Publicly announcing a relationship in a clear, unmistakable way, often by posting your partner online.
A hard launch is when you make a relationship public without ambiguity, usually by sharing a photo or post that plainly shows you are a couple. There is no guessing and no coded hints involved.
It is the counterpart to a soft launch, where someone teases a partner by showing an arm, a shadow, or two coffee cups without revealing identity. The hard launch removes the mystery and names the relationship openly.
For many people it signals confidence and commitment, since you are willing to attach your name and face to the relationship in front of everyone you know, including exes and coworkers.
This ties into broader questions about privacy and timing in a relationship. Before you post, make sure your partner is comfortable with the same level of visibility you are. Matching expectations about going public avoids an awkward mismatch, hurt feelings, or a launch that one person never agreed to.