---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/servicenow-platform

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities

ft:clusterId :

    - platcap

bundleId :

    - platcap

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Select user criteria for a knowledge block

# Select user criteria for a knowledge block {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Control which users can read or not read knowledge block content within an article in
a knowledge base by setting user criteria at the knowledge base and knowledge block level.
As a knowledge contributor, you can apply user criteria at the knowledge block
level.

## Before you begin

[Activate knowledge blocks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0n8EwrU72nubrezXsKC2aw "You can activate knowledge blocks [com.snc.knowledge_blocks] if you have the admin role. This plugin includes demo data and activates related plugins if they are not already active.")

Role required: knowledge_admin or admin

## Procedure

1. Navigate to KnowledgeKnowledge BlocksAll.
2. Open a knowledge block.
3. Apply the desired user criteria for the Can Read and Cannot Read fields.  
   {#select-user-criteria-for-knowledge-block__table_b5c_2qq_x2b__entry__2}

   | Name | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Can Read | User criteria to apply for read access at the knowledge block level. |
   | Cannot Read | User criteria to apply for cannot read access at the knowledge block level. |
   [ ]

   {#select-user-criteria-for-knowledge-block__table_b5c_2qq_x2b}  
   Note:  
   * You can use existing or create new user criteria records. To create a new record, see [Create a
     user criteria record in Knowledge Management](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ABfqO3sqNndQKz6J9Hu9lA "Control access to knowledge bases and articles by creating user criteria.").
   * If a user meets any Can Contribute criteria at the knowledge base level, they can read all knowledge block content, regardless of the Can read and Cannot read criteria set at the knowledge block level.
   * If a user meets any Cannot read criteria at the knowledge block level, they cannot read the block content, regardless of the Can read criteria set at the knowledge block level.
   * If a user has access to knowledge article and doesn't have access to one or more blocks within article then user can still read the content but without specify block content.
   {#select-user-criteria-for-knowledge-block__ul_dn1_csy_jdb}
4. Right-click the form header and click Save.

## What to do next

* To finish and publish the block, see [Create a knowledge block](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/HG2oZOJxNKeOvqjj~ACQjQ "Create or modify a knowledge block to define a reusable piece of content that can be inserted into knowledge articles in a knowledge base. The knowledge block is secured by user criteria, which controls what users, groups, roles, companies, locations, or departments can read or not read the content in an article or search, enabling users to more easily view content that is relevant to them.").
* To add the block to an article, as well as preview the article by impersonating different users, see [Add knowledge blocks to a knowledge article](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2ryNYEmHa6YmDY8XaXhjTg "You can insert one or more knowledge blocks into a knowledge article within a knowledge base. Each knowledge block is secured by user criteria, which controls who can read or not read the content in an article.").
{#select-user-criteria-for-knowledge-block__ul_irp_dkw_ldb}

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