Airbnb Algorithm secrets! Are you looking for ways to get your Listing at the top of the Airbnb Search? I’ll show you exactly how in this article! Updated 10/13/2021
Have you searched your own listing and find it’s far from the top? Successfully catering to the algorithm will mean the difference between a top-ranked listing that is clicked by thousands of travelers or a rental that remains buried at the bottom of the list. In this article, you can learn more about HOW Airbnb’s algorithm works and find ways to boost your listing to the top of the search!
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How We Search is How Guests Search
Think about when you use Google to search a topic, do you choose something on the first page, or do you sift through 20 pages? It’s the same when a Guest is looking for a place. When a Guest begins searching for a place and they find your property in the top few listings, they’ll book it instantly without checking the hundreds of other places available on Airbnb.
I definitely do this.
The more your listing ranks at the top of the Airbnb search, the more chances you have to book your place, which affects how much money you will earn overtime!
How to Get to the Top of Airbnb search?
It’s simple. Do the things that their algorithm is looking for. As the author of The Ultimate Superhost Guide I’ve studied this topic thoroughly. Let me show you the most important actions you need to take!
Do everything that Algorithm uses to rank your listing high. It’s a computer program and you simply cater to what it wants. Easy right?
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #1 – Respond Quickly
Airbnb is a business and they make money when you make money. So, they want you to reply to all of your booking inquiries as quickly as you can. We are talking within 10 mins ideally, and no longer than an hour.
A host that replies to guest inquiries later, by hours or days, is ranked lower in searches, it’s simply not good for business.
MammaMode
Hosts who reply within an hour have a very high chance of getting booked. Their listings displayed at the top of the research page because they are simply great hosts and Airbnb rewards this.
Nothing is more frustrating to a guest than to contact a host about a stay and to get a reply many hours or days later. It simply wastes their time and takes the fun out of planning a vacation. When you finally do reply late, they have already moved on to another listing.
How to Be More Responsive
To be more responsive, install the Airbnb app on your phone and allow notifications. You can instantly reply to guest requests from anywhere. You’ll get a pop-up like any text message and you can reply immediately.
To make life easier you can create saved responses ready to use over and over within this app. Common responses to questions you will get all the time. Like booking requests, questions about your place, a booking welcome, check-In instructions, and even a reminder to write a review.
Create Saved Responses
Having ready to go saved responses on your Airbnb App will save you hours of time. How many times have you scrambled to write a semi-grammatically correct message to a new booking? Over time as a host, you will find it’s the same sequence of messages that you will need to send to guests before, during and after their stay. The trick is to have perfectly written and timed responses that you can efficiently fire off at the right moment!
I’ve compiled all of my saved responses and you can steal these and simply copy and paste them into your own saved responses: You can find those here!
Responding quickly to reservation requests in a friendly way will show guests that you are a welcoming host and they are more likely to book. Also, note that having Instant Booking turned on will attract last-minute reservations and improve your response time. With so many options for guests to choose from you need to let people Instant Book.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #2 – View your Calendar Daily
This is an insider tip but sucessful hosts visit their calendar page every day and Airbnb’s algorithm takes note of this. All it takes is a quick daily visit to your calendar page will help improve your ranking. Having an up-to-date calendar is a must to run a successful listing and the algorithm rewards the hosts doing this.
Tip: Have your Calendar Page set as your default page on your browser. Airbnb will respond by ranking your listing higher! You will land on that page multiple times per day with this trick.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #3 – Get Verified and Build Trust
Airbnb wants to build a trustworthy community that they can count on. So, if you are a new host, make sure to add your phone number & to get your ID-verified. If your listing is missing this information, they won’t rank you very high in the search – Who is this host anyway?
What to Verify
Go into your Airbnb account under the “Profile” menu and “Trust and Verification” sub-menu. Then complete all steps you need to do to get verified.
You should first confirm your email and phone number. Then you should also connect your profile to as many social media networks as you can, which will let Airbnb know that you are a real-live person.
Get Great Recommendations
Also, if you are new to Airbnb and don’t have any reviews yet, ask friends to recommend you as a host under the “Profile” and then References” sub-menu. You can ask for references from your personal network, and the references will appear publicly on your Airbnb profile to help the algorithm to get to know you.
All of this will help boost your ranking and it will make your listing more attractive to your first potential Guests. By doing this, Airbnb will see that you are more trustworthy, a verified real person and rank your listing higher.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #4 – Collect Multiple 5 Star Reviews
It’s essential to success for both you AND Airbnb that you deliver a great experience to your Guests. They want guests to be more than satisfied and to re-book again and again through their site.
Try to go the extra mile.
Airbnb will definitely rank your listing higher you collect a lot of positive feedback and get 5-star reviews from Guests! The more you receive the more Airbnb will showcase your listing. Once again, the more money you make, the more money you make.
If you think about it, It just makes sense right? If they know that Guests LOVE booking with you so they will rank you at the top of the list and showcase your listing to the world. It’s safer for them to show YOU rather than a host with low reviews, who responds late and isn’t verified.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #5– Get Added to as Many Wish Lists as Possible.
Did you know friends, family and potential Guests can “like” your listing and add it to a Wish List? The more your listing gets added to Guests Wish Lists, the more Airbnb will know that your listing has the potential to be booked, and the more they will show it to the top.
This really works!
Tip: Look for Facebook groups where members work together to Wishlist each other’s listings! You can get hundred of wishlist saves this way.
Send an email to your family, friends with a link to your listing, and ask them to add it to their Wishlist, which will help turbocharge your ranking on Airbnb!
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #6 – Make Sure your Listing is Complete
To help your Airbnb ranking, you need to make your listing complete in EVERY section of your listing. A complete listing will help Guests know what to expect from your space. If your missing sections your listing will be missing pieces of a puzzle.
Guests who are booking on Airbnb are in search of quality, accurate listings managed by responsive Hosts who will offer them amazing trip experiences.
Don’t leave missing puzzle pieces out.
Make sure you describe your space well and that your title and description are attractive and detailed. Clearly explain what makes your space unique, including any extra amenities you offer, proximity to attractions, etc. Quality photos are a must, In my Superhost Guide I teach you everything you need to know to take and edit your own photos.
Tip: If you have any expectations from your guests, make sure to lay them out in the House Rules of your listing. This way there will be no surprises for guests to catch them off guard.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #7 – Remove ‘Blocks’ from your listing
Having instant book on if a guest meets your criteria will keep you near the top of the search. If your listing has too many ‘blocks’ and rules before a guest can book, Airbnb will see your listing as too complicated for guests. Every additional barrier to booking lowers your potential booking rate. These ‘blocks’ are minimum night requirements, high cleaning fees, high-security deposits, and a strict refund policy.
The higher or more strict you set barriers, the higher the barrier to booking. You’ll need to think about each requirement you set and make sure you’re asking for the minimum amount to protect yourself. Make sure you are not overdoing it such that it impacts booking and your ranking.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #8 – Turn on Instant Book
This may sound scary, but you actually have more control and power to cancel a booking with Instant Book: penalty-free. If you feel uncomfortable that the guests will not follow the house rules, have bad reviews, or would bring extra guests for example- You simply call Airbnb and tell them you feel uncomfortable- those are the magic words.
Tip: Listings priced lower will get more bookings. No need to lowball your listing just have a clear idea of whether your listing is on the economy side or more luxury in your market, then price in the middle or slightly below the middle of that range and see if this increases bookings.
Airbnb Algorithm Search Tip #9– Have a Guest Welcome Book in your Rental
A Guest Welcome Book is essential for setting the tone for an awesome stay with you. When guests know what to expect (and how to work the T.v ) they are more likely to be at ease and relax in your place. You can mention any quirks your place may have (French doors lock only when the handle is up) add in tips about local restaurants and attractions and let them know the check-out time and process. If a guest can’t turn on the T.v or can’t find the Wifi code, they may become annoyed and it will show up in the reviews. Set out a clear and concise Welcome book and your guests will be less likely to message you with the same questions.
Airbnb Search Tip #10 – Keep Learning and Growing as a Host
I’m Andrea from MammaMode! I’m an Airbnb Ambassador, Superhost, STR blogger, and the creator of The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Bundle, the most comprehensive bundle for Hosts on Etsy. It has everything you need to look professional and stylish for your guests!
I also offer a Full Airbnb Listing Optimization Service! This audit is the perfect way for you to learn how to optimize your Airbnb listing, which works for you 24/7 to attract guests. Plus, you’ll get a strategic action plan to guide you as you make the changes to your listing.
If you have an Airbnb, but you want to stand-out, with a listing that is optimized for engagement & conversion…
– Stand out in a saturated market
– Rank higher in Airbnb search results
– Get more bookings, views, wishlist saves
– Understand exactly what you need to do to boost your listing!
– Grab guests’ attention with an engaging description
– Ensure your listing description contains all the right information!
– Transform your photo captions into descriptive stories that will drive bookings
Let me do a full audit of your listing click here!
