November Bookings Low?

[Alissa-and-Jeff0]

Hi Airbnb Community.  
I am wondering whether other hosts are seeing a significant drop in bookings for November. My Airbnbs are usually very full, but I barely even have weekends booked for November, which is VERY unusual for us. I am wondering if other hosts are having a similar experience. Is it the economy, or did the algorithm change to shift how many bookings I am getting? 

I look forward to hearing from other hosts.

Best,

Alissa

[Akshatha0 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Alissa-and-Jeff0 ,

Yes, several hosts have mentioned seeing a dip in bookings this month, so you’re definitely not alone.

There are a few factors that could be contributing:
• Seasonality - November is a slower travel month in many areas.
• Airbnb’s algorithm adjustments - new listings or highly active ones sometimes get a temporary visibility boost, so if you’ve been full for a while, your listing may simply be shown a bit less often.
• Market competition - more hosts have joined this year, which spreads out the demand.

One thing that can help is a quick refresh of your listing (updating a photo, adjusting the first line of your description, or tweaking the title) - Airbnb’s system often re-indexes listings after updates.

Hope that helps a bit, and it’s great that you’re keeping an eye on patterns ,that’s what good hosts do 😊

---

[Elisa]

Hi @Alissa-and-Jeff0 😊, 

I’m sorry to hear about this slow period.

Have you been able to double-check with hosts from your area?
If you’re willing, I suggest connecting with them through our 👉 Local Host Clubs.

Let me know how it goes!

[Alissa-and-Jeff0]

Thank you @Elisa !  

[Heather2178]

@Alissa-and-Jeff0 , I totally agree, very very big dip in rentals, like you said especially on the weekends. Seems like a huge drop and this like you said is VERY unusual for us as well. 

[Jessica4225]

Yes. I have seen a drop in Myrtle beach area . 

[Jules269]

Yes. It’s odd we’re always booked up especially at weekends, despite the time of year. But from mid October it dropped off a cliff. I’m getting some last minute bookings but I’m having to advertise on Facebook etc to promote which I don’t usually have to do. 
I heard someone say they thought Airbnb had change an algorithm or similar, but something has changed as lots of us are feeling it and I don’t think it’s all economic / consumer led. 

[Katherine1078]

@Alissa-and-Jeff0 We are experiencing the same for the Yosemite Region but also an overall upward trend or higher per night rates. 

[Alissa-and-Jeff0]

Thanks @Katherine1078  for your input.

Our overall nightly prices have increased, but we still have low bookings. Earlier this year, we were like 95-98% booked. Now we are 26% booked. That's a big decrease.  

[Genevieve363]

Hello Allisa and Jeff0,

You are not alone, I have not had any booking in November too and was also wondering why but now I know it’s not particular to me 

[Hugo847]

Same here. Just general seasonality I think, as last year was similar, although we tend to be more selective about opening availability in the winter months anyway.

[Greystone0]

Hi @Alissa-and-Jeff0 ,

Do you only market via AIRBNB? 

On our end, our AIRBNB business has disappeared but our other sources of bookings are doing great. It's very odd as for 5 years, we have consistently maintained a steady stream of bookings via AIRBNB and that is no longer the case. We will lose our superhost next quarter as we cannot obtain bookings here. Despite having a very booked calendar for this same listing from other resources.

We do all the things to keep our AIRBNB listing fresh: update title, photo swapping, run promotions, aggressively lower pricing, and on-and-on. In Oct & Nov we offered lower price per night via AIRBNB and didn't book a single night with this lower pricing. Meanwhile, we have other bookings at a higher price per night. A good result but didn't net us the needed reservations to keep us in superhost land. A big disappointment.

We think it is because we are no longer being seen on this platform as the algorithm isn't putting us forward or maybe the type of guest that chooses us no longer uses this platform (?).

For a guest, the method to find a listing has become way to curated and not enough flexibility or natural perspective and so what a guest is being shown is perhaps an odd assortment of factors that may or may not tickle their fancy and so the result is that listings that used to shine are no longer shiny.

Wishing you much success!

[George2351]

I experienced the same thing!

truth is, I feel like it is the month that will have to be more price competitive; however, you have December right after. In my opinion, it averages out!