Listings

[Robert-and-Janette0]

I have noticed recently that my listings are showing up further down in the search than they were previously.

Does anyone know how Airbnb decides which listing pops up first, or second, or last? Maybe newer hosts show up sooner? 

Janette Nason

[Sarah977]

@Robert-and-Janette0  It's some complex algorithm that none of us are privy to. Using Instant Book is the primary criteria for higher search placement (this is how Airbnb tries to pressure hosts to use IB, which I have never succumbed to).

After that, who knows. Some hosts say their listings move up if they fiddle with something every day, i.e. change some wording in the description, put up a new photo, change a price. It shows the bot that there is "activity" on the listing. But that has never seemed to work for me. In my case, I see my ranking move up when I get a booking. Then the algorithm apparently takes things like ratings, Superhost, pricing, declines, etc, into account.

[Robert-and-Janette0]

Thanks. We have five listings and all of them are much lower in the search than they used to be. I do see a lot more listings in my area though. And they seem to be further up in the search. We have been with Airbnb for 4 years now so I was thinking maybe the algorithm gives newer listings a better chance to book so that they can get established. But I really don't know. 

[Sarah977]

@Robert-and-Janette0  Yes, Airbnb definitely gives new listings a boost in search ranking for awhile, although I don't know how long that lasts. So that could very well be the case in your location.

I was thinking that even if we knew exactly what counts towards ranking and what weight each of those things were given, it wouldn't really help. Because then all hosts would do those things, but obviously not all listings can appear on page one no matter what you do. 

What I've always thought would be fair is to randomly shuffle listings on a daily basis, so everyone would get an equal shot at appearing first. 

The way it stands now, it can be a vicious circle- if you don't have high ranking, you'll have less visibility and less bookings. If occupancy rate figures into the rankings, which I have seen that it does, then it's hard to get your occupancy up if you're not particularly visible. 

[Robert-and-Janette0]

Thanks. Well I am definitely noticing a drop in bookings compared to the last two years. We had very high bookings and also very high reviews. We may have to fill in with another company.