How to get rental classified correctly through Elevate

[Todd682]

Hi!

We are new to the world of Airbnb hosting and we are trying to get our rental property categorized through Elevate. Our rental is an A-frame situated on the Rock River with a walk-out basement. We built the house using a company that specializes in A-Frame trusses (30ft high). However, every time we attempt to select the "A-frame" designation on the Elevate page, we are rejected with no explanation. We've attempted this twice with no success and we even tried to call numerous customer Airbnb service agents. We'd really appreciate any guidance on this issue. Thank you! 🙂

[Helen3]

Who are Elevate and how are they connected to Airbnb @Todd682 

what did Elevate customer services say when you contacted them about the issue you are experiencing with them? 

[Todd682]

Hi Helen,

My understanding is that Elevate is an arm of Airbnb that manages property classifications. Unfortunately, there's no direct customer service for this department. Conventional customer service agents are not able to tranfer you to them either.

Here is their site:

https://elevate.translated.com/categories

Best,

Todd

[Marie8425]

@Todd682 

Outstanding property!!

Don't know if this will help but we identified a possible remedy for someone to take hotel out of their description because your dealing with a computer,

Maybe sprinkling A-frame in your description the computer might give you a chance?

[Todd682]

Hi Marie! Thank you so much! That's great advice! I will give that a shot and see if it works next time. Unfortunately, Elevate makes you wait 30 days before you can try again.

[Karen4131]

Hi @Todd682 

I struggled from May to September to get the Lake Front category added to my listing, even though the house is 40 meters from the lake. A seemingly simple task, just like your A-house.

Naturally, I applied via Elevate, but it stalled and wasn’t rejected or approved for a long time. I called many times and spoke to lovely people at Airbnb, who advised patience. I also used the help panel and sent emails.

Eventually, as a test, I requested a few irrelevant categories, and when those were rejected, my Lake Front category was approved. It seemed like the system ‘clicked’ or a human finally saw the logic.

Just an unconventional idea for drawing attention to your application.

Best regards

Karen

[Todd682]

Thank you, Karen! 🙂 I tried doing the same but, unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I will try that again once the cateogory is available in a month to see if I have better luck.

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Todd682 

Luv your place! 👍

Here is what has worked for the clients/Hosts that I consult with who wanted me to optimize their listings. Not sure it will work for you, but worth a try. 

Location

The algorithm for assigning categories uses different data sets in different areas on the listing. As you might suspect, information about your location  found in the Location Section in the Listing Editor, is key to getting your listing recognized in a specific Category. I review every section of the Location card on the listing for my clients. This section is often overlooked by new Hosts. I use words specific to the category they qualify for and am usually successful in getting them approved for the appropriate categories. The algorithm (I'm told) also looks at photos and other sections of the listing to "mine" information.

Missing Info On Your Listing Under Location

I noticed your listing is missing some important information under the Location section/card? Your listing is not showing you have entered information in this section?  I would update this section ASAP and then apply again for the categories you want.  I would use the word "A-Frame" especially in the Neighborhood Description Section. Something like:

"our new A-Frame is located on the Rock River in a quiet, rural area..."

- Go to Listing Editor

- Click Location Card

- Add Info to each section that appears on the right side

Location Features

waterfront

beachfront (if applies)

Neighborhood Description

..."Our new A-Frame cabin is on XXacres right on the Rock River.....

Scenic Views

River View

Getting Around

Do guests need a car? Are the roads to your listing paved or dirt? Is the listing easily accessible even in winter? Do guests need a 4-wheel drive in winter to access property?

Exact Location

Since you are right on the River, I always suggest Hosts use Exact Location instead of General Location when close to water (ocean, river, canal, lake). However, be sure to turn on Address Privacy when using Exact Location so guests won't have access to your actual address until the free cancellation period has expired.

Let us know how it goes 😊

[Todd682]

Hi Joan! 

Wow! This is extremely detailed and helpful information! Thank you so much! 🙂

I have applied all these changes to my listing. I will keep you posted on the impact.  I believe it'll take 1 month for the "A-Frame" category to become available again in Elevate. I will try again then.

[Joan2709]

@Todd682 

Great job!  Your place is awesome! Just a few suggestions about your photos (even though you didn't ask 🙂)

Market Research on Photos

Real Estate photos generally aim to show all the spaces in the home. Airbnb photos are different and are designed to help the guest envision what guests can do in the space. The goal is to show "active" spaces so they can see themselves using the spaces and evokes an emotion of comfy, cozy and fun. 

Showing a firepit on a deck (no fire going) is showing a "dead" inactive space. Taking a photo of the same firepit at twilight with a fire going and some glasses of wine and even some marshmallows on a BBQ skewer ready to be toasted is even better! Showing a BBQ with the lid closed and the cover on it doesn't help guests envision themselves using it. Showing the same BBQ with the cover off, lid open and BBQ tools ready to go enables guests to see themselves using the BBQ on the deck (you get the idea 🙂)

Cover Photo

Your cover photo is especially important. Even though the one you are using is fine, it doesn't show all the fantastic features guests would love on the other side of the house (double decks, hot tub, fire pit, large windows, sauna). I suggest you use the photo below as your cover photo for now. It would be even better if you retake it at twilight. Take the cover off the hot tub and have it running, have a fire going in the fire pit. Turn on all the lights inside and outside (string lights on). If there are lights inside the sauna turn them on too. Wait until about 45 minutes before sunset (not too dark) and reshoot. This would make a "killer" cover photo. Market research shows that twilight, exterior photos do very well on Airbnb.

Make this your cover photo for now - reshoot at twilight

Firepits & Fireplaces

Photos of firepits and fireplaces should always include a twilight photo with a fire going. Reshoot the fire pit photo at twilight and retake the living room photo with fire going in fireplace.