What Affects A VRBO Listing’ s Ranking?
RELEVANCE
VRBO’ s search algorithm filters for listings that match the guest’ s search criteria. The more relevant and exact match a listing is to the guest’ s search, the higher it will rank in the results. Our teams and property managers take great care to make sure that all relevant and necessary home features are turned on to help your property show up in searches on VRBO.
GUEST REVIEWS
Listings with more positive guest reviews tend to rank higher in search results. After every stay, our guest focused teams reach out through VRBO’ s platform as well as our internal review platform to solicit reviews and feedback about the guest’ s stay.
RESPONSE RATE
VRBO rewards hosts who respond quickly to inquiries and booking requests. The reward is higher rankings in search results for their listings. Our Guest Experience team diligently monitors booking requests through the VRBO platform each day to ensure that your home books as quickly as possible.
CONTENT UPDATES
VRBO often prioritizes homes with on-page content that has been recently updated. Such updates include( but are not limited to) new photos, new reviews, and new dates that have been recently opened up. Our internal distribution team meets with our VRBO representative to review how homes are performing and audit properties to refresh listings on the VRBO platform on a regular basis.
BOOKING RATE
VRBO considers a host’ s booking rate when determining search rankings. Homes that consistently receive bookings tend to rank higher in search results. Approximately 80 % of 360 Blue homes on the Emerald Coast and Forgotten Coast are booked directly on our direct booking websites. As a result, listings on VRBO may not rank as high as homes represented by companies that rely more heavily on them. Direct bookings, however, allows guests to avoid fees that VRBO imposes on them and allow us to provide homeowners with a higher return on each booking.
LISTING QUALITY
From the title to the description to the photos, the quality and attractiveness of the listing impacts the number of views and bookings a particular home receives. This, in turn, helps it rank higher in searches. Our internal communication teams write each property description to entice guests to book by highlighting the features and amenities they are looking for in a vacation home while following SEO best practices to help your home rank higher in search engine searches.
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations greatly impede a listing’ s ranking. If we, as a company, have to move a guest or cancel a reservation prior to arrival due to an issue with the home, it will negatively affect the ranking of the home for an extended period of time.
PRICING
VRBO looks for properties that are competitively priced in the local market. Listings with lower prices tend to rank higher in the search results. Our internal revenue teams meet regularly to adjust rates for homes and our communities, making sure your home is competitive within its particular community and among homes with similar features and amenities.
AVAILABILITY
VRBO takes into account a home’ s availability. Those with greater availability tend to rank higher in search results. As a result, we strongly encourage homeowners to make sure they are opening their calendars prior to booking season each year to improve their ranking.
If you’ re still unable to find your home, please provide the details of your search to your Property Manager so we can troubleshoot and help.