What Does It Mean to "Hard Launch" Your Relationship?

What is a “hard launch” in relationships?

A “hard launch” is an explicit announcement that you’re dating someone. It’s the act of revealing you’re in a relationship and showing your partner’s face on social media. Most people “hard launch” their relationship by posting a tagged photo or video of their partner on Instagram, clearly stating they’re taken. This usually happens after they’ve been dating for a few months and want to share the exciting news with the world. Clever “hard launch” ideas include: Uploading a photo with your partner. A romantic photo of the two of you kissing. A picture from the day you made things official. A photo dump of your favorite moments together. Updating your social media bio or relationship status. “Status: Taken ????” “@YourPartner ????” “@YourPartner has my heart ❤️‍????” Posting a caption announcing your relationship. “Shoutout to @Hinge” “My single era is officially over.” “Main character in my love story ????” “So, I met this guy a few months ago…????” “And that’s what you missed on Glee! ????❤️????” “Plot twist: We decided to stop flirting with each other and just date.”

What is a “soft launch” in relationships?

A “soft launch” is when you hint that you’re dating someone online. It’s basically a teaser that you’re in a relationship, without any details or photos of your partner. A person might “soft launch” their relationship by uploading a photo of their partner’s feet or two hands intertwined, or by posting a vague caption that there’s “someone special” in their life. People tend to “soft launch” their relationship if their partner isn’t comfortable revealing the news publicly, or to protect themself in case their relationship doesn’t work out in the long run. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to introduce your partner online or keep your relationship private—just make sure your partner is comfortable sharing it publicly!

Origin & Spread of a “Soft” or “Hard Launch”

Both “soft launch” and “hard launch” are business terms. While the exact origins of these slang terms are unclear, they are common terms used in sales and marketing. A “hard launch” is an official launch of a market-ready product that is bug free, such as the release of a new iPhone. A “soft launch” is a preview of a product to a limited audience, often used to gather data or customer feedback. The earliest use of the verb “hard launch” was recorded in the Atlanta Constitution in 1996. Today, “soft launching” or “hard launching” is a popular trend on social media. It may have gained traction after Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly announced their relationship on Instagram in 2020.

How to “Soft” or “Hard Launch” Your Relationship

Hard launch your relationship by sharing your partner’s face or username. If you're ready to announce your relationship to the world, post a clear photo or video of your partner online. Feel free to explain how you two met and got together, or how they’ve impacted your life: Post a selfie with your partner on Instagram. Put your partner’s social media handle in your bio. Upload a photo of you kissing your partner on social media. Make a TikTok video documenting the journey of your relationship. Write a romantic caption about your partner, calling them a term of endearment.

Post a photo of your partner’s body part to soft launch your relationship. Not ready to reveal your partner’s identity just yet? No worries! Upload a picture of their hands, feet, or the back of their head—along with a caption that alludes you’re seeing someone: Post that there’s “someone special” in your life. Post a photo of you and your partner holding hands. Post a photo of your partner’s drink or meal next to yours. Post a story of the back of your partner’s head while they walk in front of you. Post a photo of your feet together on a hike, sitting on the beach, or at the park.

Signs to Hard Launch Your Relationship

You feel safe and secure with your partner. Feeling confident in your relationship is usually a sign that you’re ready for a hard launch. It means your partner is supportive, loving, and respectful, and you trust them enough to tell others about your relationship. Keep in mind there’s no set timeline for building security in a relationship, but it typically increases over time.

You and your partner are comfortable sharing the news publicly. When you and your partner feel okay announcing your partnership online, interpret it as a sign to do so! It’s a great way to make both of you feel confident and secure, which can increase overall happiness and satisfaction in your relationship. Before announcing your relationship, talk to your partner to ensure you respect their boundaries—some people prefer to keep things private, and a hard launch may make them feel uncomfortable.

You’re excited to share your love with the world. A major sign that you’re ready to hard launch your relationship is if you’re looking forward to it. Most people feel eager, giddy, or proud to reveal their partner online, and they have a strong urge to share the timeline of their relationship to everyone they know. Make sure you’re hard launching because you want to share good news, instead of seeking validation on social media!

You want to show commitment in your relationship. Looking to let your partner know that they’re “the one?” Hard launch your relationship to express love and affection! Since it shows you’re proud to be with your partner, it’s considered one of the landmarks in a relationship.

Some people already know you have a partner. If you’ve told your close friends and family members that you’re in a relationship (or you’ve already made a “soft launch”), a hard launch is the next natural step. In fact, it's one of the most efficient ways to tell other people about your partner—rather than messaging them individually.

You won’t feel embarrassed if you break up. Lots of people avoid “hard launching” because they’re afraid of splitting up with their partner in a few months. But, if you feel so secure in your relationship that you can’t even think about that happening, it’s a good sign that you’re ready to hard launch.

It’s been a while since your last relationship. If you recently broke up with someone, a hard launch with a new partner might be considered rude or cringeworthy. Make sure enough time has passed before announcing your new relationship to be respectful toward your ex.