Slow 2023

[Kathy1192]

We have 4, soon to be 5 rentals, and have been a super host repeatedly for 4 years. We have noticed over the last year since the algorithm change, it seems the market is overly saturated to be effective with this algorithm setup. 

We have followed every recommendation, we have dropped our rates, we have opened dates, given discounts, you name it. The dashboard says that people are looking, but not renting. This goes against everything that has been historical for 4 years, pre pandemic, pandemic, post pandemic.

we know we offer insane value, and gorgeous, intimate homes. Yet no one can give us an answer that jives. All responses are vague, and we are just to “trust” their word. 

we have referred 6 different hosts to Airbnb, and everyone is saying the same thing.

we raced to have one up prior to Super Bowl, and our listing never even showed up. 
please tell me what I’m missing. I’m coachable,  and will listen, just need some insight to resolve this. Otherwise our only other option is to leave Airbnb, it’s wasting too much time, and tbh it doesn’t feel like anyone is listening, and there’s no escalations. I’m not sure what even to tell my friends who have homes other than to stop relying on Airbnb for traffic and go build their own. I don’t think that’s really what Airbnb or Vrbo (same issues) want.

any advice is helpful. Thank you!

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Kathy1192 Airbnb's revenue rise suggests that they are doing fine. BUT with folks like yourself adding listings the share of a slightly growing market will fall. If we just look at you going from 4 to 5 listings you can expect a 25% drop in bookings for the existing 4. Once people realise this they will leave the market and bookings will recover.

[Dawn241]

@Kathy1192 Economy. It’s slow for everyone. Here’s what we did. 

Added amenities, rewrote listing, added new pictures

started to allow pets

emailed 20% discount to repeat guests

dropped cleaning fee- I do my own cleaning

removed the 24 hour booking buffer

opened the calendar booking window 12 months out

[Alexis825]

I agree with @Dawn241. Instant booking is much more convenient for people, and Airbnb really promotes it, so keeping that open is a good idea. Keep your listing updated for sure, if you're not good with words, find a friend who is to write your descriptions; make sure your photos are well-lit and appealing; update your amenities list (not necessarily adding more, but just making sure nothing has changed since the last time you updated). I have recently seen a drop in my own bookings, so I did some research on what to do to get more bookings, and found some great advice in this article by BnbDuck. 51 ways to improve your Airbnb rankingBnb