My vacancy rate skyrocketed since new airbnb platform- with one of my listings not showing in search results while airbnb is choosing the worst of my photos to showcase my listing

[Simon3615]

So I have been in conversation with airbnb for months

- this new airbnb platform stinks

- first my listings were not even showing in search results

- then once I realised that they started showing but at the bottom of all search results and only showing when you zoomed right into the map

- the photos I selected for each listing and there order are being completely ignored by airbnb that are choosing the worst pics to showcase my listing- like literally the worst. This is so bad I have started deleting any photos of my place that aren’t awesome to stop airbnb from selecting them- example they would show a picture of a corner of a balcony instead of showing the lovely bedroom. 

anyone having serious issues with airbnb with this new platform that kicked off a few months ago now?

ia m thinking to leave airbnb as a host as now my vacancy is down to 5-10% ie I am getting one 2 day booking a month- it’s crazy bad

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Simon3615 Every time Airbnb updates its platform it appears that successful listings lose out. I assume others though benefit from the changes. Perhaps consider listing on other platforms as well as Airbnb?

[Joan2709]

@Simon3615 

Just a few thoughts...

Photos

I would add a lot more photos and suggest either getting professional photos, or having a friend who is good at taking mobile phone photos redo your photos. The photos are very dark and probably not showing off your listings like they could. Having good quality photos is one of things the search algorithm uses to rank your listings. Not having quality photos will guarantee you will be pushed down in search rank. Please add captions to all photos and if you have an amenity, you need a photo of it with a caption on that photo.

Cover Photo

For some reason, Airbnb insists they know better and chooses the cover photo for listings that are Rooms. Mostly they choose a bedroom photo. To get around this, delete the photo they are showing a the cover (you can add it back later). Then choose the photo you want and make it the cover photo. You'll have to keep checking your listing using incognito mode as a guest once you do this, as Airbnb must have a bot that continues to insist they need to choose the cover photo. Just repeat the process.

Number 2 photo

I would add your beach scene as the number 2 photo