How to improve your listing as you go

Successful Hosts know their listing is never really done – they find opportunities to evolve at every step of the journey. You can update your listing to highlight popular features, reflect any changes to your space, or be more competitive.

Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas:

Guests don’t always read your description, but they’ll almost certainly flip through (and study!) your pictures. So if you’ve recently redesigned your space, added some new amenities, or simply have a little more time or budget to spend on photography, consider a refresh.

• Prioritise your cover photo. Your cover photo is what appears first in search results, so make sure it’s one that catches travellers’ attention.
• Add brief captions. Captions help guests learn important info about your space, such as if there’s a king-sized bed in the master suite or a fancy espresso machine in the kitchen.
  
• Hire an expert. Professional photography can pay for itself. Check if Airbnb offers professional photography in your area.
• Take photos like a pro. There’s a lot you can do to improve your listing photos using a smartphone. Get better DIY photos with these photography tips.

Try to keep your listing details as accurate and up to date as possible. For example, if you no longer have access to the community swimming pool, make sure you remove any mention of it.

• Streamline your description. Most guests don’t have time to read through lots of details, so focus on the things they care about the most.
• Showcase your hosting style. By now, you’ve probably got a better sense of the kind of Host you are. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your listing details.
• Speak to the guests you want to attract. Maybe you’ve been hosting lots of families or business travellers. Consider adjusting your tone to speak to those types of guests, and highlight the features that will appeal to them most.

Have your guests asked for a hair dryer? Mentioned there’s no kettle in their reviews? This is all great feedback – use it to decide what to purchase for your space, and make sure you update your amenities list once you’ve added them. Here are some of the most sought-after amenities:*

• A pool
• Wifi
• A kitchen
• Free parking
• A hot tub
• A washing machine or dryer
• Air conditioning or heating
• Self check-in
• Laptop-friendly workspace
• Pets allowed

If you're new to hosting on Airbnb, you may consider setting a nightly rate below market value to help make your listing more attractive. Once you’ve been hosting a while and have some positive reviews to bolster your listing, consider revisiting your price to find the most competitive rate.

Airbnb’s search algorithm considers more than 100 signals to match guests with the listings they want.

Use guest feedback – the glowing reviews and the less-than-stellar ones – to help you fine-tune your listing. Did they rave about your outdoor patio? Try featuring it in photos. On the other hand, maybe guests were surprised to find the location wasn’t super convenient for getting to and from the airport. Being clearer about this type of information in your listing description will help set expectations for future guests.

If you can use these learnings to improve your listing, you’ll be on your way to more bookings, happier guests, and higher ratings – and you’ll be one step closer to Superhost status.