new listing boost

[David3903]

My kids will soon be out of our home and I am thinking of renting our master suite with separate entance.  In my research I found a video claiming that Airbnb has a 5 week boost for new listings.  I can't seem to confirm this.  Is this true?  If this is true, I would like to complete my digital guidebook before I submit my listing but this doesn't seem possible.  Better question, when does the 5 weeks start?  Thank you so much for the information.

[Ana1136]

@David3903 this is the first time I hear about this 5 week boost. Just try to make the most out of your Airbnb account, start with a bit lower prices to get a few good reviews, write a good description and take great bright pictures. Good luck! 

[Jeff158 · Accepted solution]

@David3903 

It starts when you publish your listing, you'll get a little sign saying "NEW" and can offer a discount for the first 3 bookings. As soon as you publish the listing instant booking will be ON and would recommend switching it off, at least until you've got everything as you want it.

The link below will answer lots of questions about how to alter your listing.

Good luck

ps. 5 weeks sounds a bit short, I thought it was 3 months but its a while since I put a new listing on.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/all_topics

[Ute42]

.

Hi @David3903 

yes, there is a boost. In the first couple of days or weeks  You'll get more exposure and bookings compared to later. I don't know the exact timeframe.

But this is not a written policy, everyone  knows it though.

[Ann489]

@David3903   It seemed like ours was boosted for the first two weeks or so.  After we had listed, I searched for Boise Airbn's from a different computer(not logged in to my account), and I was able to see our listing on the first page with the "new listing" logo.   I was never aware of any particular timeframe....like I said, it was more like two weeks.  🙂

[David3903]

Thank you fellow Boisean.  

[David3903]

Ann, as a Boise host, did you need to get some administrative approval from the city, or rental license?  Or Any problems with your HOA? The city web site doesn't seem to mention STR's.   

[Ann489]

@David3903   last night, you sent me your questions above, disguised as a booking request.  Please note that this is not ok.  Naturally, I have to decline since you are clearly not interested in booking our guesthouse.  This affects my acceptance rate in a negative way and I have to justify to Airbnb  why I declined a reservation.  Every listing has a "contact host" button which is better suited to making inquiries.  Thanks!

[Ann489]

@David3903    there is no approval required in Boise.   STR are, as of yet, not regulated here in Idaho.  We do, however, pay the appropriate taxes to the State and city.  Hope that helps.

[David3903]

I received a gentle reminder from the Trust and Safety officer about this very thing.  I am going to guess it will affect my status as a guest not your host status as you did everything right.  At least, I never intended to affect you in a negative way.  I did try to send 'message to host'  without a proposed date set but it would not let me.  I appreciate your willingness to help me, and I hope Airbnb can also see your efforts to help them educate their new hosts in a positive way.  Again, I am sorry for the mistake and I will endeavour to give back to this community in the future as I grow as a host.  In kind regard, David.  

[Ann489]

@David3903  unfortunately, it does affect my acceptance rate since it was a "booking request".  Airbnb is very guest-centered and lacking in the host support department--but that's a whole other story.  😉

Anyway, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have....try and message me through the "contact host" button...you should have no problems doing so.   Unfortunately, Airbnb blocks out any phone numbers/contact info sent through their messaging system.

[Susan17]

@David3903 @Ann489 

David, you can send a private message to Ann if you click on her profile here in the CC. It's very glitchy, but works sometimes! 

[Susan17]

Also, the "newbie boost" is not set to a specific timeframe, such as a fixed number of weeks, but is based on a the number of nights booked, over a number of months. (I've been told off the record that it's 50 nights, over 3 separate months, but I have no official confirmation of that, so it's just hearsay. I've also heard that it can vary from region to region, depending on saturation levels)

[Jonathan942]

I am not sure how to feel about the new listing boost. It certainly worked for one of my listings. On the one hand, the potential higher number of bookings is a welcome increase in the short term revenue of the property. On the other hand it inflates, distorts the reality of what lies ahead for the property in the short - medium term. Expectations are raised, a level of comfort is created for the new participant, who had other choices or routes to take with the property before they committed to the platform. After the boost, reality kicks in irrespective of the quality of the listing and the host performance. On balance of things, this is a deliberate effort by the platform to false hype a property at the start. The additional revenue is in significant over the long term. The reviews and bookings does give some kind of credibility that otherwise would not have been there int he early stages. Can the more experienced Hosts give an opinion.