Hostaway has released a new Vrbo Optimization Guide based on data from high-performing listings connected directly to Vrbo. The analysis reviewed booking behavior, listing attributes, and operational settings, revealing a small set of practices consistently shared by hosts that outperform their peers.
Three takeaways stood out:
1) Comprehensive amenity details
90% of top-performing listings include 40 or more amenities. This level of detail allows listings to appear in more filtered, intent-driven searches, improving discoverability and alignment with guest preferences.
2) Professional, high-volume photography
80% of leading listings feature at least 35 high-quality photos. Strong visual coverage helps guests quickly understand the property, reduces uncertainty, and increases trust when images closely match the written description.
3) Clear location positioning
High-performing hosts are far more likely to clearly specify the properties location type, with things like: beachfront, mountain view, or city center. This improves visibility in filtered searches and better matches listings with guest intent.
Across all three, the common thread is structured detail. As AI-driven search becomes more prevalent across booking platforms, listings with complete information and strong trust signals are more likely to surface in recommendations and convert into bookings.
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