Let’s say you have amazing pictures of your rental on airbnb, the prices are quite reasonable too, the reviews are positive as well, but what is the use of all this when clients are not able to find your listing? Your listing is lost in the crowd, and as a result you get less bookings and little to no revenue. To help clients find your listing on airbnb, you would need to do its proper SEO. Now for hosts who don’t know what SEO is – it’s actually a secret language that only Google’s algorithm can understand. And it does wonders for the visibility of your listing, if done properly, you can have increased booking rate.
But is doing SEO as technical as it sounds? Well, to be honest, yes. But you can definitely apply the tactics that we will discuss in this blog so you can improve the position of your listing.
Before your short term rental becomes like that of a ghost town that’s abandoned, empty and is only visible to those who stumble upon it by accident, let us enlighten you with all those tips and tricks that you can apply and increase traffic on your listing.
What Is Airbnb SEO?
Think of Airbnb SEO like the SEO used to boost a website’s rankings on Google—it’s all about making your listing as relevant and useful as possible for searchers.
The better you tailor your listing to match Airbnb’s ranking factors, the more likely it is to show up prominently in search results.
Airbnb uses an algorithm to find the best matches for guest searches. When a person inputs his or her search criteria, the algorithm sifts through millions of listings to find the ones that best fit.
While the algorithm looks at a lot of different factors, a few stand out as the most important: the quality of your listing, its popularity, and its price. These elements can really impact where your listing shows up in search results.
6 Ways To Do SEO For Airbnb Listing That Helps You Rank Better
01 Boost Your Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Want to make your Airbnb listing more visible? Improving your click-through rate (CTR) is where it’s at. CTR measures how often people are clicking on your listing after seeing it in search results, displayed as a percentage.
Example: Your listing appears 100 times in search results and gets clicked 10 times. Your CTR is 10%.
According to IntelliHost, optimizing your listing’s cover image, emphasizing unique features, fine-tuning your pricing, and making small tweaks to the title can all improve your CTR. Titles matter, but images and pricing carry more weight. By boosting your CTR, you could see your ranking factor climb by as much as 5 percentage points!
So, where do you start? Here are some simple tips:
A good title captures attention right from the first look. For example, instead of “Cozy 2-Bedroom Apartment,” something like “Stylish 2-Bedroom Loft—Perfect for Families & Remote Work” could do.
Use stunning cover photos: High-quality, bright, and professional images, especially your cover photo, make a huge difference. Although the number of photos doesn’t directly impact your ranking, those first few images play a key role in getting clicks.
Display Unique Features: Have a hot tub, private patio, or fantastic view? Include that within your title. For example, “Modern Cabin with Hot Tub & Mountain Views” is much more appealing than something generic.
02 Use Keywords That Stand Out
Using the right keywords in your Airbnb title and description can help improve your listing’s visibility and attract the right guests. However, remember that the effectiveness of these keywords often depends on your location and audience. While they might not guarantee a higher ranking, they can definitely make your listing more appealing.
Here’s how to use descriptive keywords to optimize your Airbnb listing:
1. Highlight Cleanliness in Your Title
Guests love clean rooms, and Airbnb cares about that, too. Using keywords like “clean,” “spotless,” or “sanitized” in your title will improve it by more than 4 points. This even works even when your cleanliness score is quite high.
Example: “Spotlessly Clean 2-Bedroom Loft—Safe and Sanitized Stay.”
2. Mention Privacy and Seclusion
If your property is private, remote, or tucked away, be sure to include this in your title. Using keywords such as “secluded,” “remote,” or “off-grid” can improve your ranking factor by approximately 3 points and appeal to guests who want quiet time.
Example: “Secluded Cottage with Private Hot Tub—Perfect for Relaxation.”
3. Highlight Eco-Friendly Features
For the environmentally conscious traveler, it is the little touches that make all the difference. Words like “sustainable” or “green” can add over 1 point to your ranking factor and make your listing stand out.
Example: “Eco-Friendly Tiny Home—Solar-Powered and Sustainable Design.”
4. Highlight Updates with Novelty Terms
If your property is newly renovated or recently updated, make sure to say so. Keywords like “new” or “renovated” can add about 1 point to your ranking factor.
Example: “Newly Renovated Apartment with Modern Amenities.”
5. Add Unique Experience Keywords
Guests love unique experiences, and words such as “one-of-a-kind” or “unique” will make your listing stand out. Using these in your description can add about 1 point to your ranking factor.
Example: “Unique Glamping Experience in a One-of-a-Kind Dome.”
6. Avoid Overused or Misleading Keywords
Some terms, like “view,” may not help your ranking as much as you’d think. Instead, let your photos showcase those scenic features, and focus on more impactful keywords in your title and description.
Optimizing your listing with carefully chosen, descriptive keywords can do wonders for attracting guests and boosting your visibility!
03 Emphasize the Amenities
The type of amenities you include in your Airbnb listing is going to matter. Showing off the appropriate amenities will help attract your guests and increase your presence. Our analysis reveals that listings emphasizing around 8-9 key amenities increase by about 4 percentage points of visibility. It is all about striking a balance: enough to impress, yet not too many to make it look cluttered.
Here’s how you can make your amenities stand out.
Keep It Simple:
Instead of listing every available amenity, focus on the quality. Point out the things that really matter, like air conditioning or a kitchen fully equipped, but let’s not overwhelm the viewer. Think about what is worthwhile for your audience.
Highlight the Luxe Touches:
If you’ve got standout amenities like a hot tub, a cozy fireplace, or even a fast EV charger, make sure they take center stage in your listing. These can make your property feel more special and unique.
Accommodate Your Guests:
Tailor your amenities to your ideal audience. For families, mention things like cribs or high chairs. For adventurers, talk about bikes or kayaks. Pet-friendly? That’s a huge plus for many travelers—make it clear!
By highlighting the right amenities, you’re not only upping your visibility but also drawing in the right guests for your space. It’s all about what makes your property shine.
04 Increase Your Review Score
The better the reviews, the higher the chance of getting booked. The ranking of your airbnb’s listing depends highly on your review game. According to AirDNA, if your ranking score is 80 to 100 – your ranking is boosted by 3.4 points.
Why Review Scores Matter for SEO
High review scores are one of the main factors that Airbnb’s search algorithm uses to determine the quality and appeal of a listing. Listings with consistently positive reviews are likely to rank higher in search results.
Higher review scores create a sense of trust with potential guests, making your listing more attractive to them. This can boost the click-through rate (CTR), yet another factor that improves your chances of being seen in Airbnb’s search rankings. Excellent reviews tend to boost repeat bookings and word-of-mouth recommendations, which can enhance their relevance in the algorithm.
Using Review Scores to Boost Visibility
High review scores indicate a consistent and positive guest experience, which the algorithm favors for your listing.
Guest engagement is rewarded with better rankings by Airbnb. Guests will naturally use keywords that describe your property’s features in their reviews, such as “The cozy fireplace was amazing!”, which can add relevant keywords to boost your SEO profile.
By maintaining a strong review score, you’re essentially signaling to Airbnb and potential guests that your property is a trustworthy, high-quality option—improving your visibility in search results and driving more bookings.
05 Have A Pricing Strategy in Place
Getting your pricing right is one of the smartest moves you can make to boost your Airbnb ranking and visibility. Our analysis reveals that strategic price changes improve ranking factors by up to 3 points, mainly mid-week pricing. So here’s what you should know:
1. Competitive Pricing Matters:
Airbnb’s algorithm favors listings that are priced below comparable properties in the same area. If your listing offers similar guest capacity and amenities but is more budget-friendly, you’ll likely rank higher in search results.
2. Top Price Tiers Perform Better
Listings in the top 40% price tier for their market tend to outperform lower-tier listings by about 4 points, even when controlling for price differences. Why? These higher-priced listings often cater to the growing demand for luxury accommodations and deliver an elevated guest experience.
3. Price Competitively Within Your Tier
While more expensive listings tend to get more views, the game is to be competitive in your tier. Whether you are after budget travelers or luxury hunters, price according to value.
4. Price for Mid-Week
Don’t forget about mid-week pricing! You can charge more for weekdays and capture travelers looking for deals outside of peak times. You will also get more views in search rankings.
5. Use Airbnb’s Smart Pricing Tools (Carefully)
Airbnb’s dynamic pricing tool is useful in keeping you up and competitive, but do not depend on it alone. Check your market regularly and make sure that your prices will be reflective of the value of your property and of its seasonality.
By improving your pricing strategy, you are not only attracting the right guests but also getting your listing to appear higher in Airbnb’s search results. Smart pricing is more than just numbers; it makes your listing stand out.
06 Complete Your Profile
Though completing your profile is not a guaranteed ranking factor, a complete profile is an indication of an authentic host and a reliable listing. If you have updated your verification, your profile picture and have added info about yourself with clear description. Your Airbnb profile is not an introduction, but an opportunity to prove credibility and bring in more bookings. A full and detailed profile increases the listing’s chances of being on the first page of search results and builds trust among potential guests. Here’s why and how:
1. Airbnb Prioritizes Verified Hosts:
Host listings tend to rank better when a host has a fully completed profile, which includes an active verified ID, profile photo, and bio. The confirmed profile shows reliability to guests as well as to Airbnb’s algorithm.
2. Build Guest Trust:
Guests are more likely to book from hosts they feel they know. Use your bio to showcase your personality, hosting style, and commitment to providing a great experience. For instance, you can mention your interests or highlight what makes you passionate about hosting.
3. Add All Contact Details:
Update and verify your email address and phone number. Airbnb prefers profiles with complete contact details since it streamlines communication with guests.
4. Include a Professional Profile Photo:
Your photo creates a personal connection. Choose a friendly, approachable picture that aligns with your hosting persona.
5. Highlight Superhost Status or Achievements:
If you’re a Superhost or have received great reviews, mention it in your bio. It’s an easy way to showcase your experience and commitment to quality hosting.
6. Answer Profile Questions Thoughtfully:
Airbnb asks hosts to provide answers to questions of why they host or what guests will expect. Use these areas to give thoughtful, detailed responses that speak to the heart of your potential guests.
7. Consistency
Your profile should reflect your listing. If you are marketing a family-friendly rental, your bio should reflect that audience—talk about how you cater to families or what inspired you to create a kid-friendly space.
A complete profile not only boosts your search ranking but also helps build trust with guests, making them more likely to choose your listing. It’s your first impression—make it count!
Conclusion
In conclusion, optimizing an Airbnb listing to increase visibility requires the strategic combination of factors – from crafting compelling titles and highlighting key amenities to keeping high review scores and building a competitive pricing strategy. Every detail-from the quality of your photos to the completeness of your host profile-contributes to how the Airbnb algorithm ranks your listing. Focus on these elements and continuously improve based on guest feedback and market trends to significantly boost your listing’s visibility, attract more bookings, and ultimately enhance your success as a host. Remember, the goal is not just to rank higher but to create a memorable guest experience that encourages repeat bookings and glowing reviews, keeping your listing thriving in a competitive market.
