If you’re an Airbnb host, you’ve almost certainly heard of Airbnb SEO (search engine optimization). Known as one of the most effective methods for optimizing your Airbnb listing and increasing reservations, this technique is required for everyone marketing their home on the network.

Vacation rental owners’ principal objective is to get as many reservations as possible at the best feasible pricing. There are several methods to do this, like upgrading your facilities, hiring a professional photographer, or developing a website for your rental company. While you should devote attention to each of these strategies, there is one thing that every host must learn to succeed on Airbnb, and that is the search ranking algorithm.

This post will walk you through all of the greatest techniques and methods for optimizing your Airbnb search. You’ll learn all there is to know about the subject, from the algorithm to easy techniques to enhance your listing.

What is Airbnb search engine optimization?

Just like you would optimize a website for Google or Bing, you must optimize your Airbnb listing for the Airbnb search engine.

Unlike Google’s ranking variables, Airbnb’s SEO techniques, on the other hand, do not use keywords or written content. It’s more about comprehending how searchers behave and how you, as a host, can accommodate their wants.

One of these acts, for instance, is the number of clicks in the search results. While this is beyond your control as a host, Airbnb considers it a very strong indicator if visitors click on certain listings to learn more. Having said that, Airbnb tracks only clicks from distinct guests. Therefore, avoid clicking hundreds of times on your search result; this will not lead you anywhere!

How to Increase Airbnb Reservations

Optimizing your Airbnb profile for search is the first step in increasing your exposure, attracting more visitors, and increasing your reservations. Here are the top 14 recommendations for improving your Airbnb ranking and boosting your revenue!

1. Consider yourself a visitor

Put yourself in the shoes of the traveler. If you’re a visitor on Airbnb, you want to locate the ideal listing for your vacation, and that’s exactly what Airbnb aims to give. Therefore, when you prepare your property and post the listing, consider the kind of tourist who might like staying at your location. Is it geared for daring lone travelers, busy workaholics, or families with children? Prepare your home and listing for these targeted audiences, and they’ll discover you easier.

2. Maintain an up-to-date calendar.

To begin, always ensure that your Airbnb calendar is completely up to date. Not only will you be seen as an active and helpful host, but you’ll also see an instant boost in your Airbnb SEO. By upgrading your availability, you may improve your rating on Airbnb and attract more prospective customers.

3. Avoid skimping on high-quality photographs.

Include professional-looking images in your listing. Although this suggestion will have no direct effect on the Airbnb search algorithm, it will assist significantly. Your photographs will provide the initial impression and will impact whether or not someone clicks on your listing. Additionally, it will assist them in determining whether or not to place it on their Wish List! The more passengers who click on your offering and save it to their Wish List, the higher your listing will appear in search results.

4. Availability for instant booking

Make a booking as simple as possible. Since 2016, Airbnb has been rolling out the Instant Book function, and the fact is that the tool is currently used by the majority of guests and hosts. As a result of the enormous popularity of quick booking, Airbnb promotes those properties that accept it.

Nonetheless, if you use the Request to Book method of taking bookings, you may still get a high ranking on Airbnb as long as you do well in the other critical areas.

5. React promptly

Being attentive and offering excellent guest communication is an easy method to increase the visibility of your Airbnb listing. This will assist you in closing reservations and achieving Superhost status. Attempt to respond to each question and remark made by your visitors as fast as feasible. The program keeps track of both reaction rate and time. Never wait more than 24 hours to respond to a visitor.

Bear in mind that although Airbnb does not explicitly reward Superhosts, the criteria for being a Superhost do help your listing rank better.

6. Price to outperform your competitors

A competitive price is critical since it is a significant aspect of the decision-making process for visitors when comparing listings. Occasionally, a little increase in price can exclude your item from certain searches. Create and execute an effective pricing plan to get the greatest outcomes. Additionally, you may use a third-party pricing service.

7. Complete the transaction

Close as many reservations as possible to boost your Airbnb’s search engine optimization. While increasing the number of clicks on your listing will improve your search position, bear in mind that the ratio of reservations to clicks is also a component of the algorithm. According to Airbnb, “successful listings do an excellent job of assisting visitors in making a booking decision.” Thus, having a stunning listing complete with excellent images and an accurate description would not be enough. To ensure that you are one of the first listings in your region, you must end those reservations.

8. Amass as many five-star reviews as possible

The quantity and quality of reviews you get are two of the most well-known ranking variables on Airbnb. Simply invite your visitors to post favorable feedback. Explain to them how you intend to enhance future visitors’ experiences by using their feedback. Also, it is important to optimize your Airbnb listing.  Maintain a helpful attitude during their stay and make every effort to meet any extra demands (as long as they are reasonable!).

9. Refuse and cancel appointments as rarely as possible

To maintain a high ranking in search results, you should strive to have a few cancellations and booking request refusals as feasible. If you pick Instant Book, you will be fined for canceling appointments for just one month. After that month, cancellation fees apply – unless you have legitimate grounds. If you employ the Request to Book technique, you may potentially decline as many booking requests as you like. It is important to note, however, that the ratio of clicks to reservations is critical for your search ranking. As a result, the more requests you deny, the worse your search rating. Make your home rules as explicit as possible on your ad to prevent refusals and cancellations.

10. Take use of vacation rental software

Vacation rental software gives hosts the tools they need to optimize their Airbnb listings. With a channel manager that simplifies calendar management and automatic guest communication, you can guarantee that your listing stands out on Airbnb and ranks higher.

Conclusion

Not to be dramatic, but this is essential advice for every Airbnb host. It’s a lot to take in, but if you tackle each topic individually, you’ll soon be on your way to great Airbnb SEO! All of the effort you’ve put into constructing the ideal home will soon bear fruit, and you’ll begin to see reservations flood in.