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. 

[Ruth509]

Thanks Airbnb!👌

[Lyn68]

Since most replies seem to favour this innovation, without fear of looking daft beng an older host, could one of you Bright Young Things please explain why this is advantageous as I don't know how this works? Thanks in advance from a Bright Older Thing!  Lyn

[Emma & Mark]

Lyn, it makes the link to your listing more meaningful... making it easier for guests to find your listing, your link will be easier to remember as it isn't some random letters and will look much better on a business card, again as the link contains your business name and not random numbers/letters.

[Lyn68]

Thanks for trying to explain but I still don't see the relevance. Surely the only ' link' to my listing is through the homesite of Airbnb when a prospective guest searches my area on their website? Why would I have a business card when my bookings come from an online  'host' platform covering the whole world? It's not as if I need business cards to hand out at the local railway station to canvass business is it? 

[Lyn68]

Maybe it's something that airbnb should cover so that hosts less media-savvy can understand as their newsletter certainly didn't cover it for the likes of me.

[Craig112]

Hi Lyn,

If I want to mail the link to my property listed on Airbnb, it is:

https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F18315089%3Fguests%3D2%26adults%3...

What Airbnb is offering is to allow me to create a more concise and meaningful link. Something like:

https://airbnb.com/h/DuckHouseBalboaIsland

Both of these links would take you to my property on Airbnb. Or potential guests will find you property by searching Airbnb as they do now.

One benefit for me will be to have business cards printed up and now I can list the web address on the card. It is a cool alternative and doesn't change anything.

[Megan507]

However, then you wouldn't have the option of what they use for the link?...

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@Lyn68 wrote:

Maybe it's something that airbnb should cover so that hosts less media-savvy can understand as their newsletter certainly didn't cover it for the likes of me.

---

[Simon1955]

What if you want people to come back to your place next year? Having a crd they can take when they visit and a meaningful name will make it easier. They could also recommend your place more easily.

Additionally some do other things to get traffic directly to their listing ... not just hope someone stumbles on it with a search.

There are also other benefits if you plan to treat it as a business that are beyond the scope of a quick reply.

Suffice it to say  for those that promote more than placing it on the platform it has some pretty hefty benefits.

[Michael3670]

I probably will add them in WhatsApp/facebook etc

[Linda1187]

If you want to promote your listing other than through airbnb it is relevent.

My apartment is next to a major Boston area university.  I network with university professionals.

[Linda1187]

Handing out a business card with my airbnb link (that has a cool catchy name) is useful.

Same thing with facebook...lots of folks in my parents' group regularly look for places when visiting family are coming.

The current link consists of a bunch of random letters and numbers.  A new link with a title that is cool and catch is helpful and easy to remember.

[Megan507]

Lyn, I understand where you are coming from, but say you have a friend that wants to find your  listing on airbnb, it can be a little tedious combing through, especiallyif it is booked a lot - it may not show up, but imagine if you had an easy address to convey on the spot without having to go to your app send it, etc.  Plus! This will be very helpful if you are trying to maximize your listing potential beyond the advertisement that airbnb provides. 

[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

[Marc361]

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. :)