10 Mistakes that Affect Airbnb Search Results – Steps to Improve Your Positions Among Competitors in 2025

For every host who offers their accommodation on Airbnb, a good placement in the Airbnb search results is a must. Because that’s how you stand out from the crowd. In fact, it’s not easy to stand out among all the offers. According to Airbnb, there are already 8+ million listings worldwide (updated in June 2024) and more than 5 million hosts.

Airbnb hosts get many bookings, but to get them, it’s important to understand how the algorithms of the platform work. In this article, we’ll give you all the tips to gain more visibility on Airbnb through better positioning.

How Does the Airbnb Algorithm Work for Hosts?

The Airbnb algorithm depends on several factors (which we’ll look at in this article), and like all algorithms on the World Wide Web, this one will evolve to “take into account changes in our industry and technology both in our community and around the world.” In other words, there’s no silver bullet to know exactly what position you’ll rank on the platform, but there are some basic criteria that will greatly influence your vacation rental’s ranking:

Listing quality

The Airbnb algorithm evaluates the quality of the listing based on listing photos, reviews, listing features and amenities, information from support if they’ve been contacted about your listing, and the number of cancellations by the host.

Airbnb listing quality factors & optimization

Factor	Impact on ranking (scale: 1-5)	Why it matters	How to optimize
📸 Listing photos	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)	First feelings matter; high-quality photos increase bookings.	Use high-resolution images, proper lighting, and showcase all key areas (bedrooms, living room, kitchen, outdoor spaces).
⭐ Reviews & ratings	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)	Directly affects trust and search ranking; higher ratings attract more guests.	Ensure a smooth check-in, excellent contant, and spotless property. Politely ask happy guests to leave reviews.
🏠 Listing features & amenities	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)	More amenities = higher appeal; key for guest decision-making.	Keep amenities updated (Wi-Fi, kitchen, free parking, pet-friendly options). Pay attention to unique features (e.g., sea view, private pool).
❌ Host cancellations	⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)	If a host cancels frequently, lower ranking and trust in your listing.	Don’t cancel at the last minute. Keep an updated calendar and set a minimum notice period to prevent double-booking.
📞 Guest support interactions	⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)	If guests complain to Airbnb support, it signals potential issues.	Improve how you interact with guests and accuracy in the listing. Respond quickly to inquiries and resolve issues before they escalate.

Availability for bookings

Another important factor is the availability of properties. Airbnb highlights listings that have few spots blocked on the calendar and listings that accept instant bookings. For listings with booking requests, Airbnb takes into account how long it takes you to respond to requests and how often you accept bookings. Active, requested hosts have the upper hand here, which brings us to our next point.

Price in the area

Your position in Airbnb search results is also determined by the total price of your vacation rental and the attractiveness of the price, taking into account other similar listings, i.e., the competition in your area.

According to Airbnb, listings that offer a lower price than other similar listings in the same geographic region and have comparable room capacity and amenities tend to be preferred in search results. So, value for money is very important at Airbnb. Does this mean you automatically have to lower your prices? Not necessarily! Let’s look at all the criteria for better positioning before you sell your vacation rental cheaply.

Popularity among guests

When positioning listings, Airbnb also evaluates their popularity by taking into account the frequency of favorites, the booking rate, and the number of messages sent to the host. What is trending automatically ranks higher, too!

Location of accommodation

The location of the accommodation also influences the ranking, with preference given to accommodations near popular tourist attractions.

Factors affecting listing search results on Airbnb

Location factor	Why it influences	Adaptation
Proximity to tourist places	Listings near famous landmarks, beaches, or city centers rank higher and attract more guests.	Highlight walking distance to key spots, include local hotspots in your listing description, and use phrases like “5 min from…”.
Neighborhood popularity	Some areas are more in demand due to their safety, dining, and entertainment options.	Mention if the area is trendy, safe, or family-friendly. Include restaurants, cafes, parks, and nightlife spots nearby.
Accessibility & transport	Easy access to public transport and major roads increases booking likelihood.	List nearby bus stops, metro stations, and airport distance. Offer transport tips or airport pick-up services.
Scenic views & surroundings	A sea view, mountain backdrop, or quiet countryside can attract specific traveler types.	Use high-quality photos of the surroundings. Mention unique selling points like “Oceanfront stay” or “Mountain retreat”.
Nearby essentials (shops, hospitals, etc.)	Guests appreciate convenience – grocery stores, pharmacies, and emergency services nearby boost appeal.	List the closest supermarket, ATM, and hospital. Provide a local guide for guests.

Availability of Superhost status

The Airbnb algorithm takes into account the criteria for Superhost status, including the host’s cancellation rate, their responsiveness, ratings, and comments on their listings, and the Superhost status itself. Superhosts rank higher and are displayed as such. The same applies to guest favorites, who can also secure an extra badge and a place slightly higher in the Airbnb search results based on their performance.

10 Mistakes Airbnb Hosts Make
That Influence Search Results

Many Airbnb beginners rush into the rental business, then don’t see the results they had hoped for and give up very soon. The question that many hosts should, therefore, be asking themselves is: What am I doing wrong, and what is blocking the potential of my Airbnb listings in search results?

So, let’s take a closer look at the 10 most common mistakes Airbnb hosts make that you can perhaps learn from.

1. Incorrect information in the listing

Dishonesty and false information will lead to bad reviews. Your guests should be clear from the start what they can expect from your property. Inform them about the type and number of rooms you have (including details like bed size), your amenities and the benefits your property offers.

Don’t be afraid to set some rules and house rules too. For example, whether guests can bring visitors, whether pets are allowed, whether smoking is allowed in the apartment, etc. Remember, brevity is the soul of wit, because your potential guest wants to be informed quickly and accurately.

2. Uploading the wrong images

According to the National Retail Federation (USA), 67% of customers say that the quality of the image selection is very important when choosing a vacation rental, so make sure you use representative images so your potential customers can get an idea of ​​what to expect.

• Take high-resolution photos. They should be at least 1024 x 683px. If you’re not sure about the size, just set your camera settings to the largest photo size possible.
• Things to do and photos of the neighborhood. If one of the biggest selling points of your vacation rental is its location, your guests will also want to know what they can do in the area – think beautiful views, beaches, theme parks and tourist spots.
• Hide any clutter. Does the overflowing trash can really need to be in the photos? Instead, show your guests what they will really find when they arrive: cleanliness and order!
• Make sure the lighting is good. Turn on the lights or open the blinds to make sure your vacation rental looks bright and inviting!
• Write inspiring captions. Forget factual captions and instead describe the experiences your guests can have while staying with you! Instead of simply saying “balcony” as a caption, use “Relaxing on the balcony with a glass of wine after a long day of shopping and sightseeing!” That sounds much more inviting and increases your chances.

3. Not having a pricing strategy

Your pricing strategy should be based on the fluctuating demand for your property throughout the year. Adjust your prices based on:

• Competition. The first thing you should do when setting prices is to look at the prices of your direct competitors. Start with comparable properties in your area that have received good reviews. Analyze their prices and availability and create a spreadsheet to compare them and estimate the maximum annual revenue for your own listing.
• Special events. Festivals, marathons, trade shows… Special events like these can increase your demand enormously, meaning you can charge up to 5x more per day than usual. At the beginning of the year, find out about upcoming events and plan for them in advance. You can also increase prices a week before such events for people who are planning last minute – they are usually willing to dig deeper into their pockets!
• Weekdays vs. weekends. Hotels are fully aware of this fact: guests travel more frequently on weekends and prices should be a little higher to meet this demand.
• Seasonality. Adjust your prices to the high and low seasons in your region to maximize your revenue all year round.

4. Not taking advantage of reviews

Airbnb is based on customer trust and this is best built through guest reviews. As soon as you have the first reviews, you will notice that new bookings come in much faster.

When you receive reviews, you should always respond to them and try to use them to your advantage. Especially with negative reviews, it is important that you learn from every criticism and improve the way you rent out your Airbnb accommodation step by step.

So listen carefully and let your guests inspire you. Try to implement as much as possible and remember to always stay calm because: criticism is inevitable in the long run.

5. Not writing guest reviews

The other side of the coin when it comes to reviews is Airbnb guest reviews. Leaving reviews for your guests in return proves to future visitors that you are a proactive and committed host and that you care about your guests! This will give the best possible impression as a host to potential guests.

You can also use this to your advantage even further by adding a few sentences about your property, such as: “John and his daughter were great guests. You are always welcome back to my holiday home in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic.”

When John books another Airbnb, the host will look at her reviews and if they see that you have a house in Punta Cana, they may save it for later. This will then move your position further up the search results on Airbnb.

6. Put little emphasis on communication

For you, it may just be one of many bookings, but for your guest, their stay at your property is more meaningful. It’s quite possible that this is their only vacation of the year, or even in a long time, and they’re traveling from far away. For this reason, guests probably have a lot of questions and place particular importance on communicating with you as a host.

From the moment guests first contact you to when you leave your review of their stay, every step of the communication helps improve the guest experience. Show your guests that you value their satisfaction and that they are in good hands with you. The time you spend answering, the way you respond, and the completeness of your answers can be crucial for the guest’s satisfaction and the number of questions you are asked.

7. Underestimating the amount of work

When many people hear Airbnb, they mainly think of an attractive additional income and fail to consider how much work and organizational effort actually goes into renting out such a property. Of course, the effort increases the more accommodation you rent out, but even if you only offer an apartment or a single room, there are things you definitely have to deal with.

This includes cleanliness, the necessary basic equipment, managing arrival and departure, and everything that usually has to do with managing an apartment. If you underestimate this aspect and do not keep up with cleaning or regular communication, the stay will be below the standard the guest expects. This can significantly damage the reputation of your accommodation and lead to negative reviews and a drop in bookings.

8. Not finding out about the legal regulations in the region

With the increase in Airbnb accommodations, the legal situation in many countries has also become much stricter in order to regulate rentals via the platform. Some even have already introduced bans on misuse, which can cost Airbnb hosts heavy fines.

One mistake you should, therefore, definitely not make is not finding out about the legal regulations in the region of your accommodation. Find out whether you are even allowed to rent out for a short period of time, how many square meters can be rented to tourists and what permits you need to rent out.

These regulations can vary greatly from country to country and from city to city. So don’t rely on the fact that “everything is fine” just because you may have friends who rent out on Airbnb without any problems but are probably in another city.

9. Not taking security measures

Of course, trust between host and guest is a fundamental part of renting out on Airbnb. Nevertheless, you should take the necessary safety measures to protect not only your property but also the well-being of your guests.

• Even if you trust your guests, unfortunately, travelers sometimes take advantage of this trust. Therefore, you should first draw up a rental agreement and consider a rental deposit. You should also avoid leaving valuable items in your apartment.
• It is also advisable to draw up house rules and hand them over to the guest. The guests are then obliged to adhere to these rules (e.g. no smoking in the apartment, only a certain number of additional visitors, etc.), which gives you more security when renting.
• As a host, it is also your duty to ensure the safety of your guests. Some simple measures are already in place for this, such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, providing a first aid kit, and providing information about emergency numbers, just in case.

10. Relying on Airbnb alone

The last (and perhaps biggest) mistake hosts make and that, accordingly, influences a lot on search results on Airbnb is relying on this platform as the only source of income. Airbnb’s fees can be very high in the long run and it’s not unlikely that they will continue to rise over the years.

Vacation rental owners can save on commission fees by relying less on Airbnb and other large booking portals such as Vrbo or Booking.com. At the same time, this also allows you to become more self-sufficient and expand your business.

With the right attitude, know-how, and tools, you can take the helm, get your own direct bookings, and increase your profits! Start by creating your own vacation rental website for your vacation rental without worrying about the technical skills required. It’s much easier than most people think and allows you to build your rental business independently.

10 Steps to Rank Higher in Search Results on Airbnb

Now that you know how the Airbnb algorithm works, what mistakes to avoid, and what the main criteria are that play a role in the ranking, it’s time to get to the bottom of things and look at concrete tips on how to improve your positioning on Airbnb.

1. Update your listing

The first step to improving your positioning on Airbnb is to optimize your listing with complete information and a description that makes you want to book.

Put yourself in the shoes of your potential guests: what do they want? Above all, they want to find the right accommodation at the right price (which is also interesting for Airbnb) and probably get away from it all.

For this reason, it is very important that your listing (title and description) contains the keywords that your guests are likely to use in their search. For example, if you are targeting families, it might be a good idea to indicate this with a “child-friendly…” in the title or description.

• Make sure you offer the services and amenities guests are looking for, such as a stable internet connection, a dedicated workspace, self-check-in, etc.

The most important thing is that people who see the listing click on it and book frequently. The higher the conversion rate of your ad (how many people who click on your listing also make a reservation), the more the Airbnb algorithm will favor your vacation rental in the results, thus generating even more visitors. But what else is relevant to ensure that visitors who are browsing click on your listing? The images!

2. Don’t skimp on (quality) images

Make sure to use professional photos in your listing. This can not only improve your positioning, but also increase your conversion rate.

Travelers’ first impressions are largely based on photos, so you should make sure they are particularly good. The better your photos, the more likely you are to get clicks and, in turn, improve your ranking.

By the way… Don’t ask a friend to click on your listing 1,500 times: it’s useless because Airbnb only counts clicks from different users and that friend can’t book your Airbnb 1,500 times, so your conversion rate will only get worse…

Some warning signs of bad Airbnb photos that you should change:

• Dark photos without natural light
• Poorly cropped, slanted or incorrectly cropped images
• Poor quality or pixelated photos
• Such photos can discourage guests from booking and even make them feel like it’s a scam.

3. Accept reservations (as much as possible)

Your ranking will improve if you get guests to click on your listing frequently and then get those people to book.

It’s not enough to have an attractive listing with professional photos and an impeccable description. To achieve higher visibility once your accommodation is published, it’s necessary to get a significant number of reservations. The fewer bookings you accept, the more Airbnb will downgrade your listing.

4. Respond quickly

First come, first served: this also applies to Airbnb. Another aspect that you, as a host, can control to position yourself higher is how quickly you respond on Airbnb. This is not just about current guests but also inquiries.

Be available as much as possible to respond to messages. This will help you get more bookings and, in the best case, even become a superhost. Try to answer all questions and comments from your potential guests as quickly as possible. The algorithm measures both the number of responses – and the time it takes to answer the messages. If possible, do not let more than 24 hours pass before you give feedback to guests.

To avoid spending your valuable time manually responding to each message and repetitive questions, you can schedule messages automatically. There are also tools available to create personalized and tailored responses based on your booking and reservation data.

5. Enable ‘Instant Booking’

If you make booking easy and quick for your guests, you will also rank well in Airbnb results. Airbnb introduced Instant Booking in 2016 after years of only allowing booking via request. Many travelers and hosts now prefer this option.

Due to the success of this booking type and the speed, Airbnb encourages hosts who offer instant bookings. For this reason, listings with Instant Booking tend to rank higher in search results.

However, suppose you prefer to accept bookings in advance before confirming a reservation. In that case, you can still rank well in the results as long as you consider other factors important to the algorithm and respond quickly to requests.

6. Beware of cancellations

To appear at the top of the search results, you must strive to (almost) never reject reservations on Airbnb. If you accept instant bookings, you only have one month in which canceling a booking will cost you nothing. After one month, you will be charged a penalty every time you cancel a reservation (unless you have a compelling reason to do so).

If you choose bookings by request, however, you can basically cancel as many reservations as you want. However, keep in mind that the number of bookings you accept and the number of clicks on your listing are very important for your position in search results.

Airbnb’s cancellation policies for hosts

Cancellation policy type	Details	Penalties & consequences
Instant booking cancellations	Hosts can cancel a reservation penalty-free within the first 30 days of enabling Instant Booking.	After 30 days, cancellations may result in a penalty fee and reduced visibility in search.
Bookings by request cancellations	Hosts can decline reservation requests without penalty. However, once a booking is accepted, canceling can negatively affect ranking.	Frequent cancellations may lower the listing’s visibility and credibility.
Host-initiated cancellations	If a host cancels a confirmed booking, Airbnb may block dates on the calendar to prevent rebooking.	Potential automatic review on the listing noting the cancellation.
Penalty fees	Airbnb may charge a cancellation fee, deducted from future payouts, depending on when the cancellation occurs.	The fee varies ($50–$1,000), depending on how close the cancellation is to the check-in date.
Superhost status impact	To maintain Superhost status, a host must have a cancellation rate below 1%.	Frequent cancellations can lead to the loss of Superhost privileges.
Search ranking impact	Airbnb’s algorithm considers cancellations when ranking listings in search results.	Higher cancellation rates lead to lower placement in search results.
Guest refund policy	Guests are typically refunded in full if a host cancels their reservation.	Negative guest experiences can result in poor reviews and reduced future bookings.
Best practices to avoid cancellations	Keep your calendar updated, set clear house rules, and enable Instant Booking only if you’re confident in your availability.	Last-minute cancellations can hurt reputation and revenue.

The more reservations you cancel, the worse your ranking on Airbnb will be. To avoid customers being turned away and reservations being canceled, make sure you have a house rule with clear rules for guests. But again, you should be careful not to cancel accepted bookings after the fact.

7. Focus on positive reviews

The reviews you receive are crucial in your ranking on Airbnb, quantitatively and qualitatively. Ensure you are attentive to your guests to encourage positive feedback and thus improve your positioning on the platform. Positive reviews can easily lead to more bookings and build trust in future travelers. When a traveler searches for accommodation online, reviews are the third most crucial decision factor after the location and price of the property.

By responding promptly to your guests’ questions and concerns, you show your commitment to their satisfaction and well-being during their stay. Responding quickly to reviews can also directly impact your visibility and attractiveness on Airbnb.

8. Set competitive prices

Offering competitive prices is important to attract travelers and get your listing seen in the top search results. After all, the price of your accommodation is the most important deciding factor when customers compare offers. Sometimes, a small price adjustment is all it takes to get your ad to rank a little higher and appear in the top results.

• To easily create a pricing strategy and stay competitive, you can use tools like AirDNA. It analyzes market trends and similar offers so your prices are automatically updated and competitive.
• By adjusting your prices according to demand and the characteristics of your property, you can maximize your income and stay ahead of similar offers like yours!

9. Complete your profile

Your personal profile can be just as important as your vacation rental description. A completed profile with a description of yourself can help hosts choose between two similar properties. Airbnb has added the Host Passport feature to all private room listings precisely to get to know the host better. This additional information helps Airbnb guests feel safe and comfortable with their hosts before traveling.

The host pass is a tool that gives guests the most important information about the host and can be found in the listings in the room category. Guests can swipe up here to find out more about the host’s interests, reviews, languages, skills, work experience or other fun facts.

It is important to emphasize that this host pass is not simply intended to serve as a replacement for the host’s profile, it is intended to allow and motivate hosts to share more information about themselves. This then creates trust and a connection that allows guests to feel safer and connected with the host. This makes the visit much more pleasant. So it’s best to start right away and add a few details about yourself!

With complete profile information verified by the platform, you can gain the trust of your guests and improve the overall quality of your Airbnb listing.

10. Have an updated calendar

Airbnb also takes into account how often you update your calendar: prices, dates, etc. If you update your calendar frequently, you are less likely to reject reservations, and thus, you are more up-to-date and more interested in Airbnb.

It’s a good idea to update your calendar daily, even if you’re inactive on the platform for a while. Tools like an Airbnb channel manager can help you keep your calendar and bookings up to date without you having to worry about updating your calendar every day.

Airbnb listing updates frequency guide

Element	Recommended update frequency	Best practices
Photos	Every 6-12 months or after any renovation	Upload high-quality, well-lit images; highlight key amenities & seasonal decor
Pricing	Weekly or based on demand & seasonality	Use Airbnb’s Smart Pricing or manually adjust based on local events and trends
Description (with SEO)	Every 1-2 months	Optimize with trending keywords (e.g., “beachfront villa,” “family-friendly stay”); highlight nearby attractions
Amenities List	Every 3 months or after adding or upgrading items	Ensure all listed amenities are available; add recent upgrades
House rules	Every 6 months or if policies change	Adjust based on past guest feedback and evolving needs
Calendar	Daily (or use an automated tool)	Use an Airbnb channel manager if listing on multiple platforms
Promotions & discounts	Every 1-2 months or for special occasions	Offer early-bird, last-minute, or seasonal discounts
Reviews & guest feedback	After every stay (respond promptly)	Thank guests, address concerns, and highlight positive feedback

Additionally, if you rent your vacation rentals on multiple platforms, the channel manager allows you to sync your calendars and availability. You don’t have to worry about double bookings anymore! This way, you’ll have an always-updated calendar on all booking platforms.

In summary

Unfortunately, getting reservations on Airbnb doesn’t just mean putting your listing up in search results and waiting with your arms folded. You need to fill in and update all the information, listen to travelers’ needs, and respond quickly. If you’re not getting enough bookings and you notice that your competitors are many bookings ahead of you, you may need to revisit your listing and identify the weaknesses.

Frequently Asked Questions About
Automated Airbnb Messages

Updated on: 2025-02-20. Author: Mark Vasiliy Smetanin

Tags: Airbnb Airbnb Advertising Airbnb Marketing