How to select and add high-quality photos

Photos help attract guests’ attention when searching on Airbnb. Your images should give a clear and accurate idea of your service and inspire guests to book.

Every photo you share should be high quality. Each image should have a resolution of at least 800 x 1200 pixels and a file size of up to 10 megabytes.

Submit photos that are:

• Taken by you or used with permission
• Well lit, preferably by natural light
• Simple in composition and background
• Focused, with the main subject in the centre
• A mix of close-up details and broader compositions

Do not submit photos that are:

• Abstract images or excessive close-ups
• Cluttered or overly busy
• Dark or use extreme flash
• Collages
• Multiple versions of the same photo
• Of logos or brands

If any of your photos show someone’s face, make sure you have their permission to use it.

Photos are displayed in three places on service listings: as a cover photo, in a list of your offerings and in a photo gallery.

Submit at least five photos in total, including one for each offering. If you provide a photography service, select at least 15 images to represent your portfolio.

We’ll review the photos you add and approve images that meet our standards. Here’s what you should submit for each section.

Cover photo. This image appears at the top of your listing and should help guests get a sense of the service you provide. A successful image is:

• Horizontal
• Simple and uncluttered
• Centred, with room to crop on all sides

Avoid images with plain white backgrounds or close-ups of people’s faces.

Your offerings. Offerings are what guests will book – think of them as your price sheet or menu. Add one distinct image that accurately represents each of your offerings. These photos are small, so choose simple scenes that are easy to understand. Strong images are:

• Focused on a single element, with a clean background
• Similar in composition

Photo gallery. This is a chance to show potential guests not only what you provide, but who you are. Guests can view all the images you share in a photo gallery. Choose photos that illustrate:

• Your process and preparation
• The tools, equipment or ingredients you use
• Your business location, if you plan to have guests come to you
• The end result of your service, such as guests enjoying their meal

Make sure you have permission to use any photos you submit, and that the images accurately reflect your service.

All hosts, photos and listing details must meet the standards and requirements for Airbnb Services.

If you provide a massage or spa service, you won’t need to submit photos for your listing. We’ll select photos for you from a library of professional photos that illustrate these services.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.