Austin Listing Feedback

[Erik2523]

Hello. I recently launched 2 listings for a duplex and am not getting as many bookings as I'm expecting. I'm hosting 5 other properties, and 2 of my own, which are all performing well, so this is a bit of a head scratcher for me. The duplex is in a prime location, and fully renovated. When searching as a traveler, our pricing looks competitive (but maybe not?), but we aren't showing up on even the first 3 pages which is a first for me. 

Thanks for any insight!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1366281908035688925?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=bdc0a456-13e...

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1366274656817399786?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=d3201bc9-6d6...

[Joan2709]

@Erik2523 

Just a heads up....Hosts are reporting they are not getting the New listing boost for the first 4weeks as they should from Airbnb. When did you publish the listing? I would contact Airbnb on that and if your listing was published within the last 4wks, I would ask why you are not receiving the New listing boost in search results. I did a search as well and didn't see your listings.

It might be related to the whole Category shakeup. You can no longer use a category filter when searching by location and that includes the "New" category. This could be why you are not getting the boost in search results.

Some minor things...

I would add captions to your photos and also add some photos of the local nightlife/activities in the area since you say it is walkable to all the restaurants and bars. I would also add King Beds to your Title. If you need more room in the Title I think the King Beds would probably generate more interest thant the word NEW (guests can see the New in the subtitle) and/or remove the word modern (guests can see it's modern decor from the photos).

[Erik2523]

Thank you, great idea! I will go through and add captions. We launched just under 4 weeks ago, so I'll check on the boost too. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. 

[Alex]

Hi @Erik2523!

Thank you for asking for advice in the Community! 😄

I'm going to tag to some hosts that I'm sure they will love to help you: @Maisie1, @Ms--Iffat0, @Ruth290, @Kate-And-Mitch0, @Rudolf103 and @Ranveer1.

Hope we can help you with great advice! 🤗

Best, 

Alex

[Ranveer1]

Hello @Erik2523 ,

Your 6-year hosting journey is impressive! I had a look at both of your listings, great work on the photos, and being just a 12-minute walk to the lake is a fantastic selling point.

There are just a couple of small suggestions I’d like to share.

First, there’s no need to include “New” in your listing title, Airbnb highlights that automatically, so guests will already see it.

Also, keep an eye on seasonal demand and consider adjusting your prices accordingly. Custom promotions can be a great tool to offer targeted discounts and boost bookings during slower periods.

Hope this helps, and wishing you continued success with hosting!

[Marie8425]

@Erik2523 

Both listings look great and your Host rating is great.  

Check the Insights for your ads.  I know I have seen recently Airbnb not giving the proper New Listing Boost.

Maybe?

If you are getting first page Displays are you enticing Guests to click?

If they are clicking is the ad description not convincing them to buy?

[Dave52]

@Marie8425  @Joan2709 

Maybe it's a bug or maybe they removed or de emphasize new listing boost in some areas?  If there are too many listings already in a market, why favor new listings at the expense of existing listings and cannibalize their own market?  It made sense when they needed to jumpstart every new listing to grow their market share.  Hosts now face over saturation in listings which doesn't help anybody. In my opinion, Guest Favorite with the Trophy should be biggest boost of anything bc guests are going be most happy staying and give the airbnb brand best reputation.

[Erik2523]

Thank you for taking the time to help! Can you clarify what you mean by the Ads under Insights? Is that where I can see the New Listing Boost somewhere?

[Belle2714]

Hi @Erik2523 , I don't know if you already got this resolved, but I did a search for a unit sleeping 4, in Austin, TX for May 2-4. Your listing was the first to appear. 

By the way, I thunk your listings look great! 

 

[Belle2714]

I took a second look at the other options and noticed there is a substantial difference in the prices of the other listings that showed up on the same page. This could be a deciding factor and definately contribute to the lower bookings.  Have you tried lowering the price a bit and/or offering discounts to make it more appealing?

[Erik2523]

Thank you so much for the help!

The downstairs is 1 bed so I have the upstairs listed as more expensive since it has 2 beds. Would you suggest lowering it even further as most travelers looking for a smaller unit may not care for the extra room... I want to get some occupancy but am playing the game of how cheap to go before making the unit itself appear to be low quality. Very open to feedback about this too, since I may be overthinking and just need to lower the price. Thanks again!

[Joan2709]

@Erik2523 

I would lower the price until you get at least 5-10 reviews. Right now you need bookings, so take a short term hit on price to get them.

I did an incognito search and still didn't see your listings appear in the first 9pages? Have you contacted Airbnb to see if you still qualify for the New boost in search results? If you don't qualify any more, then the best way to boost your rank is to lower the price.