Unearned revenue is commonly referred to as what?

Unearned revenue is commonly referred to as deferred revenue because it represents money received by a business for goods or services that have not yet been delivered or performed. In accounting terms, it is considered a liability until the company earns the revenue by fulfilling its obligations to the customer. When the service is provided or the goods are delivered, the liability decreases, and revenue can be recognized on the income statement. This concept is crucial for accurately reflecting a company's financial position and adhering to the revenue recognition principle, which dictates that revenue should only be recognized when it is earned, not when cash is received.