Q1 Marketing and Website Updates
Direct Booking Website Updates We continue to prioritize our direct booking channels and enhance our website functionality to better serve our guests and you, our homeowners. Below are a few of the major updates our internal tech and marketing teams have completed in Q1.
Significant Direct Booking Updates
• Booking Widget Calendar Date Picker enhancements to mimic other OTAs in styling and displaying of restriction or booking requirements.
• Image sizing optimization prioritizing mobile rendering speeds
• SEO optimizations on the back end to enhance Large Language Modal and Search Engine Rankings.
Distribution Channel Updates As of January 1, 2026, Vrbo updated its Premier Host program to a stricter, listing-level model rather than portfolio-wide. This required individual properties to meet higher standards. Key updates include a 99 % acceptance rate, 0 % owner-initiated cancellations, and a 4.6 + review rating. The program now features quarterly assessments on Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, and Nov 1.
Key 2026 Premier Host Eligibility Requirements( per listing):
• Bookings / Nights: 5 or more bookings OR 60 + booked nights
• Reviews: 5 or more Vrbo reviews
• Rating: Average guest rating of 4.6 or higher
• Acceptance Rate: 99 % or higher
• Cancellations: 0 % owner-initiated cancellations
Key Changes and Benefits:
• Listing-Level Status: A single underperforming property no longer ruins the status for the entire portfolio. High performers, however, must earn the badge individually.
• Performance Milestones: Vrbo introduced Performance Milestones( 3 tiers) to track and reward performance with increased visibility.
•“ Loved By Guests” Override: If a listing meets the top 10 % market performance criteria( 10 + reviews), a“ Loved By Guests” badge will override the Premier Host badge.
• Evaluation Frequency: Qualifications are reviewed quarterly( Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1) based on the previous 365 days.
Guest Reviews In 2025, the FTC passed a final ruling( 2024-18519 / 89 FR 68034) on how companies must maintain, display, and store reviews across online spaces. While the ruling aims to cut down on purchased or fraudulent reviews in the product market, there are requirements that impact the service and travel industry spaces as well.
Key Takeaways
• Reviews must be treated the same in terms of response and handling— regardless of negative or positive sentiment.
• Suppression or removal of negative reviews is forbidden unless certain criteria are met. This includes: factually incorrect / false claims, information that identifies an individual, and profanity / threats, etc.
• Every guest is provided the same review option post stay.
• The solicitation of positive reviews in exchange for money, products and service, etc. must be clearly included in the review.
Our Commitment
• Our internal teams will continue to read, respond to, and elevate guest concerns to Property Managers and homeowners as necessary.
• Our teams will maintain guest reviews in a manner that is compliant with the FTC ruling. They will also apply a non-biased policy around removal of reviews that applies equally to positive and negative reviews.
360 BLUE • FORGOTTEN COAST • 2026 Q1 REALTOR REPORT 05