Unlike the kiss emoji, which shows a fleeting moment of affection, this emoji is more often used to indicate the status of being "in a relationship." It's also popular in profile statuses to announce that someone is taken.

It symbolizes more than just two people; it represents the entire positive relationship, including love, trust, and a future together. It's especially favored by engaged or long-term couples to express their stable bond, and the addition of skin tone options has also given it a sense of inclusivity.