NSFW (Not Safe For Work)
An internet label warning that content, usually sexual, violent, or explicit, is inappropriate to view in a workplace or public setting.
Explanation
NSFW stands for Not Safe For Work and grew out of early 2000s internet forums, where users needed a quick way to flag material that could embarrass someone or get them in trouble if opened at the office. The exact phrase surfaced in an August 2000 headline on the news site Fark, and the four-letter abbreviation began circulating on Usenet around 2001 to 2002 before entering major dictionaries in the 2010s. Platforms, and the automated moderation systems built on the same idea, use the label to restrict ad placement, algorithmic reach, and monetization, so content flagged NSFW usually loses distribution and brand-safety approval.
Usage context / examples
A brand posting a suggestive fashion or fitness ad may find its organic reach throttled if a platform's moderation system tags the post NSFW, even without explicit nudity, which is why paid social teams review platform content policies before publishing.
Related terms
Brand safety, content moderation, shock site
Turkish definition
NSFW, işyerinde veya herkese açık bir ortamda izlenmesi uygun olmayan (genellikle cinsel veya şiddet içeren) içerikleri işaretlemek için kullanılan bir internet kısaltmasıdır.