Not Getting Airbnb Bookings After Having Calendar Blocked For Several Months

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Not Getting Airbnb Bookings After Having Calendar Blocked For Several Months

AJ Satcher
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2021 · 133 posts · 60 votes

Hi all,

So it's been almost 3 weeks with no Airbnb booking. This is for my 1 bed 1 bath unit and for the past 6-7 months, I had it blocked off on Airbnb because I had a mid term tenant in there. We typically use this unit as a mid term rental and then in between time while we try and fill the vacancy, we list it on Airbnb. We have done this for over a year now and this strategy has gone really well.

We are very experienced in the STR space and understand that getting bookings is multi-faceted (ie. listing photos, reviews, amenities, PRICING, description, seasonality, etc). I've been tweaking nearly everything and still nothing. The pricing is very competitive and I feel like if I drop it any more, it just won't make sense.

I'm not really sure whats going on now and I'm trying to solve the problem. I'm wondering if I'm being penalized in some way for having my calendar blocked for so long. I'm in the Decatur, GA area. Any thoughts?

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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
1y

Hey @AJ Satcher. So I am not completely sure but maybe it is because it was blocked for so long. It is possible that it has been moved way down the list.

Have you tried searching on a private or incognito browser to see where it shows up when you do a search? Then you might see where you fall in the list. Must be a lot of competition in the Decatur area?

Next up I would give AirBNB a call or send an email and ask them about it. They might be able to tell you why and help you move it up the search results for a while to help.

I agree that lowering the pricing could be a mistake. You will start getting the dregs who could trash your place.

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  • Trent Reeve
    Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 712 posts · 642 votes
    1y

    what i always look at is 1st, bookings are slow everywhere. 2nd, what would drive visitors to the area? Decatur isnt exactly a hot spot. Now i have heard, blocking the calendar off for any bit of time will drop you in search rankings. have you tried using Incognito and searching for your property on Airbnb and see where you show up?

    0Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y

    Hey @AJ Satcher. So I am not completely sure but maybe it is because it was blocked for so long. It is possible that it has been moved way down the list.

    Have you tried searching on a private or incognito browser to see where it shows up when you do a search? Then you might see where you fall in the list. Must be a lot of competition in the Decatur area?

    Next up I would give AirBNB a call or send an email and ask them about it. They might be able to tell you why and help you move it up the search results for a while to help.

    I agree that lowering the pricing could be a mistake. You will start getting the dregs who could trash your place.

    2Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:

    Hey @AJ Satcher. So I am not completely sure but maybe it is because it was blocked for so long. It is possible that it has been moved way down the list.

    Have you tried searching on a private or incognito browser to see where it shows up when you do a search? Then you might see where you fall in the list. Must be a lot of competition in the Decatur area?

    Next up I would give AirBNB a call or send an email and ask them about it. They might be able to tell you why and help you move it up the search results for a while to help.

    I agree that lowering the pricing could be a mistake. You will start getting the dregs who could trash your place.


     That's a good idea!

    Search for yearself and see what's what.

    0Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y

    I would also recommend getting on the VRBO platform immediately.  For some reason, certain areas seem to do better with VRBO, others with Airbnb.  

    [email protected]806-672-7102
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    1Reply
  • Mike GrudzienPro Member
    Lender · Eugene, OR · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Have you looked to see if your competition is doing better?

    Mike

    0Reply
  • AJ Satcher
    OP
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2021 · 133 posts · 60 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:

    Hey @AJ Satcher. So I am not completely sure but maybe it is because it was blocked for so long. It is possible that it has been moved way down the list.

    Have you tried searching on a private or incognito browser to see where it shows up when you do a search? Then you might see where you fall in the list. Must be a lot of competition in the Decatur area?

    Next up I would give AirBNB a call or send an email and ask them about it. They might be able to tell you why and help you move it up the search results for a while to help.

    I agree that lowering the pricing could be a mistake. You will start getting the dregs who could trash your place.


     Great points, thank you

    0Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    I second what Colin said about getting on VRBO and other channels too (Booking.com?)

    Also Airbnb does prioritize things like looser cancellation policies, instant book, in line with market cleaning fees, etc.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
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  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    I would say your property is probably pretty far down the list since it was blocked off for months. The algorithm is properly ignoring your listing now. Instead, I've heard of hosts raising the nightly rate high enough it won't book or setting a 30-day minimum stay and had no issues with a double booking. I've never done that but it's a suggestion you could consider.

    [email protected]330-557-3021
    1Reply
  • AJ Satcher
    OP
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2021 · 133 posts · 60 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

    I would say your property is probably pretty far down the list since it was blocked off for months. The algorithm is properly ignoring your listing now. Instead, I've heard of hosts raising the nightly rate high enough it won't book or setting a 30-day minimum stay and had no issues with a double booking. I've never done that but it's a suggestion you could consider.

    Just did an incognito search and yea, the listing is buried now

    1Reply
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