Optimizing your listing SEO

[Kathryn807]

Hi there - I am new to hosting and am having a hard time getting my listing shown in search. It was showing up for a minute but now I can't really see it. I've tried toggling the price a couple times, have added better photos, opted-in for Instant Book, but I still can't see it.

Any tips?

[Shelley159]

Wow @Kathryn807 this is a tough one! Usually when a listing isn't showing, it's a sure bet to lower the price and it'll move up. However, you're already way below what most listings in your area charge for 8 guests, you have flexible cancellation and you've opted in for Instant Book. Your minimum stay is only 2 nights and the one review on file is good. I don't see any issues with your listing, and it's definitely live in the search results - the problem is just that I have to zoom to see it.

I tried Forestburgh, Livingston Manor and Catskills and I don't see you one the first 5 pages for any of those terms. How long has the listing been live - do you qualify for custom promotions? I see you have some dates unavailable - are those Airbnb bookings, from another site or blocked dates?

[Kathryn807]

Hi Shelley - the blocked dates are bookings. The listing has been up for about 2 weeks

[Shelley159 · Accepted solution]

OK @Kathryn807 if they're bookings from Airbnb, then it looks like you have 4 coming up and one already done. Five bookings in just 2 weeks is not bad at all - hopefully the bot will push you higher up again soon!

If I were you I wouldn't worry too much about search placement for now, as the bookings are coming in. I checked your "raw" placing in private mode (as you probably also did), but logged-in guests will see different search results based their profile (so for some people searching you may be ranking well right now).

Once you have a 60-day history on Airbnb, you can rather increase your base price and run a custom promotion (instead of lowering the price manually). This could help give you a further boost (but while you're so new custom promotions aren't available yet, so you'll have to wait it out).

I know you want to rank well and get things off to a good start, but for the future you could look into the possibility of an extra-guest fee after a certain number of guests (instead of pricing the listing as a whole, with the same rate from 1 to 8 guests).

If you look at the search results for 8 guests, you'll see that your price is very competitive for 8 (it will be less so the fewer guests you put in the search box).

Personally I prefer the per-unit pricing like you have (it keeps things simple, and if someone books for 6 and an extra kid comes along on the trip in the end, it doesn't cause friction between host and guest). However, by the next off season you may have increased your overall price, and then it may be good to have an affordable option for just 2 guests to fill the nights. Just something to keep in mind, but see what works best as you go!

[Kathryn807]

this is so helpful, thank you so much Shelley!!!!

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @Kathryn807 😊,

You're off to a great start—5 bookings in 2 weeks is impressive! As @Shelley159 pointed out, your listing is already doing well, and it can take time for Airbnb’s algorithm to stabilize your placement. Since you’ve enabled Instant Book, set a competitive price, added good photos, and kept a flexible cancellation, you’ve already covered the essentials.

Shelley also gave great advice about extra guest fees, which can help in off-season or for smaller groups. Once you reach 60 days on the platform, you’ll be able to use custom promotions, which may give your visibility another boost.

Keep your calendar active, respond quickly, and don’t stress too much—you're clearly on the right path!

[Cristan2]

Hi there Kathryn! Totally understand the frustration. Airbnb search visibility stuff can be tricky, especially when your listing is new.

BUT... here me out. Think of your listing like a sales funnel. The thumbnail and headline are your top-of-funnel tools—they attract. They get the click. That’s where you want to stand out. So please, please please, don't skimp on photos. Airbnb is a highly visual platform. 

Headline Tip: Focus on amenities and home type. 

Use a clear, benefit-packed format like:

Spacious 4BR - Hot Tub - Pool Table - 12 Min to Downtown
Cozy Cottage - 1BR - Hot Tub - 22 Min to Smokey Mnts. 

And lead with what people are searching for, not just poetic descriptions. Example, if you're 5 mins from that state park, put it, that's why they are there. If your in the mountains where folks want that hot tub. Use that. 

Our recent listing is beating all the local stats in an area where we are saturated (more than 11k listings), but the area is "hot" as well. But, we're rising to the top. 

Photo Tip: Think “Scroll-Stopping”

When searching for similar listings in your area, see what blends in—and then do something different. Try testing a brighter cover photo, even having someone on Fiverr enhance it (like deepening the sky or adding warm lighting). This can improve your clickthrough rate, which the algorithm loves. Or if all the photos are bright on that first page when searching for like properties, then go with an outdoor porch with streaming lights to stand out. 

Once they click into your listing, make sure the first 5 images are your most impressive / ammenity driven. Put that hot tub. Or garden. Or outdoor tub, or whatever it may be. That’s your second hook. Avoid repetitive angles or filler shots—keep it visually dynamic. People scroll fast, so think "clarity and contrast."

More views + more engagement = better rank.

Hope that helps! You’re on the right track—keep testing and tweaking. 👍

There's a lot more than that, but that's a great start! 

Let me know if you have any questions about it. 

Cris

[Dennie12]

A little taught to think about. 

Why would people want to be in the area where you're abnb. 

[Timi-and-Istvan0]

You can very easily check what position your listing is in. Open a browser in "New Private" or "New Incognito" mode, type in the city where your apartment is located, and see what position your listing appears in. I just searched from Europe, and if your listing appears on the first page or in the top ten, that is a very good position.

[Mike3531]

I update my calendar often, even if dates don’t change, and respond to every message quickly—it seems to help boost visibility and build trust with guests.

[Mike3531]

I boosted my listing's views by playing around with the title and making the first few sentences of the description really clear and direct. I also started testing image captions with more local keywords. Tracking what works was tricky until I started using * — now I can actually see what changes seem to help bring in more clicks.

*[Link removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Priyanka102]

This is normal for new listings. Airbnb often gives a brief initial boost then visibility drops while it waits for real activity. Make sure your calendar is open, minimum nights are flexible, and pricing is competitive for your exact area. Search in incognito or logged out since results are personalized. Once you get a few bookings and reviews, visibility usually improves. Also, you can check Chalet listing optimization tool for title generator 

[Joan2709]

@Kathryn807 

You have already received some great advice!

I took a quick look and some suggestions:

Missing Amenities & Amenities Details

The algorithm has become super sensitive to missing amenities and amenities details. For example, you say you have coffee in amenities, but have not indicated how guests will make coffee? Look like you have a french press?

Suggest you go to the Amenities section and tap the (+) sign and All. Go through the entire list and make sure you have check off every amenity you have. Then go back to the Edit feature and add all the details indicated by the pencil icon next to the amenity.

Listing Incomplete - Missing Sections 

The algorithm scores for listing completion. You are missing entire sections of you listing? Things like Guest Access, Neigborhood, Getting Around, etc. Suggest you go to the Listing Editor and click every square (Airbnb calls them Cards) on the left side. The right side panel will have areas for you to add information.

Photo Captions

Every photo needs a caption. Not having captions signals the algorithm that your listing is not complete. Explain what the guest can do or experience in the photo: "enjoy toasting marshmallows around the firepit".

Photo Quality

Please get professional photos done by an Airbnb photographer (not a real estate photographer). Many of your photos are tilted, blurry or dark and are not doing your home justice. Do an internet search for Airbnb photographer in the nearest decent-sized city. The cost of professional photos is well worth it for increased bookings and most times is deductible as a business expense. Photos should show "activity" in them. Fireplace should have fire going, TV should be on with a nice screensaver or Netflix logo, Firepit should have fire going and taken at twilight...you get the idea. The saying is "Dead Photos = Dead Bookings."

Title

Your Title should mention the most unique features of your property. "Cottage" sends the signal "small" so don't think you should say Cottage:

Catskills Retreat w/Fireplace & Firepit