Sound Familiar?
Pesky Problem
The Airbnb algorithm thinks your listing is stale.
Airbnb’s search algorithm, like that of so many tech companies these days, is basically a black box. We can’t look inside and see how the thing actually works. From the outside, the best we can do is listen very carefully to how the company itself talks about how their search algorithm works. And if you keep your ear to the ground, you’ll hear Airbnb give the same advice again and again: keep your listing up-to-date.
The only problem is you haven’t made an update to your listing in…wait that can’t be right…has it really been…years? Yup. It happens to hosts all the time. Time flies when you’re having fun (and doing laundry and making beds and booking new reservations and responding to guests and… and… and.)
Let's Try This
Bite-Size Solution
Routinely update your listing to demonstrate engagement.
The most ironic part of the stale listing problem is that while hosts have neglected their online Airbnb listing, they haven’t actually neglected their space or their guests. In fact, sometimes the most dedicated hosts are so busy focusing on creating an exceptional experience for their guests that they convince themselves they just don’t have any time left for marketing.
But without a listing that accurately reflects all the incredible improvements you’ve made to the space itself over the years, you’re leaving money on the table. Potential guests don’t realize that your space is actually better than your photos and Airbnb’s search algorithm sees a listing that looks unattended at best, abandoned at worst.
The solution is to follow Airbnb’s own advice and regularly update your listing. As we move into this new season, it’s the perfect time to pull up your listing and do an update sweep. Delete outdated information and spruce up your listing with fresh pictures, a revised amenity list, and a polished description inviting potential guests to book your place.
5 Minutes
Here's Your First Step
Start by adding just one new photo to your listing each week for a month.
If a full listing update sounds overwhelming, let’s start with a simple experiment. Add a single new photo to your listing each week for a month. This might feature something seasonal or highlight a new amenity you’ve added to the space. We’ve had several hosts in the Big Heart Hosting community say that this simple tactic has helped improve their Airbnb rankings by signaling to the algorithm that their listing is alive and well.
Most importantly, this is a fantastic way to kickstart the habit of routinely updating your online listing, just like Airbnbs says it wants all hosts to do. A weekly tweak, a monthly update, or a quarterly sweep might be just the ticket to the higher Airbnb rankings your place deserves.
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