How to increase VRBO rankings

Question

Hey all, we get 95% of our bookings from Airbnb but our VRBO bookings seem to have fallen off of a cliff. We rank well on Airbnb, how do we increase our ranking on VRBO? Are there any tips, blogs or videos to share?

We're also pursuing direct bookings, I'd just like to boost the VRBO rankings also...

Lauren Kormylo · Answer

Vrbo has had some major problems lately.  Many hosts have found their descriptions messed up - the property description turned into one run-on paragraph that made it almost unreadable, text inserted saying the community has a water park when it doesn't, weird things like that.  It happened to me and many others.  So I recommend you look at your listing in incognito mode.  Make sure it's showing up, and as you listed it.

Vrbo will give your listing preference if you update it frequently, meaning at least weekly.  Change the title, change a few sentences in the description, change the caption on photos, or add new photos, etc. It doesn't have to be major, but frequent tweaks will help.

Andrew Steffens · Answer

Our VRBO rep told us a lot of the same things Airbnb has told us on how to increase rankings:

1. Looser cancellation policies

2. Instant book

3. More content on listing (more photos, more copy).  Also changing the content - essentially updating it.  We do this quarterly.

4. Not cancelling on guests.

5. Reviews/rating

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

@Lauren Kormylo gave all the suggestions I would have, but I'll also add that VRBO pushes listings that have 30+ photos closer to the top of the list.

Brooklyn McCarty · Answer

VRBO takes time.

Keep at it. Keep optimizing and you’ll get it!!

Michael Baum · Answer

Our VRBO bookings have dropped to about 50% of our bookings. Before we were closer to 85% VRBO.

Not sure why.

Leslie Anne Morris · Answer

VRBO is tough for me also.  I think if you book often on one platform it limits you being seen on the other one simply due to calendar availability.  What's your cancel policy?  VRBO said moderate performs the best with them, you could try changing that.

Ryan Moyer · Answer

Anecdotally, I've found VRBO to be very momentum driven.  I have similar properties in a similar area to each other and some get tons of bookings on VRBO and others have never had one.  Once a property picks up a few and it goes well, it tends to stick for a while.

How to increase VRBO rankings

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