Sharing files with groups or mailing lists means delivering digital items like documents or images to a predefined set of multiple recipients simultaneously instead of individuals. This is distinct from one-to-one sharing because it leverages either a group identity (like a team name in a collaboration tool) or an email distribution list containing many addresses. When you share with a group, permissions apply collectively to all members, and all members receive access to the file, simplifying distribution compared to manual individual sharing.

Common examples include using a cloud storage platform like Google Drive or Microsoft SharePoint to share a file folder link with a team name, granting everyone in that team immediate access. Another frequent method is emailing a file as an attachment directly to a mailing list address (e.g., 'marketing-team@company.com'), which then forwards it to everyone subscribed to that list, regardless of the specific individual email addresses.

This approach offers significant advantages in efficiency and consistency, ensuring everyone in the group has the same access and information at the same time. However, limitations include potential security risks if sensitive data is accidentally shared with a too-broad group or if mailing lists include outdated members. It’s crucial to carefully manage group membership and understand specific sharing permissions. Future developments continue to enhance permission granularity and automated group membership management within collaboration tools.