Has anyone else had a lack of Bookings?

[Todd517]

It has been several weeks since I've had a new booking. Is this something that happens this time of year?

[Fred13]

See all the discussions about the 'Summer Release', they speculate on why this is happening.

[Todd517]

So I read a few of them, and it looks like there are some search changes that Airbnb created?  My house still shows up on the searches for homes in Atlanta, but I haven't received a booking in a month. Its bizarre, I was packed this summer from March to August

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Todd517 is a thousand dollars a night competitive where you are?

[Todd517]

I was consistently getting $1100 to $1150 and that was under most homes in my area.  I’ve dropped it down to $999 to see what happens.   But it went from booked solid to crickets.   Very strange 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Todd517 what is your market? If families then with children returning to school you may have to rethink the coming months

[Todd517]

I have had a diverse group, some families, some vacationers. Yes, the fact that school started up could affect things. I just wouldn't think it would go from booked solid to nothing.  I can lower the nightly amount down lower to get some bookings

[Helen3]

Did you do any research on supply and demand for your type of listing in your area for your target customer? If not that should be your starting point .@Todd

you can increase bookings by listing on all relevant listing platforms and by setting up direct marketing channels and taking direct bookings once you have a better understanding of supply and demand. 

[Todd517]

I don't do any research on supply and demand.  Who would be able to help me with direct marketing channels?  How does that work? I have this house listed on Airbnb, vrbo, etc

[Helen3]

I suggest you start doing research into demand and supply for your sort of listing in your area to get an idea of demand and therefore likely income @Todd517  (when you decided to offer short term rentals what were your expectations around income generation/bookings?)

You could look for a local co-host in your area that is a local superhost who understands marketing and ask for their help if you decide you want to invest in direct marketing channels and/or if you want to list on multiple listing platforms. You can agree a fee with them for provide consultancy advice, and a fee for setting up channels etc

By the way Airbnb says hosts should have a clear photo of themselves on their profiles. It instills trust which can only be helpful in attracting bookings.

[Fred13]

@Todd517  Many of us are hoping that some changes/adjustments are coming since surely Airbnb has noticed the abrupt different results their hosts are experiencing in the last 3-4 months.

[Helen3]

I don't think they particularly care about the impact it has on individual smaller hosts as long as it works for larger scale management companies and hosts with multiple listings @Fred13 

[Fred13]

I am afraid you may be quite right.

[Todd517]

What exactly were the changes that were made?

[Sudsrung0]

@Todd517 

Too much to explain, make sure you read many post regarding that subject in here,