Like it or not, Airbnb is a Goliath in the world of booking sites for short term rentals. Fortunes are made and lost based on placement in the algorithm of this website. Airbnb has openly discussed their algorithms and as a for profit business, has every right to promote the listings that are both highly rated and making them money. Now that inventory has ballooned to historic levels, investors are fighting to have their property seen on page one or two. Owners whose Airbnb listing not showing up in search results are complaining that they can’t even find their homes on the web site, despite searching on a map in the exact location.
How Sid Was Here Fixes an Airbnb Listing Not Showing
As a property manager, I have taken these calls many times. Owners think that we have done something to hide their listing. My first answer is always that I make no money unless the homeowner makes money. We are always aligned. However, after spending time searching for hidden listings and even calling Airbnb for help, I have decided that the answer is always to act. Complaints and phone calls do nothing to improve your Airbnb listing. But rest assured, there are ways to fight back. No matter what you’ve been told about getting the attention of a faceless algorithm, know that the thing that moves the ever-present needle is money. The more money your property makes, the higher it will rank. The algorithm also takes note of action on the listings. The more views a home gets, the more likely it is to get booked.
Five Ways to Fix an Airbnb Listing Not Showing
While These ideas are not free, they can be a very effective tool to boost your Airbnb property listing.
1. Ask Your Friends and Family to Book Your Airbnb Listing:
Ask friends and family to book your home on days when a booking is unlikely, like tonight. Property owners can reduce the minimum night stay and reduce the rental rate. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get the booking fees back, but the action on your listing will more than pay for the inconvenience of losing a few dollars. You will be tempted to let them book for a small amount, but the algorithm responds to money. Keep the nightly rate low but reasonable. The best business transaction is a win-win, and Airbnb will deliver for you if you play by the rules.
2. Ask for Five-Star reviews on Your Airbnb:
Ask for reviews, ask every guest, every time. If your friends and family book your home, this will be an easy task. When guests choose your home, give them five-star service. The higher your average rating, the more your home will be given visibility.
3.Keep Your Airbnb Short-Term Rental Updated:
This is easier said than done. The less money you spend, the more you will earn. But things will wear out quickly when placed in a short-term rental. You need to anticipate this. Start with new furniture and update things like couches and linens every few years to keep the home fresh. Stay up with in style colors and decor trends. Embrace color and theme. I have seen so many houses in the past few years with gray floors, gray furniture and gray walls. This combination doesn’t show well in photos and reduces the likelihood of a guest clicking on your listing to see more.
4. Focus on Your Airbnb Images and Compare to Other Listings:
Scroll down through the listings in your town. Which photos catch your eye? The initial photo of a listing is the only one guests see when they begin their search on Airbnb. Does this first photo jump out when you look at it among other photos? Often simply changing the initial photo to a scene that stands out better is enough to bring in bookings.
5. Gather Constructive Feedback on Your Airbnb Listing:
Share your listing or listings with your friends and family and get them to critique it for you. More than likely, you have put a lot of work into the home. You are not going to see the listing as objectively as someone else. Ask for feedback and constructive criticism. Seeing your listing from the eyes of a potential guest will tell you a lot. Often listings are unclear or misleading. If your friends read the information and have questions, your guests will, too. Guests will always choose a place with great reviews and a clear description.
Fix Your Airbnb Listing Not Showing: Hire Sid Was Here
We know that Airbnb can be frustrating. Often it is a matter of knowing what you don’t know. That is one reason why so many people look to property management as a better solution than trying to figure it all out yourself. The difference is that we have already been there, done that. The key is to leverage all the tools you must make the most profit from your short-term rental. I hope that these tips have been helpful and will make you money. At Sid Was Here, we will continue to bring great content and education in this wonderful investment space. Follow us on social media for additional info on managing your short-term rental. Contact Us today to get started.
Own a home here and thinking about renting it out? Take a look at our property management in Savannah.
