Airbnb SEO Optimization Techniques 2025 [Latest Findings]

Do you know Airbnb uses 100+ factors to assess and rank a listing? Yes, you heard it right. 

While Airbnb has revealed some of those factors (discussed later in this guide), most of them are kept secret from the public. They are kept hidden to avoid ranking manipulation. 

However, working for years in the Airbnb short-term rental sector, DOSbnb has found a few Airbnb SEO optimization techniques that actually ‘rank’ listings higher.

Airbnb search engine optimization (SEO) is all about using working techniques and tweaks to help your listings appear higher in search results. 

So, what are those techniques? What are the top secrets our team has discovered? How can regular hosts apply them? Read to learn it!

1. Use Keywords
2. Optimize Your Listing Title and Description
3. High-Quality Photos
4. Enable Instant Book
5. Collect Positive Guest Reviews
6. Maintain a High Response Rate
7. Keep Your Calendar Updated
8. Get That ‘Superhost’ Status

1. Use Keywords

The first thing that is key to Airbnb SEO, but most hosts don’t talk about it, is keywords. 

While many don’t believe in keywords, what we have found out is that using the right keywords in your listing helps Airbnb’s search engines better understand it. 

The result? A keyword-focused listing always ranks better. 

A few tools you can use for this purpose are:

1. Google Keyword Planner – best to find broad search terms
2. Rankbreeze or Mangools – best for Airbnb-specific keyword research
3. Airbnb’s search bar – best for suggestions

You can also do competitor analysis to find what terms and phrases they are using. Simply analyze their listing and search for terms they used to see what they are ranking for. 

There are two reasons to use keywords in your listings: they help the Airbnb algorithm better understand a listing and help guests quickly see the best property features. 

Therefore, once you find keywords for your listing, use them across your listings: in the title, description, and photo captions. 

Please note that don’t stuff them. Instead, try to be natural here, and use them where they are necessary and come naturally without force intention. 

Try to use keywords to align each listing to what guests are searching for.

2. Optimize Your Listing Title and Description

The first thing that can rank your listing higher is an optimized title and description. 

But what is an optimized title and description? How can you create one?

Let us start with the title first!

Write a title in a way (with specific terms) that highlights the unique points of the property—location, aesthetics, views, or unique characters. For example, mention ocean views, private pool, patio, etc., if applicable. 

Don’t forget to mention the city in which the property is located, as well as the neighborhood. Also, keep it concise so it is easy to read and understand. 

Here is an illustration that shows doing so practically:     

Once you’re done with the title, it is time to tweak your description. 

Always start by introducing the space—mention all the aspects that make it unique and special from the other listings in the search results. 

Focus on these aspects of the property:

1. The layout
2. Room configurations
3. Number of guests it can hold
4. Nearby locations
5. Does it have a kitchen?
6. And the list goes on

Also, mention what areas on the property guests can access. Add details related to the parking for guest vehicles, any available transportation means, etc. 

One of the perfect listing descriptions we once found is this:

3. High-Quality Photos

Another Airbnb listing tip for better ranking is to use high-quality photos. 

Very, very, very important!

Airbnb ranking algorithms consider photos and go through each one when assessing the listing. Just like guests, photos also appeal to search algorithms. When this happens, a listing ranks. 

Photos are also a key not only to ranking a listing but to making a guest click on it when it appears on result pages. 

But how can you capture and decide the best photos for a listing? Have a look at this high-ranking listing in Nova Conceição, Brazil, before diving into the ‘how-to’ part:

As you can see from the listing, each photo should be well-lit and taken in the right daytime (when rooms get the most daylight. 

Make sure there is no clutter, and everything is neat and clean when photos are being taken. Cover all different areas of the property and amenities from different angles.

Each photo should be high-resolution, with at least 1200 x 800 pixels. Make sure you mix up pictures of different types: wide shots, mid-level shots, and close-ups. 

Add descriptive alt text (with keywords) to your photos to help with search engine optimization.

4. Enable Instant Book

Airbnb wants its guests to book as soon as possible, without any wait. 

The platform has the Instant Book feature for this purpose. With this feature enabled, guests can select available dates and book a property ‘instantly’ without waiting for the host to accept or decline their request.

No questions, no delays, no wait—everything is instant!

The interesting part? Enabling this feature brings better rankings for a listing. 

In fact, it improves occupancy rates by 3% than non-Instant Book competitors. And increases average daily rates (ADR) by 7% and revenue per available rental (RevPAR) by 10%. 

So, turn on the Instant Book feature on a listing if you want another reason for better ranking. 

To switch it on, log into your Airbnb dashboard, click on ‘Listings’, and open a specific listing. Under the listing editor, click ‘Your space’ > ‘Instant Book’ and switch it on. 

Remember, don’t forget to select your guest requirement before you save the setting. 

5. Collect Positive Guest Reviews

Trust is a key factor for guests when they book from an OTA platform. And it comes from reviews on a listing from previous guests. 

On top of that, guest reviews are also important for Airbnb search algorithms when deciding which listing to show up. Hence, reviews are a BIG DEAL. 

So, when a guest checks out, make sure you review them first, send them a thank you note, and remind them of their review about you. Be polite and maintain a ‘request’ tone when doing so.

For your information, a guest can leave two types of reviews within 14 days of checkout:

1. Star rating (for cleanliness, accuracy, check-in, communication, location, value)
2. Written review of their experience

Even before you get to the review-request part, make sure you focus on all the things a guest can review for: cleanliness, accuracy, check-in, communication, location, and value.

Keep your Airbnb neat and clear, make check-in for guests welcoming, be available all the time for any query, and set competitive pricing.

6. Maintain a High Response Rate

Response rate is a metric that defines how fast a host responds to the guests’ queries and reservation requests within 24 hours over the last 30 days. 

Airbnb wants to make it fast so that guests can get their answers. One solution they have found is that they have made response rate a ranking factor for hosts to rank their listings. 

A fast response rate not only makes guests happy but also gives better search rankings. 

But how can you see your response rate?

Simply go to the dashboard, and you’ll be able to find how you’re performing from here. Not just you but your guests can also see your performance in terms of response rate. 

Make sure you keep your response rate 90% or above to get the best rankings. 

Simply respond to every message of the guest as soon as possible—the quicker the better. 

Airbnb’s Save Messages feature is your best bet here. Instead of writing separate answers for every guest, create and use pre-written messages, like check-in instructions, booking confirmations, and welcome messages.  

You can also hire a dedicated visual assistant to communicate with guests 24/7 on your behalf and improve your response time.

7. Keep Your Calendar Updated

As mentioned earlier, trust is key for guests who book stays from an online platform.

Airbnb always tries its best to maintain it. The platform has made it very, very important for hosts to keep free dates and listing availability updated by making it a ranking factor. 

Even though the Instant Book feature impacted the importance of an updated calendar, it still works well to achieve better rankings. 

Once you activate the Instant Book feature, keep your calendar refreshed. 

Here are some tips and tricks to keep your calendar updated:

1. Block those dates on your calendar when your space isn’t available. 
2. Use the ‘Availability Settings’ wisely inside your calendar. Set rules like how far in advance guests can book or the minimum and maximum length of stays.
3. Have you listed your property on multiple OTA platforms? Sync your calendar, then. 
4. Adjust your rental rate as per the demand—holidays, weekends, or local events. 

Most importantly, be active if you want Airbnb to reward yourself. 

Just open and save your calendar regularly (even if you don’t make changes). This shows Airbnb that you’re active and paying attention and gives your listing a small search rankings boost.

8. Get That ‘Superhost’ Status

An Airbnb Superhost is a hosting person who gets the ‘Superhost’ badge on their profile. 

They get this badge after putting too much effort into Airbnb hosting. They consistently provide exceptional hospitality, are highly rated, and meet specific criteria. 

When a host gets Superhost status, their reward is better rankings. 

While the reward is quite ‘rankable’, getting this badge needs you to maintain these performance metrics over 12 months:

1. Host at least 10 stays or 100 nights over at least three stays
2. Maintain a 90% or higher response rate
3. Maintain a 4.8 overall rating or higher
4. Maintain a cancellation rate of less than 1%

Try your best to get this status. And when you get it, you’ll see an instant boost in the search rankings of your listings, booking, and earnings—all in one place.

What Are Top Ranking Factors Airbnb Considers?

Airbnb officially announced only a few factors that decide the ranking of a listing:

However, some unannounced factors that influence Airbnb’s ranking are:

• Click Through Rates
• Booking Rate Velocity
• Your Availability
• Desktop & Mobile Personalization
• Inquiry Rate
• Instant Book
• Response Rates
• Acceptance Rate
• Guest Satisfaction
• Complete Host Verifications
• Response Time
• Review Quantity
• Guests’ Historical Bookings
• Personalization
• Keywords
• Social Connections
• “Unavailable Date” Rejections
• Commitment Rate

Remember, algorithms also try to bring variety to search results. 

What it means is that even if a guest searches for a property on Airbnb, they will also be presented with listings with different hosts, different prices, and different characteristics.

How Does Adding Amenities Give Better Rankings?

Adding more amenities helps your Airbnb show up in more search results. How? 

Guests often use filters like Wi-Fi, kitchen, or free parking when looking for a place. If your listing has those, it gets seen more.

Amenities also make your place more appealing, which leads to more bookings and better reviews. More bookings and good reviews help boost your ranking.

The more useful stuff you offer, the higher your chances of getting noticed and booked.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Airbnb listing for search rankings is all about applying proven techniques that align with Airbnb’s latest algorithm.

From using smart keywords and writing descriptive titles to uploading high-quality photos and turning on Instant Book, every step matters.

Positive reviews, quick responses, and an updated calendar build trust and boost visibility. 

And if you aim for Superhost status, your listings will gain a significant edge. These strategies also apply to the other OTA platforms. If you have your listing on any platform other than Airbnb, you can use the same tactics, too.