Online Dating Is Brutal in 2026—Here Are 26 New Rules to Finally Get Good Matches (Part 1)

Online dating is changing faster than you can say “swipe.” And not knowing what works on the apps in 2026 will cost you matches, dates… and even keep you from finding love. In this episode, dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett reveals the rest of his 26 new rules for online dating success in 2026. Apply these practical tips to go from frustration to finally getting great dates—just like Connell’s clients do.Episode Highlights:01:45: The New Way to Use Audio Prompts on Hinge10:10: How the “3 Passions Rule” Makes Your Bio Magnetic12:00: What Causes Swiping Fatigue—and How to Fix It16:41: How to Set Up a First Date in Just 3 Messages19:23: Connell’s Texting Framework to Stop Getting GhostedBOOK A FREE CONSULTATION WITH CONNELL TO LEARN WHY AUTHENTICITY IS THE SECRET WEAPON TO IMPROVING YOUR DATING LIFE: www.DatingTransformation.comGET A FREE COPY OF CONNELL’S BESTSELLING BOOK, “DATING SUCKS BUT YOU DON’T.” EMAIL HIM WITH THE SUBJECT LINE “FREE BOOK” & GET YOURS TODAY! [email protected]

You’re exhausted by the dating apps, right? The endless swiping, the scarcity of matches, the ghosting. The problem? Online dating has changed, and most guys are still using outdated strategies. In this two-part episode, dating coach Connell Barrett breaks down his 26 new rules for online dating in 2026. It’s time to match more, get ghosted less, and finally find your dream woman in the new year.Episode Highlights:03:30: The Biggest Myth About Online Dating that Changes Everything07:20: How to Choose Photos You KNOW Will Work (Backed by Data)13:27: Survival of the Spiciest: The Prompt Women Respond To19:02: Replace Your Opening Photo with This33:12: The Secret to Taking Your Bio from Boring to Swipe-ableBOOK A FREE CONSULTATION WITH CONNELL TO LEARN HOW HIS COACHING CAN HELP YOU MEET THE GIRLFRIEND YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED: www.DatingTransformation.com

Chances are, you freeze up around women because you’re afraid of seeming weird or creepy. You just don’t want to give women “the ick,” right? In this episode, dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett proudly unveils his new framework: The 6 Icks—the 6 core behaviors that creep women out. Once you know them, you’re free to make confident, calibrated moves without seeming pushy or inappropriate.Episode Highlights:02:45: The Moment Connell Learned How to Approach with Charm, Not Creepiness12:15: The Sex Object Ick: Leading with Sexual Comments that Objectify Women13:05: The Too Timid Ick: Hesitant, Fearful Energy that Feels Uncomfortable14:20: The Me-First Ick: Making It About What You Want, Rather than a Win-Win15:22: The Try-Hard Ick: Desperate Bragging, Instead of Authentic Core Confidence16:35: The Signal-Blind Ick: Missing or Ignoring Her Cues and Escalating the Wrong Way20:01: The Agenda Ick: Using Manipulative Tactics & Ignoring Her BoundariesBOOK A FREE CALL WITH CONNELL TO LEARN HOW 1-ON-1 COACHING CAN HELP YOU MEET WOMEN AND FLIRT WITH CHARM:DatingTransformation.com

Dating sober raises real questions: Will women find you less interesting without alcohol? How do you handle social anxiety at bars or parties without “liquid courage”? And is liquid courage even real? In this episode of “How to Get a Girlfriend,” dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett answers 10 questions from sober (and sober-curious) men, revealing how to unlock core confidence, enjoy great dates, and make sobriety your new edge in dating.WANT TO MEET YOUR DREAM GIRLFRIEND IN 90 DAYS OR LESS? BOOK A FREE CALL WITH CONNELL TO SEE IF HIS 1-ON-1 COACHING IS RIGHT FOR YOU: http://DatingTransformation.com

Most guys need alcohol to approach women. But what if meeting women in bars actually gets easier when you’re sober—if done the right way? In Part 2 of his Sober Dating series, dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett shares his 5-step framework for reaching a fearless flow state when out meeting women, no booze required.Episode Highlights:01:58: What Happened When Connell Approached Models Sober10:03: Getting “Drunk” on Action: the Natural High that Beats Booze13:48: The 5 Master Steps–Your Framework for Confidently Approaching Women23:25: How Robbie Went from Frightened to Getting 5 Numbers in One Night29:30: The Truth about What to Say When You ApproachBOOK A FREE CONSULT WITH CONNELL TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN APPROACH WOMEN WITHOUT THE CRUTCH OF ALCOHOL: DatingTransformation.com

If you struggle with dating, you’re probably addicted to something. Maybe it's “liquid courage,” or settling for so-so relationships, or choosing porn over approaching women. In this 3-part sober dating series, dating coach Connell Barrett shares his 1,000-day journey of sobriety—and offers 3 steps that can help you beat almost any addiction. Whether you want to date sober or get out of your comfort zone, this inspiring episode shows you how to upgrade your love life.Episode Highlights:06:54: How a 30-Day “Booze Break” Became 1,000 Days—and a Whole New Life13:04: “This Is Not Me”: The Moment Connell Knew He Had to Change19:01: The Liquid Courage Lie28:00: The Lasting Way to Destroy an Addiction37:30: Three Steps to Kick Any Habit—and Transform Your Dating ConfidenceFOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH CONNELL BARRETT TO SEE IF DATING COACHING IS RIGHT FOR YOU: Go to DatingTransformation.com

If you struggle to start conversations with women, this episode of “How to Get a Girlfriend” will help. While taking questions, dating coach Connell Barrett gives you a simple, reliable ice-breaker you can use anywhere to talk to women—without it feeling awkward. He also reveals how much height and looks actually matter to women (hint: not much!). And you won’t believe what one guy is willing to do to his body to become taller.Episode Highlights:01:32: “Connell, How Do I Make Women Chase Me?”08:25: “How Do I Start Conversations without Making It Awkward?”11:55: “What Actually Makes Women Attracted to Men?”17:30: “How Important Are a Guy’s Looks to Women?”22:57: “Should I Get Leg-Lengthening Surgery to Become Taller?”DO YOU WANT TO ATTRACT YOUR DREAM GIRLFRIEND? BOOK A FREE CALL WITH CONNELL TO LEARN ABOUT 1-1 COACHING: http://www.DatingTransformation.comEMAIL CONNELL FOR A FREE COPY OF HIS NO. 1 AMAZON BESTSELLING BOOK, "DATING SUCKS BUT YOU DON'T": [email protected]

Do you feel like you’re just not charismatic? It’s frustrating to see outgoing guys succeed with women, while you feel stuck. But what if you could become charismatic to women today, without changing who you are? Dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett reveals his Charisma Code—the 3-part formula that helps introverts become magnetic to women. Get ready to discover the E=MC² of dating to unlock real charisma.Episode Highlights:01:48: The Charisma Code Formula: AE + P + Pl = Charisma02:40: How Connell First Applied it for a Great First Date07:37: Authentic Expression (AE): Why Your Uniqueness Unlocks True Charisma12:42: Presence (P): How to Get Out of Your Head when Talking to Women19:05: Playfulness (Pl): The Flirting Secret Women Want You to KnowBOOK A FREE CONSULT CALL WITH DATING COACH CONNELL BARRETT TO LEARN ABOUT HIS 1-on-1 COACHING: http://www.datingtransformation.comEMAIL CONNELL AND HE WILL SEND YOU A FREE COPY OF HIS BESTSELLING BOOK, “DATING SUCKS BUT YOU DON’T”: [email protected]

Are you unsure how to flirt with women? Dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett shares 5 flirty banter secrets that help you create chemistry, avoid awkward silences, and get her into you. These simple techniques work both in-person and on the dating apps. It’s time to go from boring to being great at banter.Episode Highlights:2:11: Secret #1: How to Tease Her without Crossing the Line6:48: Secret #2: Make Her the Seducer (A Fun Roleplay that Women Love)10:40: Secret #3: The 5 Best Banter Topics that Ignite Chemistry17:12: Secret #4: How to Spark Attraction with Sarcasm20:28: Secret #5: The Playful Pivot: Never Run Out of Things to Say Again!TO TAKE YOUR DATING RESULTS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL, BOOK A FREE CALL WITH CONNELL TO LEARN ABOUT 1-1 COACHING:http://www.DatingTransformation.comEMAIL CONNELL FOR A FREE COPY OF HIS NO. 1 AMAZON BESTSELLING BOOK, “DATING SUCKS BUT YOU DON’T”:[email protected]

Have you ever liked a woman who chose a total jerk over you? It stings and makes you wonder, “What does he have that I don’t?” In this episode of “How to Get a Girlfriend,” dating coach and bestselling author Connell Barrett helps a listener learn why the woman he was dating went back to her toxic ex—and what to do differently to attract the wonderful relationship he deserves.Highlights of this Episode:01:31: The Real Reason Women Sometimes Choose Jerks Over Good Guys07:12: Why Nice Guys like You Can Date Wonderful Women—If You Do One Thing26:15: How to Fearlessly Ask Out Your CrushTO TAKE YOUR DATING RESULTS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL, BOOK A FREE CALL WITH CONNELL TO LEARN ABOUT 1-1 COACHING: http://www.DatingTransformation.comEMAIL CONNELL FOR A FREE COPY OF HIS NO. 1 AMAZON BESTSELLING BOOK, “DATING SUCKS BUT YOU DON’T”: [email protected]