsoft 365 group.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up audience targeting for SharePoint navigation links without triggering the creation of a new connected team site.
- Observed behavior
- Different navigation links are successfully displayed to targeted user groups based on their specific security group membership.
Ensure you have administrator privileges in the Microsoft 365 admin center and edit permissions for the target SharePoint site navigation.
Create and Apply a Security Group for Audience Targeting
Set up a dedicated security group in Microsoft 365 and apply it to your SharePoint navigation links to selectively display content.
Using a security group prevents the automatic creation of a connected team site, keeping your SharePoint environment clean when you only need to manage navigation visibility.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center. Navigate to 'Active teams and groups', select the 'Security' tab, and click to add a new security group.
Go to your SharePoint site and click 'Edit' on the navigation menu. Toggle the 'Enable site navigation audience targeting' switch to the on position.
Edit the specific navigation link you want to target. In the 'Audiences to target' field, search for and select the security group you just created.
If the security group does not appear in the search, confirm it was created in the correct tenant. Test if the issue affects other sites to rule out sync delays.
Looking for a Lightweight Alternative for Document Management?
While SharePoint handles complex site and navigation structures, WPS Office provides an incredibly lightweight, free, and fully compatible solution for creating, editing, and managing your everyday Office documents. Transition seamlessly without a steep learning curve.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free suite.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Open any existing Microsoft Office file directly in WPS Office without formatting loss.
- 3. Collaborate Easily: Use WPS Cloud to share document links and collaborate efficiently with your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my newly created security group not showing up in SharePoint?
It can take some time for newly created security groups in the Microsoft 365 admin center to synchronize across all services. Wait a few hours and try searching for the group again in the audience targeting field.
Can I use a Microsoft 365 group instead of a security group for audience targeting?
Yes, Microsoft 365 groups can be used for audience targeting. However, creating a Microsoft 365 group also creates an associated team site, a shared inbox, and a calendar. If you only need to control navigation visibility, a security group is a cleaner option.
Who can enable audience targeting on a SharePoint site?
You must be a site owner or have full control permissions on the SharePoint site to edit the navigation menu and enable audience targeting settings.
Does audience targeting secure the content or just hide the link?
Audience targeting in the navigation menu only hides the link from users who are not in the targeted group. It does not secure the underlying content; users with the direct link can still access the page if they have the proper site permissions.
