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. 

[Donald87]

Lyn, having a unique URL will allow you to quickly share and identify your property outside the standard listing on AirBNB.com.  This makes things as personalized as your home is to your guests. 

[Juliet-And-Ed0]

Dear Lyn68, I am a "bright older thing" to (68 years old) and I made business cards for our listing some years ago. You ask "Why would I have a business card when my bookings come from an online host platform....."?  Here's why. Here's what I do with mine: First of all, I leave two of them in the guest bedroom for every guest, and in the "welcome letter" that I leave in the room, it says "Please take a couple of our cards, one for you and one for a friend". People usually take them. I also give them out to all kinds of people, when the occasion arises (for example, when on vacation somewhere, and people ask about my hometown). And finally, I give them to various local businesses. For example: we are near a Yoga studio, and people sometimes come to do a Yoga "retreat". I have given a few cards to the studio, just in case someone from out of town asks them about a nice place to stay that's nearby.  So, if your business card says "airbnb.com/Lyn'shouse" for example, that's much easier for someone to remember than "airbnb.com/48204726" 

[Lizzie]

Hello @Lyn68,

Thank you for asking this question about exactly why this will be useful, I'm am sure you are not the only person with this question and so is is great to see all the fantatic responses and personal reasons from other hosts here on why they are looking forward to having this.

I also think it will be one of those tools which you will see the benefits once you have it in place, as well. 🙂

I wasn't sure if you saw the later responses here, so I wanted to mention you here again. 

I hope this helps and you look forward to adding your personality to yours. 

Thanks,

Lizzie

[Lyn68]

Hello Lizzie in London,

Thanks for alerting me to responses and thanks to all those who posted responses. Understand better now, perhaps something to take on board, always willing to try new things and learn, especially technology. I have been fortunate to have level of stays suiting target during summers when  I host but will tweak as one should never sit on one's laurels.  Best wishes to you all from a Bright Old Thing!  Lyn

[Rose261]

 As far as I can tell, the advantage is that it makes your specific web name easier to search for potential guests. For example if your website was airbnb.com/h/poolhouse: you can tell an acquaintance "check out my listing on Airbnb! All you have to do is google: airbnb poolhouse and you can see my listing!" It just makes it more searchable when you can create a web name that is meaningful rather than a generic name

[Alyce3]

Hi Lyn,

I am a "silver-hair" host. I use business cards. There are many coffee shops, restaurants, health food store that have business card boards. I have placed them there in case there are locals who are inviting family and friends.

I also include my business card in a thank you note to each reservation guest upon their departure. It is one more way I hope it will get passed on to friends and family they know.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Alyce

Hotel-quality, Two-bedroom Suite...Welcome Home

[Young37]

If you have have to tell someone about your apartment, which would be easier:

1. "Just go to https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24670819"
2. "Just go to airbnb.com/nyc-lynns-apartment"

[An-Exclusive-Estate-In-C0]

Ultimate reason why a custom web address for your listing is great... I just mentioned to an extremely frequent Airbnb Guest that Superhosts will soon be able to provide a custom URL.
Airbnb Guest immediate response: "Oh that's a great perk, that will make it easier to find a listing because it's very difficult and annoying to find a listing by name..."

[Cathy50]

I love this!!  I never could remember the "numbers". It would be so easy to say my own personal name of my choice. I do have business cards as well. You'd be surprised when it comes up in conversation and I can just hand someone a card. I leave them in the home as well for people to take for a future trip or to give to friends. 

I finally learned to save my "link" in my phone and be able to text it or email it to someone, but this is a great option. 

[Cheryl-and-Chris-Hosts-W0]

Hi Lyn, in this crazy world of searching for things on the internet, this is an opportunity to express a word/phrase that they hope will help us connect with like minded others. So we will have a customized web address that will hopefully do that.

[Kaya-And-Wayne0]

If you meet someone somewhere and they want to find your airbnb  listing your own url is much easier and fewer numbers. The link will go to your airbnb page just like it does now but easier for people to remember especially if its simple.  Of course it can also work for marketing as whatever you use might be a phrase people who are searching- will write in Google. 

[John143]

Dear Lyn.  This allows you to list on your website, Facebook page, Twitter page or printed material an domain name (like a home address) to point to your listing.  Also search engines will more likely include your domain name listing if your name describes where and what you rent.  For instance a rental in Yosemite could be named minihome-in-yosemite which would be easy to find and for return guests to remember.  

I hope this helps

[Nancy458]

Hello lyn: i think giving your property a clear simple name makes it easier for friends of friends to find. You an also post on social media. Younger travelers often use search terms (new york manhatten) so you can customize the name to include those search words and make it easiercto find. Have you ever gone on airbnb and pretended to search in your area? It is revealing.

[Dan322]

Dear Lynn68:   I am a member of your club.  I have been an AirBnb host for three years and I didn’t know I had a link or where to find it.  I know when you click on a link it takes you to another site, but that was the extent of my knowledge.  This email chain has enlightened me.  Dan, the missing link. 

[Angie29]

Hi Lyn,

This is from Craig who answered you bellow but just in case you missed it I copied and pasted his explanation for you.  The link will have the name of the property and not just a bunch of numbers and symbols and what for...  A lot shorter and more meaningful I guess.  I mean, just check the difference between the 2 links.  Makes sense to use the second link to email to someone. 

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

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@Lyn68 wrote:

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

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