Newsweek just dropped a gem of an article, and honestly, it explains so much about why dating feels like a group project where only one person is doing the work. According to a new Feeld report, nearly 7 in 10 straight millennial men have never bothered to update their dating profiles since the day they made them. Outdated photos, blank bios, “Ask me anything” prompts — the whole museum-of-2018 package.

Meanwhile, women are over here refreshing their profiles like it’s tax season — new pics, updated intentions, clarified deal-breakers, the works. The imbalance isn’t just about who’s single… it’s about who’s actually putting in effort. And guess what? Experts quoted in the article say this low-effort approach is fueling today’s so-called “dating crisis.”

Here’s the good news: effort is a trend that never goes out of style. And if you want 2026 to be the year you actually land dates instead of watching everyone else soft-launch relationships, it’s time for a glow-up.

How to Reverse the Trend and Actually Stand Out in 2026

Update your profile like you mean it.
Refresh your photos. Rewrite that bio. Delete anything that includes “I never know what to say here.” You do know. Try.

Message like someone who wants a date, not a pen pal.
“Hey :)” is not a conversation starter — it’s a digital shrug. Ask a real question. Make a specific plan. Suggest a place that isn’t the bar closest to your apartment.

Show curiosity.
Follow-up questions are sexy. So is actually reading their profile. If she says she loves hiking, don’t ask her if she likes the outdoors. Please.

Widen your search filters.
The Feeld study showed many men restrict distance or preferences so tightly they’re basically dating inside a shoebox. Loosen up. You might even meet someone delightful outside your five-block radius.

Treat dating like a priority, not a hobby you forget about until you’re bored.
Everyone can tell who’s actually showing up and who’s phoning it in. Effort is attractive. Effort gets dates. Effort is the flex of 2026.

Ready to Actually Put In the Effort?

This is where OBC comes in. If you’re done half-sending messages and hoping for miracles – stop here first for quality profiles, better messages, hotter dates — and yes, far fewer “hey”s with three y’s.

Join OBC, put in the work, and make 2026 the year you stop spectating and start dating.