Listing not appearing

[Helen31]

Hi all!

I am the only Airbnb host in our tiny village in the UK (thats why I know I'm the only one!)

Despite being a superhost for 10 years, I have just discovered my listing does not appear if you simply type in the name of the village "Chrishall"!  I have not typed in any dates or person/ pet requirements. Other villages over 30 miles away appear by the truck load, but not mine! I have just searched through every single page. I do not appear anywhere at all on any page.

Can anyone explain why this might be?

Many thanks

Helen

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Helen31 there are two listings in Chrishall. Anyway  when I type it in you don't show until I zoom the map in slightly. This is just a function of the Airbnb mysterious algorithm.

[Helen31]

Thank you for this. The two listings you see are actually the pub (and I don't really count these as proper Airbnb's - it's just a pub with rooms.) 

It does not detract from the fact that my listing is not (at the moment) showing up AT ALL. I just don't understand why. I've always been fully booked - ever since I started, so it makes no sense.

😟

[Robin4]

@Helen31 

Hi Helen, when I looked at your listing via your profile your calendar shows it as being unavailable for booking until December 2023 and you have a 30 night minimum reservation requirement!

This is going to virtually take you out of public visibility.

The algorithm that governs search placement responds to activity and if you property is unavailable for a short term booking, it will not be promoted in an area search. 

On doing a general area search, your property comes up in number 1 position out of 116 properties.....but, only if I put in 1 month stay dates.

If I try to enter any less than 30 nights you do not come up no matter how much I zoomed in on the Chrishall  area........

I am afraid the algorithm is simply responding to your booking settings Helen. You can't ask any more of it than that!

Cheers........Rob

[Helen31]

Hi Rob

Thank you so much for taking time to reply.

Because of the nature of who I am trying to attract (families between house moves/ families who have sold their house but not yet found/ families who have had to move out their house for building renovations etc. etc - none of them wanting to sign up to a 12 month tenancy agreement), I purposely put my settings at a minimum of 30 days, price very competitively and it works brilliantly for me. I am fully booked 98% of the time and have been for the past 4yrs. I have often had six or seven families wanting the property at the same time and because I choose not to turn on instant book I can choose the most suitable family for our home.

I just couldn't imagine how any of them could possibly have found me after I did a spot check on where I came in the rankings and found no evidence I even existed! Maybe they've all put in the exact dates which are usually between one and six months and that's when I come up.

Anyway, thank you very much. You have helped to solve the mystery!

Helen

[Robin4 · Accepted solution]

@Helen31 

Hi Helen, I wasn't trying to have a go at you, and I know you understand that. I was just explaining the mechanics of the Airbnb booking system.

I first did a search to verify what you were saying, and sure enough, you are not visible.....as you say, only 2 listings show up in your area, and you are not one of those.

But as soon as I put in a 34 evening stay duration, bingo, you popped up in number one position of the 120 odd listings in your area.

So you are certainly visible Helen, more than just visible, you have pole position. But, you are only visible to guests who search for 30 nights + ........and I hope you can understand that.

You are visible to the guest pool you want to attract so I think Airbnb do deserve a tick for that.......you won't get nuisance enquiries!

I only bought into this because from your OP you gave the impression that there was a blanket absence of your listing from the platform but alas, it's working precisely the way it should!

I wish you continued success with your hosting, I am trying to think of a way to make your 30 night minimum listing visible in a general short term search.....if I come up with anything I will post it here or send you a DM.

Cheers.........Rob 

[Helen31]

Many thanks - and I never thought you were having a go 😊

Helen