Not for dissemination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Not for dissemination" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that the information should not be shared or distributed. Example: "This document contains sensitive information; it is marked 'Not for dissemination'." Alternative expressions include "Confidential" and "For internal use only."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette points out this morning, Powers also wrote that the bulletin "is not for dissemination to the public," but "is solely meant for owners/operators & security personnel associated with our critical infrastructure & key resources".

Huffington Post

Marked "Internal Review Only – CONFIDENTIAL" and "NOT FOR DISSEMINATION," the draft report determined that the Ferguson, St .Louis County and St . Louispolice departments as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol failed in dozens of areas to keep the peace, ease tension and end the rolling nightly violence.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As such, it is not intended for dissemination into the public for use.

Cornell University

This argument assumes that the unpublished nature of copyrighted material is only relevant to letters or other confidential writings not intended for dissemination.

Cornell University

Retreatment cases of tuberculosis are reemerging as public and global health concerns, not only for dissemination of infection but for their multidrug resistant behavior as well, comprising an important challenge for National Tuberculosis Control Programs.

Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis

Elevated levels of OPN and TSP-1 expression in primary and metastatic carcinomas suggest that these genes may be necessary for, but not sufficient for, dissemination.

Breast Cancer Research

As you can appreciate, this opinion is not ready for dissemination yet and I would appreciate it if you would hold it in confidence but use it as you see fit in your own operations.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Nettles et al. (21 ) reported that pigeons and some wild birds crows, mourning doves, vultures, and others are not responsible for dissemination of influenza virus (H5N2) among poultry farms.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

According to a secret F.B.I. report recently obtained by The Times, Dr. Lee told agents that he had not informed American government officials, "even though the documents he passed specifically stated they were not for foreign dissemination".

The New York Times

But there is, however, a tacit agreement that this is not for outside dissemination, that Western stereotypes of India as a backward country should not be pandered to.

The New York Times - Books

Lynn's often free-wheeling comments were tape-recorded — a court reporter was apparently not in the session — and clearly uttered with the belief that they were not for public dissemination.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, specify the exact audience intended for the document immediately after the phrase to provide clarity on who is authorized to view it.

Common error

Do not use "Not for dissemination" when you actually mean that the information can be shared but the source must remain anonymous; in that case, use "not for attribution" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Not for dissemination" functions primarily as a restrictive label or a predicate adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it serves as a clear instruction to withhold information from wider circulation. It often appears as a standalone marking on documents or following a linking verb such as "is".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

General Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the comprehensive data provided by Ludwig, the phrase "Not for dissemination" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to signal that information must not be shared. While it is categorized as Rare in terms of exact occurrences in everyday speech, it is a staple in formal and professional writing, particularly within the News & Media and Science sectors. Ludwig AI confirms its utility as a label for confidential reports, sensitive data and internal drafts. When using this phrase, writers ensure a high level of clarity and authority, effectively preventing the unauthorized distribution of materials across various professional landscapes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not for distribution

highly interchangeable and often used in corporate settings to prevent sharing digital or physical copies

Confidential

broader term that implies the information is secret and protected by privacy protocols

For internal use only

specifies the authorized audience (members of an organization) rather than just forbidding the act of sharing

Not for public release

explicitly mentions the public as the excluded party, common in government and PR contexts

Not for publication

specifically targets media or formal printing, often used in academia and journalism

Restricted access

focuses on who can view the information rather than the act of spreading it

Privileged and confidential

adds a legal layer, suggesting the information is protected by attorney-client or similar legal privilege

Sensitive but unclassified

a specific government designation for information that requires protection but isn't a state secret

Not for attribution

used in journalism to mean information can be shared but the source cannot be named

Off the record

informal or journalistic term indicating that the information should not be reported or shared further

FAQs

What is the difference between "Not for dissemination" and "Confidential"?

While both protect information, "confidential" describes the nature of the content itself, whereas "Not for dissemination" is a direct instruction regarding the act of spreading or distributing that content.

Can I use "Not for distribution" instead?

Yes, "not for distribution" is a perfectly valid alternative and is often more common in general business environments, while dissemination is frequently found in academic and government sectors.

Is "Not for dissemination" considered formal?

Absolutely. It is a highly professional and "formal" expression. For less formal contexts, you might use "don't share this" or "keep this between us".

Where should I place the label "Not for dissemination" in a document?

It is best practice to place it in the header, footer or as a diagonal watermark. You can also see it used in sentences like "This report is "not intended for dissemination" beyond the board of directors."