A RELATIONSHIP ‘soft launch’ is a red flag that it might not work out, according to a study.
The tactic involves posting social media hints that you have a new partner but without showing their face or name.
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A relationship ‘soft launch’ is a red flag that it might not work out, according to a study Credit: Getty
Zendaya and Tom Holland teased online followers before confirming they were together Credit: Splash
A-list couples including Zendaya and Tom Holland, and Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, teased online followers before confirming they were together.
But a study by the University of Texas found soft launch lovers score lower on questions about their commitment to the relationship.
It quizzed 303 people aged 18 to 35 on how they announced their relationship and their satisfaction afterwards.
Results in the Southern Communication Journal showed soft launchers agreed less strongly with statements like ‘I want our relationship to last for a very long time’ and ‘I am committed to maintaining my relationship with my partner’.
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They also admitted to sharing fewer private things with their partners, and their relationship satisfaction was lower.
Study author and PhD student Ellen Alley said the technique could be used by people who want to keep their options open.
She said: “Our findings suggest soft launches may lead to poorer relationship satisfaction and commitment, perhaps because they reflect hesitation or uncertainty about people’s intentions towards each other.
“Meanwhile hard launches made clearly and publicly are linked to relationship stability.
“However, soft launches aren’t inherently detrimental or a bad sign for a relationship.
“The best advice might be to talk through the decision with your partner so you are both on the same page and you don’t leave them wondering if the soft launch is indicative of a lack of commitment.”
Examples of a soft launch include posting a photo of a partner from the back, with their face covered or with their head cropped out of a photo.
