Key takeaways

In this module, you learned how to:

• A smart collection is a saved search query, not a saved list of assets. Every time you open a smart collection, AEM reruns the underlying search and shows whatever currently matches the criteria — assets that now qualify are automatically included, and assets that no longer match are automatically dropped. A static collection, by contrast, is a fixed list of references that only changes when you manually add or remove items.
• Boolean search operators AND and OR must be typed in uppercase to work. AEM's full-text search is case-sensitive about operators. Typing "and" or "or" in lowercase treats them as search terms rather than operators. AND narrows results (both terms must be present), OR broadens results (either term is sufficient). Knowing this prevents a lot of frustrating searches that seem to return unexpected results.
• "Search promote" elevates a specific asset to the front of results for a chosen keyword. This is a way for DAM managers to guide authors toward preferred or approved assets for a given topic. When an author searches that keyword, the promoted asset appears first — regardless of how many other assets might technically match. It's a lightweight curation tool that doesn't change the asset itself.
• The Lightbox is a personal staging area that cannot be shared. Every logged-in user automatically has a Lightbox — a personal collection where you can temporarily gather assets you're working with or considering. Unlike regular collections, it cannot be shared with other team members. The typical workflow is to curate assets in your Lightbox first, then convert or copy them into a shareable collection when you're ready to collaborate.
• The share link feature provides time-limited, login-free access for recipients. When you share a collection via link, recipients get a URL with a configurable expiration date. They can browse and download assets — including originals and all renditions — without needing an AEM login. This makes it practical for sharing assets with people outside your organization who will never have direct AEM access.