7 Ways to increase Airbnb ranking

How can a host increase the Airbnb ranking of their accommodation listing on Airbnb?

AirDNA can answer that for us by analyzing thousands of Airbnb listings to discover the most important factors that affect search ranking. Factors such as CTR, pricing strategy, amenity offering, etc.

Their research found that seemingly small changes, such as optimizing your listing title or adjusting your pricing strategy, can lead to significant improvements in your Airbnb search visibility.

But here are 7 ways to get an Airbnb listing to the top of the list, according to AirDNA’s research…

1. Increase your click-through rate (CTR)

The most powerful factor affecting the visibility of your listing is your click-through rate (CTR). It measures how often people click on your Airbnb listing after seeing it in search results.

For example, if your listing appears in search results 100 times and 10 people click on it, your CTR will be 10%.

AirDNA data found that boosting your CTR can increase your rank factor by up to 5%.  Improving CTR should be the first step in your Airbnb listing optimization strategy.

Here are some practical ways to improve your listing’s CTR:

** Create a compelling, keyword-rich Airbnb listing title: A well-crafted title can grab attention instantly. For example, instead of “Nice 2-bedroom apartment,” try “Clean, stylish 2-bedroom loft—Ideal for families and remote work.” See strategy number 4 for which keywords perform well.

** Use high quality images, especially for the cover image: Listings with clean, bright and professional photos tend to get more clicks. AirDNA data shows that the number of photos has no direct effect on your ranking factor. The first photos are the ones that will affect your CTR the most, so it’s about quality over quantity.

** Highlight Unique Amenities in Your Title: If your listing has a feature that makes it stand out, such as a hot tub or private patio, include it in your title. For example, “Modern cabin with hot tub and mountain view” may attract more clicks than a generic headline, especially if visitors are looking for a relaxing getaway.

2. Consider adding bedrooms

AirDNA’s analysis showed that listings with more bedrooms tend to rank better on Airbnb. Properties with extra space attract larger groups and families, which can boost their visibility in Airbnb search results. Going from a 1 bedroom to a 2 or 3 bedroom listing improves the ranking factor by almost 2 percentage points, while 4 to 5 bedroom properties can gain 3-5 points.

Here’s how you can make the most of your property’s space to improve your Airbnb ranking:

** Emphasize group space in your description: Use phrases like “ideal for family gatherings” or “sleeps up to 8 comfortably” to make it clear that your property can accommodate more people. This may appeal to groups looking for spacious options.

** Add a bedroom (if possible): If you have the space to convert an office or basement for example, into an extra bedroom, it could improve your Airbnb search ranking and attract more guests.

** Consider the number of bedrooms when investing: If you are buying a new rental property, keep in mind that larger properties with more bedrooms tend to rank higher, making them a potentially better investment.

3. Get and keep Superhost status

Achieving Superhost status signals to Airbnb that you are a trustworthy host, which can help your listing rise in the Airbnb rankings. According to AiDNA research, Superhost status can add about 2% to a listing’s rank factor.

Analysis shows that consistently high performance has just as positive an impact as Airbnb Superhost status, so don’t worry if you haven’t been awarded that status.

Here are a few quick ways to achieve and maintain Superhost status or similar high performance:

** Respond quickly: Aim to respond within an hour to visitor enquiries to keep your response rate high and demonstrate credibility.

** Encourage positive reviews: Small details like welcome notes or local recommendations can enhance the guest experience and encourage 5-star reviews.

** Avoid last-minute cancellations: Keep your calendar updated and avoid double bookings to minimize guest cancellations. Airbnb hosts must have a cancellation rate of less than 1% to qualify as a Superhost.

4. Use descriptive keywords

AirDNA research found that using specific keywords in the title and description of your Airbnb listing can significantly improve your rankings.

Here’s how to write and optimize your Airbnb listing on the right terms:

** Highlight cleanliness in your Airbnb title: Using words like “clean,” “spotless,” or “healthy” in your title can boost your ranking factor by more than 4%, even beyond your cleanliness score. Example: “Immaculately clean 2 bedroom loft—safe and sanitized stay.”

** Emphasize privacy and seclusion: If your property offers a private or remote accommodation, using terms like “remote”, “secluded” or “off the grid” in your listing title can add about 3% to your ranking factor. Example: “Secluded cottage with private hot tub—Perfect for relaxation.”

** Display eco-friendly features: Including words like “green” or “sustainable” in your listing description can add over 1% to your ranking factor, appealing to environmentally conscious visitors. Example: “Environmentally Friendly Tiny House—Solar Energy and Sustainable Design.”

** Use innovative terms to highlight updates: Words like “new” and “renovated” can add about 1% to your ranking, even after accounting for the actual age of the vacation rental. Example: “Recently renovated apartment with modern amenities”.

** Include unique experience keywords: Terms like “unique” or “one-of-a-kind” can help you stand out to visitors looking for unique stays, adding about 1% to your ranking factor when added to your listing summary.

** Avoid excessive or misleading terms: AirDNA research found that using words like “view” can lower your ranking factor. Instead, focus on letting high-quality photos showcase your property’s scenic views.

5. Develop a competitive pricing strategy

The AirDNA research shows that price adjustment strategies, especially during the week, can improve your rank factor by up to 3%. According to Airbnb itself, listings that are priced lower than other comparable listings in the area with similar guest capacity and amenities tend to rank higher in search.

Listings in the top 40% price tier for their rental period tend to outperform lower price tiers by 4%. This could be because properties with a higher Average Daily Rate (ADR) serve the growing demand for luxury accommodation and focus on providing a high guest experience.

It is important to be competitively priced within your price range. Among price tiers, however, luxury listings tend to get more exposure in Airbnb search results.

Here’s how you can optimize your pricing strategy:

** Use dynamic pricing: Adjust your prices based on local events, seasonality and demand. For example, increase your prices during a local festival or offer discounts for last-minute bookings to fill gaps.

** Offer discounts for longer stays: Guests looking for a month’s stay often filter out discounts. Offering a weekly or monthly discount can attract more bookings, keeping your calendar full and boosting your rankings.

** Check competitor prices regularly: Check what similar listings are charging in your area, especially during peak periods. Staying competitive with other listings can help keep your property visible in search results.

6. Increase your overall rating score

AirDNA found that increasing your overall review score from 80 to 100 can increase your ranking factor by about 3.4%. Collecting more reviews also helps—each additional 50 reviews can add about 1% to your ranking factor. Cleanliness scores were found to be three times more influential than general evaluation scores.

Focus on these strategies to improve your review scores:

** Cleanliness is key: Consider hiring a cleaning professional, especially before the high season holidays. Set a high standard of cleanliness —guests who are impressed by cleanliness are more likely to leave positive feedback.

** Personalized follow-ups encourage reviews: After guests check out, send a message like: “We hope you enjoyed your stay! It would mean a lot to us if you could share your experience in a review – your feedback helps us improve!” Uplisting, our recommended property management software, can automate this for you.

** Open feedback to the public: If a guest reports an issue in a review, respond publicly to show future guests that you take feedback seriously and are committed to improvement.

7. Showcase quality amenities to increrase Airbnb ranking

According to AirDNA’s analysis, high-quality listings with 8-9 basic amenities receive a better rating and ranking on Airbnb – about 4%.

Here’s how you can make your amenities a factor in boosting your Airbnb ranking:

** Don’t overdo it: While it’s tempting to list all possible amenities, focus on quality, not quantity. Too many amenities can confuse potential guests and reduce the impact of unique features. Optimize your listing by highlighting the essentials (such as air conditioning or a fitted kitchen) and the best features of your property.

** Emphasize unique or luxury features: If you have luxury amenities like a hot tub, fireplace, or fast EV charger, mention them prominently.

** Guest-Centered Amenities: Tailor your listing to attract specific types of potential guests by emphasizing features such as pet-friendly spaces, family-friendly additions (such as cribs or highchairs), or equipment for outdoor adventures (such as bicycles or kayak).

By focusing on these seven proven strategies—based on our research—you can improve your Airbnb listing’s visibility and attract more bookings.