Early access for Superhosts: custom Airbnb web addresses

[Airbnb]

Superhosts deserve web addresses that are as unique as their homes and hospitality. And soon, all Superhosts will be able to create a custom web address—an exclusive, easy-to-remember link that will help guests find their specific listings and make it easier to brand and promote their business. That’s right, no more lengthy web addresses that include random numbers and symbols (unless you prefer them, of course).

In the next couple of months, we’ll be introducing custom links to Superhosts. Superhosts will receive an email or a dashboard notification with a link to create their personalized web addresses.

Let’s brainstorm some ideas to make your link stand out. First, here’s what the new format will look like:

• airbnb.com/h/[your custom name]

Some web address examples:

• /french-alps-vacation-homes-and-cabins
• /babu-getaways
• /helens-homes
• /private-room-in-barcelona-city-center

Things to think about:

• What makes your space special?
• Is your space in a unique location?
• What makes your area or city one-of-a-kind?

Tips on making your custom link easier to read:

• Use lowercase letters
• Use hyphens, if you wish, but no other symbols or punctuation
• Keep it short: 100 characters or fewer is ideal
• Keep it private: don’t include contact information such as last names, email addresses, or phone numbers

Other points to keep in mind:

• Avoid the word “Airbnb” and any trademarks or brand names, unless you own them or are authorized to use them
• Steer clear of misleading information such as “verified” and “official,” and impersonations of another person, entity, or listing
• See our policy with more details on what is allowed

This feature was designed so Superhosts can create memorable web addresses, put them on business cards and in email signatures, and promote them on social media. In the coming months, all Superhosts will get access to this feature—thank you for providing hospitality as unique as your future web address.

*Superhosts are allowed one custom URL per listing. If at some point, you’re no longer a Superhost, you will be able to keep your custom web address. If your listing becomes deactivated, the custom URL is then available for another listing to claim. 

[Tyler232]

I do not remember my airbnb link to my listing. It's a random set of numbers and letters. I have to dig out the url anytime I wish to use it.

With this new feature, I expect I'll be able to just remember it. It's more meaningful to me and to the person who receives the url, that they can use it.

[Saul-And-Liz0]

Lyn, 

We are on the cusp of that "older" generation, but one thing I've found is that we encounter people asking about how to find our specific Airbnb. Whether through casual conversation it comes up, or others have heard that we have one, it's been a bit challenging  to explain how to find us once they're on the site and have typed in our town. 

This would make it so much easier to give them a direct link to find us on the airbnb website. We LOVE the idea! Can't wait to get one! Hope this helped you understand the relevance.

[Hector62]

Hello Lyn!  I find this very helpful because on many occasions, I’ve encounter situations when I’m asked for the link or business card and I can’t show or tell them about my link.  Just recently, I was at a entrepreneurial conference and while networking, I mentioned my hoisting.  A few people asked me for a business card, so I had to write down their emails in order to send them my link.  I’ve had other similar situations.  BTW, I’m an older host too.  

[Maria-and-Jean0]

Because that is the wonderful part of it.  You never know where your next listing will come from.   When I mention I run a BNB in Alaska I find that not the whole world knows about or what Airbnb is.   I don't know how many times people asked me for my card.  Now that I will have a custom link I plan on keeping some with me to pass out wherever I travel.  

I always refer them to Airbnb.com.  But then they are in a Sea of BNB's trying to find me.  I don't want to book direct.  The platform takes all the work of that and the Million Dollar policy brings both me and my Guest comfort at no additional cost.

As long as they keep the listing fee low then I will continue with this thought.

[Lori68]

Lyn - we have friends that want to share our link with their friends or family.  It's difficult to pass on airbnb.com/rooms/123456789.  It would be much easier to share airbnb.com/downtown-cottage-by-the-river

Hope that helps! 

[Janice132]

Lyn68, you can always add the link to your email signature, and in fact every piece of personal correspondence you send out. In this way it may just remind the reader of the property/service or it may become a referral from the recipient. It certainly can't hurt.

[Celeste89]

I also saw no reason to have a business card until I started having people ask for them when the fact that I own a vacation rental in a hot springs town came up in conversation!  While in Mexico for a month, while in Cali and even here in my own town of Truth or Consequences, NM!  I've gone through 250 of them in the past year and am about to order more.  Lots of these folks have never even used airbnb for lodging, so they would not have found it in an online search of airbnb listings either.

[Irene496]

Having an easy and meaningful link will also be great when you want to send the link to friends or family members. Right now, I have to go to my listing and copy the link. I'd much rather skip that step and just type in my link - such as https://Myhouse.airbnb.com

[Lin14]

You are right except it was already always a good idea to include the link to your listing in all correspondence....for the very reason that customers could easily get back to space they booked.

[Grace19]

So ~ is this something we an do now and where do we go to do it ? Thanks so much, Bright Young Thing 😉 ~ Grace

[Marc360]

Hi Lyn, to clarify even further with an example,  instead of our "Blue Turtle" listing being:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23166850

it could instead potentially be 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/BlueTurtleBarbados

which looks more professional and is easier to remember for both my wife and I as well as for prospective guests.

Say for example a friend of yours "Mary" knows someone from another country "Tom" who's coming to your area and Mary would like to show Tom your listing. Instead of Mary telling Tom to go search for it on Airbnb Mary can give Tom the https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/BlueTurtleBarbados link.

The link can also be used on social media.

The original https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23166850 link can also be used, but https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/BlueTurtleBarbados looks more professional and is easier to remember.

Hope this helps Lyn. 🙂

[Marie1552]

How did you change this already?!

[Howard58]

They haven't changed it yet...

They just made a cosmetic change to the presentation of the link by modifying the description of the link in order to make a point. If you hover over the link you will see that it still has the original link (random numbers) as the destination.

Hope that helps 🙂

[Donna184]

change  available starts 2019-08-28 

[JD29]

Hi Lyn, thank you! Actually I have saved your listing. I

❤❤❤ your place.

Mine for now is https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/26984304…

I am thinking of changing it to https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/Space Coast Hospitality

What do you think?

Thank you!

JD