Decoding Airbnb Algorithms: How to Improve Search Visibility - Airbnb Host Guide 2023

It's no secret that your Airbnb search ranking plays a critical role in boosting bookings and earnings for your vacation rentals. However, the path to enhancing your Airbnb search visibility, ensuring your properties appear on the highly-coveted first page, can be a bit mysterious.

While factors like your property's location and Airbnb's personalized settings are beyond your control, this article is here to demystify the process and provide you with actionable strategies to elevate your ranking and optimize your occupancy rates.

How can I increase my listing’s visibility in Airbnb’s search results?

To rise in Airbnb's search results and secure better visibility, you need to improve your Airbnb SEO to snag a spot on the first or second page. Airbnb's search algorithm is designed to match guests' searches with the most suitable properties. Because Airbnb profits from every booking, they're motivated to ensure that searchers quickly find their dream accommodations, while property managers are connected with the right guests.

How Can I Rank Higher on Airbnb?

Over 100 factors influence your property's ranking in Airbnb's algorithm. While many specifics remain confidential, Airbnb has shared some SEO ranking factors within your control. Here’s some official info on how Airbnb search works.

New Listings

When you upload a new listing to your Airbnb portfolio, you instantly receive a boost in search results. This is especially beneficial for new hosts who are establishing themselves in the market without prior ratings. If you're a property manager looking to expand your portfolio, make the most of this advantage. It’s not certain how long this “free boost” actually lasts, but gossip on Airbnb host groups mentioned time between 2 weeks and 1 month.

Craft a Comprehensive Host Profile

Although Airbnb hasn't officially confirmed profile completeness as a ranking factor, a host profile that's fully fleshed out appears authentic and reliable. And who knows, it may also help you rank higher!

To build a robust Airbnb profile, focus on:

Verifications: Having multiple forms of identity verification enhances your credibility.

Description: A personalised and engaging description about yourself adds appeal.

Profile photo: A recent, clear profile photo helps guests identify you upon arrival.

Optimise Your Listing Title

A compelling listing title that highlights your property's best features can boost traffic and engagement. Popularity is a crucial ranking factor for Airbnb's search algorithm. Optimize your title by emphasizing nearby attractions, such as mentioning the specific area where your property is located. For example, consider "Tranquil apartment near the Stratford Park."

Reduce Rejections and Cancellations

Decreasing rejections and cancellations improves your chances of achieving a higher ranking. Airbnb SEO prioritizes Superhost criteria, which include maintaining a low cancellation rate and minimising rejections. This also aligns with providing exceptional customer service and can lead to repeat bookings.

Accelerate Your Response Time

Airbnb's algorithm takes into account your response speed. The quicker you respond to inquiries, the higher your listing climbs in search results. Two crucial response metrics are the response rate and response time. Enhancing both can also help you achieve Superhost status.

Trim the Minimum Stay Length

Decreasing or removing your minimum stay length broadens your listing's visibility, particularly for guests seeking short-term rentals. This is particularly useful if you usually cater to long-term stays and encounter gaps between bookings. Adjusting your minimum and maximum stay lengths can be accomplished using Airbnb's provided instructions.

Cracking the code of Airbnb algorithms is the ultimate strategy for elevating your visibility and occupancy rates. By focusing on new listings, optimizing your profile, title, and response speed, minimizing rejections and cancellations, and adjusting minimum stay lengths, you can significantly impact your search ranking.

About Us

KeyNest offers you a convenient service for storing and exchanging your property keys. You can drop off a key at any of the 5,000+ locations in our network, so there’s one such Point located next to your property already.

Guests, cleaners or contractors can then collect the key securely from a KeyNest Point, which is usually open 24/7. You'll be notified each time the key is picked up or returned, and you can even customize check-in and check-out times.

KeyNest has an ever-expanding global network of locations located just minutes from your property. To find out more, visit our website: https://keynest.com/