# Effective _Content Warnings_ for NSFW: Best Practices

As stated in my previous post, Content Warnings exist to give the viewer an objective idea of what they will see behind the filter; this allowing them to make an informed decision on whether or not they want to click through the spoiler. The use of "nsfw," "nudity," "adult," or explicit," in the Content Warnings for posts already behind the NSFW filter is redundant and thus these are some of the very few terms that are not allowed as Content Warnings. To make this a succinct and clear as I can:
## **The CW system exists to benefit people who do not follow you and have no idea what to expect in your work.**

Inkblot trusts that users who are making and uploading explicit content know what it is they are posting and the most accurate ways to describe it for the Content Warnings. If you know how to tag for indexing then you know how to come up with three or more Content Warnings. CWs can include the specific kinks involved, kinds of sex toys, sex position, type of penetration, so on. If you are struggling, assume there are no description nor tags; use the Content Warnings as a way to summarize what the art depicts in key terms or phrases.

These are not Trigger Warnings, and should not be viewed as limited as such. This system is not purely for avoiding triggers; when used correctly it aids viewers in finding only the work they are interested in without having to play spoiler roulette.

### *If you are someone who frequently finds yourself at odds with people who dislike the nature of the content you post, it would behoove you to use the CW system liberally and accurately so they will know prior to looking that it’s something they don’t want to see.*

.
The following list is examples to give users a starting point, and in no way intended to be comprehensive:
* Anal penetration
* Vaginal penetration
* Nonhuman genitals / animalistic genitals
* Solo masc / solo fem
* Masturbation
* Sex machine
* Bondage / restraints
* Knife play
* Blood play
* Teratophilia / monster fucking
* Sadism / masochism
* BDSM
* Furry nsfw
* Orgy
* Medical play
* Watersports / urination
* Scat / feces
* Farting / flatulence
* Pinup
* Erection
* Squirting
* Ejaculation / orgasm
* Lingerie

.
_If your work falls under both NSFW and gore, BOTH filters MUST BE ENABLED and your Content Warnings MUST cover both aspects._

# Effective _Content Warnings_ for Gore: Best Practices

Tagging the specifics in gore should be treated with the same level of care as tagging specific kinks in nsfw. The more descriptive the warnings are the better, as this is an area that frequently comes with specific triggers as well as being a general trigger. Your _Content Warnings_ should prepare the viewer for what they are going to see in an objective way. Warnings such as "creepy," "disturbing," or "unsettling," are not objective descriptions and thus are unhelpful as _Content Warnings_.

.
Injury descriptors:
* Blunt force trauma
* Broken bone(s)
* Evisceration
* Decapitation
* Bisection
* Impaled / punctured
* Flayed
* Mutation
* Mutilation
* Amputation
* Burn
* Melting
* Laceration
* Bite wound
* Gunshot wound
* Decay
* Heavy bruising
* Amount of visible blood (none, some, a lot, etc.)
* Body horror (needs to be accompanied by specifics, this is far too broad to be helpful on its own)

.
Injury specifics:
* trauma (ex: eye trauma, mouth trauma)
* Exposed (ex: exposed brain, exposed intestines)
* Exposed chest cavity / exposed abdominal cavity
* Cross section [of ] (ex: cross section of neck)

.
Setting/style descriptions:
* Medical
* Erotic
* Candy
* Fantasy
* Botanical
* Crystal
* Slasher
* Vivisection (subcategory of medical but worth the distinction)

.

“Stylized gore” vs “mild gore”
‘Stylized’ as a descriptor, when used correctly, is more objective than trying to quantify the extremeness of the gore, which is highly subjective. The artist’s version of mild may be heavy to the viewer, but stylized will carry the same connotations (not realistic) across the board.

.

_If your work falls under both NSFW and gore, BOTH filters MUST BE ENABLED and your Content Warnings MUST cover both aspects._